Research Outline: Che Guevara

Introduction

I. Che Guevera Background Information

A. Guevara was a Marxist revolutionary who was an important figure in the Cuban revolution. 

1. Guevara’s path to becoming a revolutionary was set during his travels across South America which led him to witness poverty and hunger.

2. Guevara led the revolution against the Cuban dictator Batista who was supported by the United States.

B. Guevara was a controversial figure in many European nations however this image has evolved to a cultural icon. 

1. Guevara was seen as a terrorist as he revolted against the imperialistic goals of many European countries. 

2. “At stake is the meaning of Che Guevara and his position in the historical narrative as his image changed from the radical revolutionary and enemy of the United States during the early 1960s to a cult figure of the 1990s” (Hardt, 1998).

Body

I. Guevara had a strained relationship with the British government as he rebelled against their imperialism. The British were also allies of the United States during the Cuban revolution which further strained Guevara’s position with Britain.

A. The British right-wing party of the government was in opposition to Guevara as they viewed him as a terrorist who was a threat to the interests of the British government. 

B. The British left-wing party of the government supported Guevara as he was a prominent figure who promoted their socialist ideals.

1. “Historically, the British labor movement has been highly successful at negotiating with the capitalist class” (Raman, 2012).

2. The image of Guevara as a revolutionary figure contributing to Latin American revolutions assisted the party in spreading socialist messages while remaining under the capitalist class.

II. The British media and students portrayal

A. The British Media sensationalized Che through its portrayals of his violent actions during the Cuban revolution.

B. British student movement viewed Che as a freedom fighter who could be a symbol for their causes.

1. “The upsurge of student activism has come from the frustrations and intellectual ferment of the students themselves” (Altbach, 1970).

III. Whether Che was a good revolutionary to the British people was largely disputed.

A. For some, he was seen as a freedom fighter while others viewed him as a mass murderer during the revolution.

B. Claims have been made that he has undeservedly received credit for the Cuban revolution which would have occurred despite his contributions. 

1. “The myth of Che, the communist agent, spread by the American press after the victory of the guerrilleros in 1959, was merely a hateful caricature of an important fact” (Lowy, 2007)

Conclusion

I. Despite the mixed views regarding Che he has become an influential figure in not just Britain but all over the world.

A. Opinions of Che Guevera are more tied to a group of political and philosophical beliefs rather than actual historical events or facts.

1. “The values of Che Guevara are still relevant, together with those of his generation. The hopes and dreams of the sixties still resonate at the close a century bereft of utopias” (Castaneda, 1998).

References

Altbach, P. G. (1970). The international student movement. Journal of Contemporary History, 5(1), 156-174.

Castañeda, J. G. (1998). Compañero: the life and death of Che Guevara. Vintage.

Hardt, H., Rivera-Perez, L., & Calles-Santillana, J. A. (1998). The death and resurrection of Ernesto Che Guevara US media and the deconstruction of a revolutionary life. International Journal of Cultural Studies, 1(3), 351-372.

Löwy, M. (2007). The Marxism of Che Guevara: Philosophy, economics, revolutionary warfare. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Raman, P. (2009). Signifying something: Che Guevara and neoliberal alienation in London. Enduring Socialism: Explorations of Revolution and Transformation, Restoration and Continuation, 250.