ause of backwardness in the countryside
             was the cartel nature of agriculture, particularly the sugar industry. A production quota
             was assigned to each cane grower, based on figures originating from 1937. The quota was
             divided into 2 export quotas, one for the US and one for the rest of the world, and 1 quota
             for special reserves. The reserve quota was a major problem since it caused over 1/5 of
             The quota system also fostered inefficiency and prevented the rational use of
             agricultural resources. Primarily, it inflated costs and discouraged new investments.
             Clearly, the goal of modernizing and rationalizing agriculture was not "socialist". Any
             capitalist reformer could have taken a look at Cuba and said that capitalism needed to be
             unleashed in order for the economy to develop. The cartel structure should have been
             smashed and productive agricultural practices encouraged. Along with having to deal
             with the suffering in the many areas, the Cubans had to deal with Batista's corrupt and
             After the attack on the Cuban Army bunkers in Moncada was easily stopped,
             ...