Political power in Cuba weakened and shifted because no single source of authority was stable for long.Batista depended on outside support but once people inside Cuba saw his rule as corrupt and violent his power collapsed quickly.After 1959 Castro gained strong internal control by managing the state and mobilizing the population.When loyalty inside the country faded especially among citizens and political groups force by itself could no longer hold the regime together.They punished Batista supporters through trials and executions.It also shows the limits of power because heavy repression creates fear anger and long term resistance and can increase conflict with other countries.To survive Cuba relied on the Soviet Union for trade weapons and protection which later led to the missile crisis.During the 1950s Batista ruled mainly through government control and force.The more repression he used the more resistance grew and his backing slowly disappeared.Support from the United States also declined through an arms embargo and a failed effort to arrange a new leadership.They also built a large militia.