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Cuba Gains Independence from Spain
Cuba gains independence from Spain following the Spanish-American War. -
Period of Instability
Following Cuba's independence, there was a period of unrest, which involved revolts, coups, and U.S. military intervention. -
Batista is Elected President of Cuba
Former soldier Fulgencio Batista is elected president of Cuba. He serves his first term from 1940 to 1944. -
Batista's Coup
Batista heading into the election realised he was going to lose. He organised a coup to seize power and succeeded. The Americans scared of Communist spreading into Latin America backed Batista, leading to a strong American influence and industry in Cuba. In return for the industry the U.S turned a blind eye to Batista's actions as a dictator as he got away with racial oppression, and unemployment. leading to a strong distaste for him by the Cuban people. -
Batista as Dictator
Batista did not care about his public perception following his first term and became a much more ruthless dictator than before. Cuba was high in unemployment and had limited water infrastructure. He also formed lucrative links to organised crime and allowed American companies to dominate the Cuban economy. Also became strongly anti-communist which gained him support from the US. Developed powerful infrastructure to silence political opponents. -
Castro Petitions for the Overthrow of Batista
Fidel Castro petitions for the overthrow of Batista, accusing him of corruption and tyranny. His arguments are rejected by the Cuban Courts. -
Moncada Barracks and Fidel Castro
Fidel and Raul Castro led a group of rebels and organised an attack on different military outlets. The attack resulted in failure but was the first stand against Batista's regime. Castro was seen as a hero for standing against Batista. It showed the people of Cuba that there was a movement against the dictatorship. Castro made strong speeches in court which brought morale to the Cuban people in support of Castro. Castro was released to Mexico only after a year of imprisonment. -
Castro in exile
A loyal Cuban Fidel Castro did not give up after defeat at Moncada. His exile in Mexico only strengthened his desire to help Cuba, Fidel started a group known as the "26th of July Movement" which was to honor the date of the failed Barracks attack. This was a group of revolutionaries. This shows Castro is not a person to back down after defeat and is very determined, this personality trait being important in future conflict with the U.S -
Revolutionaries and Guerrilla Warfare
Castro returned to Cuba with 80 rebels but were quickly ambushed by Batista's men and were forced to flee into the mountains. Castro, his brother Raul and friend Che Guevara, went about recruiting Cubans to join their rebellion which was fairly easy as the Cuban population was not happy with Batista. Castro and his rebellion won several fights with the Cuban military always making them retreat. This was due to the Guerrilla Warfare Castro had been taught in mexico. -
Student Revolutionary Directorate Attempts Assassination on Batista
The revolutionary, anticommunist group storm the presidential palace and attempt to assassinate Batista. Their attack failed. -
Batista's Government Continues to Lose Support
Following further instability due to attempted revolts, the U.S. imposes a trading ban with Cuba, further weakening the Batista government. This ultimately weakens Batista's fighting forces, and the Cuban air force, who can not longer repair their aeroplanes without imported U.S. parts. Cuban support for Batista continues to decline. -
Radio Rebelde ('Rebel Radio')
'Rebel Radio', a rebel propaganda radio station, is established, allowing Castro to spread his message nationwide. Meanwhile, Castro's forces continue to gain ground against Batista's forces. -
Operation Verano and The Battle of La Plata
Operation Verano was the event where Batista sent six battalions with both naval and air support to protect the export of sugar and coffee, while also sending four battalions into the mountains Castro was located. Castro's rebel forces engaged and forced the battalions to retreat. The battle of La Plata was where Castro and his forced defied the odds by defeating a battalion of 500 men while only loosing 3. -
Castro's Offensive
Castro began his own offensive, they moved from the mountains where they were located and pushed out to cities and towns. Castro's first major victory was at Guisa and other major towns. Other rebels lead by other people such as Che Guevara, would attack other cities and towns. -
Castro Gains Ground Against Batista
DATE Castro and other revolutionaries stage a series of small, successful attacks against Batistian troops. The Sierra Maestra mountains come under Castro's control. -
Battle of of Santa Clara
The famous battle of Santa Clara which combined three different groups of rebels, Cienfuegos, Revolutionary Directorate and Che Guevara. These combined rebel groups caused the city to fall to them and was the last straw for Batista and it was this loss which caused him to flee Cuba scared for his own life. -
End of Batista's Regime
After Batista fled the Military was ordered not to fight the rebels and the last remaining cities fell to them quickly and easily. All rebel groups were on their way to Havana the capital of Cuba -
Castro arrives in Havana
Castro's final offensive consisted of traveling to and taking major cities and towns the last of which the capital Havana. Castro's final journey was a sort of victory lap before making it to Havana where he would take lead of Cuba. Castro was greeted thankfully by most Cubans as he liberated their towns showing his appeal to his people. Castro would eventual turn Cuba into a communist nation which would be supported by the Soviet Union and have multiple conflicts with the U.S -
Castro as a leader
Castro had an 11 day visit to the U.S where he clearly states his nation is communist. Castro also had powerful figures during Batista's regime put on public trial, and many prosecuted. Castro's first moves were to introduce better rights for Women and Black Cubans. Two of the most notable policies Castro had was free Education and Healthcare for all of his citizens. -
Foreign relations with Cuba
Prior to Castro's Cuba, the U.S owned most of Cuban industry and was their biggest market. Batista did not like the U.S because of their support of Batista. The U.S were scared of the spread of Communism through Latin America. Both of these factors lead to a bad relationship between the two nations. Castro sought to replace the money America brought in to the Soviet Union as they shared ideals. Cuba was involved in a lot conflicts between the U.S and the Soviets such as the missile crisis