Widely considered one of the most progressive constitutions at the time, it provided for land reform, public education, a minimum wage and other social programs.
Each maneuvered to form coalitions, but public interest was only sufficient to produce a turnout of 57% of the eligible voters.
Ambassador to Cuba, Philip Bonsal assessed the outcome:[3] The final product was generally considered enlightened and progressive.
That legislation, in matters affecting the propertied classes and their American allies, was either not forthcoming or was delayed to the very end of the twelve years during which the constitution was in force....For example, the Constitution established as national policy restrictions on the size of land holdings and an end to common ownership of sugar plantations and sugar mills, but these principles were never translated into legislation.
Under the Constitution of 1940, the separation between the three branches of government remained, but with obvious distinctions: (a) the role of the prime minister was introduced; (b) the executive branch converted to semi-parliamentary form, where half of its ministers could also be congressmen; and (c) Congress’ form was changed to one member in the house for every 35,000 citizens or greater fraction of 17,500, and nine senators per province.
The governor's power to suspend mayors ceased, while the municipalities gained the right to impose local taxes.
In 1953, Fidel Castro's manifesto "History Will Absolve Me" declared the restoration of the 1940 Constitution one of the principal aims of his revolutionary movement.
[6] In 1957, he and two of his fellow revolutionaries in the "Manifesto of Sierra Maestra" announced their intention to restore the 1940 Constitution should they succeed in defeating the Batista dictatorship.