Fidel and the Cuban Revolution

1
Fidel and the Cuban Revolution

• Fulgencio Batista (1933-44 1952-59) Leader,
  president, dictator of Cuba on and of for several
  decades leading up to the Cuban Revolution.
  Known for repression of his opposition and his
  close cooperation with the United States (both in
  Cold War politics and in business relations.)
  Overthrown by Fidel Castros Revolution in 1959.
• Moncada Barracks Site of Fidel Castros first
  attempt to overthrow dictator Fulgencio Batista
  in 1953. The attack was disastrous for the
  rebels with more than 1/3 of the rebels killed
  either during the fighting or later executed.
  Fidel Castro escaped but was later captured and
  imprisoned until 1955 when he was forced into
  exile in Mexico.
• July 26th Movement - Movement led by Fidel Castro
  and his brother Raul that overthrew Basista in
  1959. Named after the failed attack on the
  Moncada barracks (July 26, 1953) after which a
  number of captured revolutionaries were tortured,
  exiled, or executed.
• Fidel Castro Revolutionary leader who overthrew
  the Batista dictatorship in the Cuban Revolution
  in 1959. Born to a relatively well-off
  land-owning family, Castro received a solid
  education and later entered law school.
  Disillusioned with Cubas corrupt political
  system and its economic dependence on the United
  States, Castro became increasingly radical and
  became a part of several movements to bring about
  reform. After his mentor (Eduardo Chibas)
  committed suicide on the radio after losing in a
  fixed presidential election, Castro became even
  more committed to forcing change. After
  overthrowing Batistas regime in January 1959,
  Castro was instrumental in installing a
  provincial government that government was
  recognized formally by the United States on
  January 7. Nevertheless, sweeping reforms
  alarmed moderate Cubans and U.S. leaders alike
  and after several members of the provincial
  government resigned, and Castro became Prime
  Minister of Cuba in February 1959. Following a
  brief visit to the United States (April 1959) and
  having been rejected by U.S. leaders, Castro
  turned for assistance to Nikita Kruschev and soon
  a strong Cuba-Soviet alliance existed. Because
  of his aggressive social reforms and his alliance
  with the Soviet Union, Castro was branded a
  Communist threat by the United States and Cuba
  became embroiled in several Cold War conflicts
  particularly the Cuban missile crisis (October
  1962) when the Soviets attempted to place
  ballistic nuclear missiles in Cuba. Castro will
  celebrate his 80th birthday on August 13, 2006
  and he remains in power and maintains a
  socialist-style economy/government.
• Che Guevara Ernesto Che Guevara was an
  idealistic physician from Argentina who became
  disillusioned with the effects of capitalism (and
  U.S. imperialism) and traveled throughout Latin
  America trying to spread a Marxist philosophy as
  a way to combat poverty in the region. Che
  became a part of Castros July 26th Movement when
  Castro was in exile in Mexico. Che was
  instrumental in helping to lead the revolutionary
  forces in Cuba and became a part of the new
  government as well. He left Cuba in 1965 to
  spread revolution to other impoverished areas.
  He was killed trying to lead a revolution in
  Bolivia in 1967.