Fidel : A Revolutionary Hero

Fidel Castro was a man who had a target on his head. Lots of people from all over the world wanted him dead. Fidel Castro wasn’t a capitalist person, he was a Communist.

On January 8th, 1959, Fidel Castro and his rebel army marched triumphantly into Havana, Cuba, having overthrown corrupt dictator Fulgencio Batista the week earlier. It was the fruition of the Cuban Revolution, and the dramatic shift in power was about to radically alter the country’s political, social and economic course forever. The positive and negative effects of the revolution on the Cuban people, however, as well as the condition of Cuba’s economy pre and post-revolution, is subject to heated debate. Castro’s iron-fisted regime was the introduction of communism into the western hemisphere, and now, over fifty years later, the Cuban Revolution continues to be one of the most controversial events of the twentieth century. Despite the criticism levelled at Fidel Castro and his communist regime, however, the Cuban Revolution was necessary in improving the quality of life for the majority of Cuban citizens. The four fundamental categories on which to assess this are healthcare, education, economy and governance. By comparing the country’s overall performance under Fulgencio Batista versus under Fidel Castro in these areas crucial to a fully-functioning nation, it can be shown that the Cuban Revolution was a necessary and positive change in Cuban society which benefitted the majority of citizens.

“Castro was born on August 13, 1926, in Birán, a small town in eastern Cuba. His father was a wealthy Spanish sugarcane farmer who first came to the island during the Cuban War of Independence (1895-1898); his mother was a domestic servant for his father’s family who bore him out of wedlock. After attending a couple of Jesuit schools–including the Colegio de Belén, where he excelled at baseball–Castro enrolled as a law student at the University of Havana. While there, he became interested in politics, joining the anti-corruption Orthodox Party and participating in an aborted coup attempt against the brutal Dominican Republic dictator 1950, Castro graduated from the University of Havana and opened a law office. Two years later, he ran for election to the Cuban

Fidel Castro’s Cuban Revolution is still discussed today in many households and academic facilities as one of the most important events that contributed to the current state of many Latin American nations. Due to the importance of this event, it is considered as an emotionally fueled topic for anyone who is associated with the Latin American identity. Many discussions are based on an emotionally fueled response, which give rise to two main arguments. The first of which is that Fidel is a hero amongst Cubans and Latin Americans for revolting against the authoritarian dictatorships prevalent in the region. The counter argument states that Fidel was an even more cruel dictator, who tainted Cuba, along with other Latin American nations. However, both arguments are too simplistic, and do not encompass the common facts that have been outlined in this school of thought. The political critics and theorist that have contributed to the academic discussion include Thomas Wright, Jorge Casteñeda, Peter Winn, and Che Guevara. All have interesting opinions and arguments about the Cuban Revolution, each with a different perspective. After analyzing this school of thought, the Cuban Revolution benefited Latin America as a whole in its early years, as it finally included agrarian reform in the main discussion, and it created the leftist platform that contributed to the “Pink Tide.” However, in the long term, Castro’s regime became more authoritarian and crippled its citizens’ political

At first glance, Cuba is a paradise, surrounded by green landscapes and shimmering oceans, yet internally the fight for power takes over the country. In the 19th century, many Cuban’s wanted to be in power, although all for different reasons. Fulgencio Batista was known as a dictator, seen as the enemy by many, but an ally to the United States. On the other hand, Fidel Castro was fighting against Batista -- opposing everything Batista fought for. These two leaders were conflicting, both in their goals for the country of Cuba, and their allies.

In my 27 years on this planet, I have heard little to nothing about the revolutionist and Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Of the small amount of conversation which has occurred in front of me, Castro was always described in a negative way. He was described as a cruel, selfish Communist dictator who is against the ideas and beliefs of my own country. For those reasons, I have never bothered educating myself about Castro and his life. Now that I am older, my education has presented the opportunity for me to get to know Castro and see things from his perspective, the non-American perspective. Because I am curious about Castro 's rise early life, rise to power, and accomplishments during his rule, I have

Born near Biran, Cuba on August 13th, 1926, Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz was the third child in his family out of six children. Castro grew up in an extremely wealthy environment, as his father was from Spain, and made much of his money off a sugar plantation that he owned. Growing up, Fidel was talented intellectually and attended El Colegio de Belen. However, as a young man, he was much more interested in sports than school. In high school, he was one of the pitchers for the baseball team. Fidel’s last name was changed from Ruz to Castro after being formally acknowledged by his father at age 17. Castro enrolled in law school at the University of Havana shortly after graduating from El Colegio de Belen in 1945. At the university, he became involved in politics and

This week’s readings followed the perspectives of the United States and Cuba through multiple transitions of power throughout the mid-20th century and late 21st century. U.S. policies implemented by the various presidents over this sixty-year span were unable to solve previous hegemonic and interventionist ideologies. On the other hand, Cuba pre- and post-Cold War was a growing power that gave voice and representation to nations who had been previously colonized and dominated by bigger superpowers. Cuba wanted to end ties with the United States, a nation who had been instrumental in preventing their goals and fight for their struggles. Fidel Castro represented the legitimacy of Cuban goals and pursuits of nationalism across the world. On the

Fidel Castro was a Cuban political leader. During his presidency, Fidel contributed to the communist government. Although he did not at first believe in communism, he transformed Cuba into a communist country. Castro began the revolution in Cuba(Biography). Fidel's leadership had many positive and negative effects on his citizens; however, many of his decisions created problems for his people and other countries. Therefore, his decisions were often criticized. He generated grief and misery for many of his people(Vasquez). Fidel Castro had many beliefs surrounding a country's economy. However, through the leader's many attempts to help Cuba, he instead put them through hardship.

Castro started his life with a family that was well off, which he gave up to fight for what he believed in. He fought for freedom and became what he fought to begin with. Castro was born Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz to Lina Ruz Gonzalez and Angel Castro y Argiz on his father’s farm near Birán (Schlesinger). In late 1945 Castro went to University of Havana to study law and became immersed in the political climate of Cuba (Boadle).Castro finally gave control of Cuba to his brother in 2006 due to no longer being able to run the country(Boadle). Fidel Castro, the child of a well-off spanish-born landowner, established the first communist state in the western hemisphere, overthrew the dictatorship of Fulguero Bastita, and ruled for five decades

The end of 2016 brought shocking news that left many people around the world stunned, when the announcement of former Cuban leader, Fidel Castro, was declared dead. As soon as the news erupted, Miami was filled with people celebrating Castro’s death, and majority of Cubans living in the United States were filled with happiness. Many Cubans risked their lives and left everything behind to leave their country under Castro’s ruling, so to them this was the beginning a new Cuba. However, what did this mean for the people in Cuba? Fidel Castro’s brother, Raul Castro, had been in office since 2008, so did Fidel’s death really signify the end of an era and the start of a new and better Cuba? Many were left pondering of what this meant for the future

Fidel Castro had a background of being interested in politics and supporting what he believed in. Castro was born on August 13, 1926. His father was a spanish immigrant, who made a fortune building rail systems to transport sugarcane. Since he was a young man Castro began to get interested in politics. Castro became involved in revolutionary politics while he was student in the year of 1947. He was able to balance both his school work and his person loved interested that were politics. “Castro took part in an abortive attempt by dominican exiles and Cubans to overthrow dictator Rafael Trujillo” according to /this-day-in-history/fidel-castro-born. It is very hypocritical how he wanted to overthrow Rafael Trujillo because he was a dictator and

A very historical period for the U.S and Cuba, which still affects our country today was the Mariel boatlift. Fidel Castro was a very cruel and strong dictator. In the country of Cuba, immigration policies were extremely strict. The process of being able to leave and come into Cuba was very long and difficult. In 1980, these policies were temporarily lifted. Castro allowed any Cubans who hoped to live the American dream, to emigrate to the U.S. He provided boats for them in Mariel, Cuba launching the Mariel boatlift.

In 1959 Fidel Castro attempted to overthrow dictator Fulgencio Batista; Castro led a revolutionary movement in a guerrilla war against Batista 's forces. "As anti-Batista sentiment grew, Castro took a leading role in the Cuban Revolution which eventually ousted the president."(Stevenson 118)Once in power, Castro nationalized American property and because of this the United States diplomatic relations with Cuba were cut in 1961. Even prior to the break in relations, President Eisenhower agreed to a CIA-backed plan to overthrow Fidel Castro. When John F. Kennedy was elected, he was informed of the CIA 's plan. The newly elected president, unfortunately approved of the plan to attempt an uprising in Cuba against Fidel Castro.

In 1940 to 1944, communist Fulgencio Batista withheld power as the president of Cuba and then from 1952 to 1959, United States backed dictator until fleeing Cuba because of Fidel Castro’s 26th of July Movement. Socialist Fidel Castro governed the Republic of Cuba as Prime Minister from 1959 to 1976 and then as President from 1976 to 2008. Fidel Castro’s intent was to provide Cuba with an honest democratic government by diminishing the corrupt way in which the country was run, the large role the United States played in the running of Cuba as well as the poor treatment & the living conditions of the lower class.