Fidel Castro's Involvement In Politics
Biography * Born: August 13th, 1926 * Nationality: Cuban * Political Party: Communist Party of Cuba * Profession: Lawyer and Politician * Spouses: Mirta Diaz-Balart (1948-1955), Dalia Soto Del Valle (1980-Present)
Fidel Castro demonstrated an early affection for power; he read and studied Hitler’s actions and his novel, Mein Kamph as well as Italian Fascist Benito Mussolini’s actions. His early history exposes his intentions for the future clearly, and confirms his interest in Communism. Fidel Castro’s first involvement in Cuban military was the invasion of the Dominican Republic.
Involvement in Politics: * 1950: Fidel Castro became a candidate for Congress for the Cuban People’s Party and was considered the favorite to …show more content…
win the election, however General Fulgencio Batista, with the support of the armed forced took control of the country. * 1953: Fidel Castro launched an attack on the new leader, with the support of other rebels, however he was captured in a failed attack in Santiago de Cuba.
* 1953: As a result of his attempted takeover, Fidel Castro is sentenced to 15 years in jail, however two years later he is given amnesty and travels to Mexico.
Conditions in Cuba at the time: * Batista’s government was very corrupt, and the USA has strong influence there, many United States mafias were welcomed to Cuba, and incentives were given for people to open large gambling casinos to entertain the mob. * During this time, Batista grew richer while the Cuban economy on a whole continued to suffer. * Living conditions were meager for the average citizens and crime rates began to rise significantly. * Prostitution also became prolific as brothels and prostitutes could easily seek support and protection from the government via bribery.
Overall, conditions were not livable and it was not surprising that a group of Cuban revolutionaries would soon find a way to overthrow the …show more content…
regime.
The Second Attack on Batista: * 1956: After building up a significant supply of guns and ammunition, Fidel Castro, along with Che Guevara, Juan Almerida and eighty other rebels, who became known as the July 26th Movement, returned to Cuba in 1956. * Their plan was to set up their base in the Sierra Maestra Mountains, however on the way to their base they were attacked by government troops who were still loyal to Batista.
* By the time the rebels reached the mountains, they were only sixteen men left, with twelve weapons between them. * 1958: Over the next few months the sixteen remaining rebels raided isolated army garrisons and gradually built of a stock of weapons. * When Castro’s army was eventually able to take control of the territory they redistributed the land amongst peasants, and in some cases the peasants joined the army, as did students from cities. * 1959: Batista escaped to the Dominican Republic as the rebels began to gain power. * Many citizens considered suspects were tortured for information regarding Castro’s activity. * In 1948, a group of forty give organizations sighed an open letter supporting the July 23 Movement, in retaliation to Batista’s actions. * Eventually, Castro entered Havana following the triumphant procession through Cuba.
The United States Reaction: * 1960: The United States enforced a partial economic embargo. * 1961: Washington broke off diplomatic relations with Cuba. * 1961: Castro publically declared Cuba a socialist state, and the Bay of Pigs invasion took
place. * 1962: The United States imposes a full trade embargo on Cuba. * 1962: Cuban Missile Crisis: After a thirteen-day standoff, the Russians withdraw missiles from Cuba.
Bay of Pigs Incident: The Bay of Pigs incident was an unsuccessful action by a CIA trained force of Cuban exiles to invade Cuba, with support and encourage from the US government. It was an attempt to overthrow the Fidel Castro. The armed Cuban forces however defeated the US attackers in three days. They reasoning behind this invasion, was that if one nation so close to the US was supporting a communist regime, surrounding countries were much more vulnerable to become communist themselves.
Cuba under Castro: * 1993: Cuba ended the ban on use of dollars. * 1994: The Raft Crisis. * 1996: President Clinton signs The Helms-Burton law, which allowed the US to penalize foreign companies investing in Cuba, into law. * 1998: Pope John Paul II, visited Cuba and condemned the US embargo, advocating greater freedom on the island. * 1999: Castro celebrates 40 years in power over Cuba. * 2001: Castro had to be helped off stage after a near collapse at an open air rally outside Havana. * 2003: Castro is elected by government to serve his sixth five year term as president. * 2004: Following a speech, Castro trips and falls, shattering his left kneecap and highlighting his old age. * 2007: Castro turns 81 and fails to be seen in public again. * 2007: A essay is published by Castro saying he doesn’t intent to hold onto power forever and will not obstruct the path of a young person taking his place. * 2008: Castro is re-elected to parliament. * 2008: Castro reigns as president but says he will remain in parliament.
The
Fidel Castro demonstrated an early affection for power; he read and studied Hitler’s actions and his novel, Mein Kamph as well as Italian Fascist Benito Mussolini’s actions. His early history exposes his intentions for the future clearly, and confirms his interest in Communism. Fidel Castro’s first involvement in Cuban military was the invasion of the Dominican Republic.
Involvement in Politics: * 1950: Fidel Castro became a candidate for Congress for the Cuban People’s Party and was considered the favorite to …show more content…
win the election, however General Fulgencio Batista, with the support of the armed forced took control of the country. * 1953: Fidel Castro launched an attack on the new leader, with the support of other rebels, however he was captured in a failed attack in Santiago de Cuba.
* 1953: As a result of his attempted takeover, Fidel Castro is sentenced to 15 years in jail, however two years later he is given amnesty and travels to Mexico.
Conditions in Cuba at the time: * Batista’s government was very corrupt, and the USA has strong influence there, many United States mafias were welcomed to Cuba, and incentives were given for people to open large gambling casinos to entertain the mob. * During this time, Batista grew richer while the Cuban economy on a whole continued to suffer. * Living conditions were meager for the average citizens and crime rates began to rise significantly. * Prostitution also became prolific as brothels and prostitutes could easily seek support and protection from the government via bribery.
Overall, conditions were not livable and it was not surprising that a group of Cuban revolutionaries would soon find a way to overthrow the …show more content…
regime.
The Second Attack on Batista: * 1956: After building up a significant supply of guns and ammunition, Fidel Castro, along with Che Guevara, Juan Almerida and eighty other rebels, who became known as the July 26th Movement, returned to Cuba in 1956. * Their plan was to set up their base in the Sierra Maestra Mountains, however on the way to their base they were attacked by government troops who were still loyal to Batista.
* By the time the rebels reached the mountains, they were only sixteen men left, with twelve weapons between them. * 1958: Over the next few months the sixteen remaining rebels raided isolated army garrisons and gradually built of a stock of weapons. * When Castro’s army was eventually able to take control of the territory they redistributed the land amongst peasants, and in some cases the peasants joined the army, as did students from cities. * 1959: Batista escaped to the Dominican Republic as the rebels began to gain power. * Many citizens considered suspects were tortured for information regarding Castro’s activity. * In 1948, a group of forty give organizations sighed an open letter supporting the July 23 Movement, in retaliation to Batista’s actions. * Eventually, Castro entered Havana following the triumphant procession through Cuba.
The United States Reaction: * 1960: The United States enforced a partial economic embargo. * 1961: Washington broke off diplomatic relations with Cuba. * 1961: Castro publically declared Cuba a socialist state, and the Bay of Pigs invasion took
place. * 1962: The United States imposes a full trade embargo on Cuba. * 1962: Cuban Missile Crisis: After a thirteen-day standoff, the Russians withdraw missiles from Cuba.
Bay of Pigs Incident: The Bay of Pigs incident was an unsuccessful action by a CIA trained force of Cuban exiles to invade Cuba, with support and encourage from the US government. It was an attempt to overthrow the Fidel Castro. The armed Cuban forces however defeated the US attackers in three days. They reasoning behind this invasion, was that if one nation so close to the US was supporting a communist regime, surrounding countries were much more vulnerable to become communist themselves.
Cuba under Castro: * 1993: Cuba ended the ban on use of dollars. * 1994: The Raft Crisis. * 1996: President Clinton signs The Helms-Burton law, which allowed the US to penalize foreign companies investing in Cuba, into law. * 1998: Pope John Paul II, visited Cuba and condemned the US embargo, advocating greater freedom on the island. * 1999: Castro celebrates 40 years in power over Cuba. * 2001: Castro had to be helped off stage after a near collapse at an open air rally outside Havana. * 2003: Castro is elected by government to serve his sixth five year term as president. * 2004: Following a speech, Castro trips and falls, shattering his left kneecap and highlighting his old age. * 2007: Castro turns 81 and fails to be seen in public again. * 2007: A essay is published by Castro saying he doesn’t intent to hold onto power forever and will not obstruct the path of a young person taking his place. * 2008: Castro is re-elected to parliament. * 2008: Castro reigns as president but says he will remain in parliament.
The