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Origins
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz was born on the 13th of August, 1926 in Biran, Cuba. He was the third of six children and he was well-off in early life due to the successful sugar plantation that his father owned. His experience with a good education and other things formed a perception that every Cuban was entitled to these things, using it to motivate him to power. -
A Change of Lifestyle
After getting into Law at the University of Havana, Fidel found himself being embroiled in human activism. From there, he made a decision to switch career paths, heading into the army that aimed to overthrow the Batista Government. -
'The Movement'
The Movement was founded by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara on the 12th of June, 1955. The establishment of the group was intended to overthrow the Batista Government, as they perceived them as corrupt. Before this, however, on the 26th of July, 1953, Fidel and 150 supporters attacked the Moncada Military Barracks resulting in 15 years imprisonment. This lead to widespread attention, where the group formed under a foundation of loyal supporters, despising the Batista Government. -
Prime Ministership
On February the 16th, 1959, Fidel Castro is sworn into Prime Ministership of Cuba. This is after Fidel's tactics of 'guerrilla warfare' forced Batista out of government, fleeing to the Dominican Republic and the resignation of Jose Miro Cardona. -
Bay of Pigs
Some 1,400 Cuban Exiles invaded Cuba on the South - Coast of Cuba, attempting to overthrow Fidel Castro's power. Theories have concluded that the Americans were involved in the act, but complete denial followed it. The attempt was a complete failure as they surrendered within 24 hours of fighting the Castro Government. -
A Turn to Socialism
On the 3rd of January, 1961, Dwight Eisenhower broke off diplomatic negotiations between the Cuban government, where Fidel decided that on April the 14th, Cuba was to become a Socialist State. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day 'conflict' at the height of the Cold War. Fidel Castro found himself amongst the tension of the Soviet-American War, where he accepted missiles to be stored in Cuba, ready to launch at the Americans. After 13 long days, a compromise was met, where Cuba was left untouched in exchange for the missiles being deported back to the Soviet Union. -
Ending His Reign
Fidel Castro temporarily appointed his brother, Raul, Presidential power because of his health deterioration. Fidel was unable to regain his strength, where he is still alive today at his home in Havana. Raul was to take over Presidency until 2008.
