The Cuban RevolutionThe Cuban Revolution

© 2011Clairmont Press

LocationLocation

It’s less than 100 miles from Cuba to the Keys in Florida!

19521952

• Cuban General Fulgencio Cuban General Fulgencio Batista seizes power in Batista seizes power in Cuba. Cuba. • He is supported by the He is supported by the

United States.United States.

• Communist Revolutionary Communist Revolutionary Fidel Castro opposes and Fidel Castro opposes and attacks the Moncada attacks the Moncada Barracks in Cuba.Barracks in Cuba.

• He is arrested and He is arrested and sentenced to prison. He will sentenced to prison. He will only serve one year.only serve one year.

• Castro flees to Mexico after Castro flees to Mexico after he is released.he is released.

Flag of the Cuban Revolution

Fidel Castro, 1959

19551955

• The Cold War is at its height. The Cold War is at its height.

• After serving nearly 3 years After serving nearly 3 years in prison, Batista gives Castro in prison, Batista gives Castro amnesty and releases him.amnesty and releases him.

• Castro meets with fellow Castro meets with fellow Communists in an apartment Communists in an apartment in Mexico City. in Mexico City. • This is where he meets Che This is where he meets Che

Guevara, an Argentine doctor Guevara, an Argentine doctor and fellow Communist.and fellow Communist.

• Castro and a small group of Castro and a small group of leaders, including his younger leaders, including his younger brother Raul, plan a brother Raul, plan a revolution.revolution.

• Cuba is their target.Cuba is their target.

Cuban Military Dictator Fulgencio Batista

19561956

• A group of 80 insurgents set A group of 80 insurgents set sail from Mexico on board sail from Mexico on board the yacht the yacht GranmaGranma for Cuba. for Cuba.

• The Cuban Revolution The Cuban Revolution begins December 1956.begins December 1956.

• The Revolution is nicknamed The Revolution is nicknamed “26“26thth of July Movement.” of July Movement.”

• It will be a civil war and will It will be a civil war and will be fought on an be fought on an international stage.international stage.

• Despite Batista being an Despite Batista being an autocrat, the U.S. supports autocrat, the U.S. supports him out of fear of him out of fear of Communism.Communism.

Granma yacht in Cuban museum

19571957• January 17: Castro's guerrillas January 17: Castro's guerrillas

score their first success by score their first success by sacking an army outpost on the sacking an army outpost on the south coast and started gaining south coast and started gaining followers in both Cuba and followers in both Cuba and abroad.abroad.

• March 13: University students March 13: University students mount an unsuccessful attack on mount an unsuccessful attack on the Presidential Palace in Havana.the Presidential Palace in Havana.

• May 28: Castro's 26 July May 28: Castro's 26 July Movement overwhelms an army Movement overwhelms an army post in El Uvero.post in El Uvero.

• July 30: Cuban revolutionary Frank July 30: Cuban revolutionary Frank Pais is killed while leading a Pais is killed while leading a protest of the Batista protest of the Batista Government.Government.

Raul Castro and Che Guevera

19581958• February: Raúl Castro opens a front in the Sierra de February: Raúl Castro opens a front in the Sierra de

Cristal on Oriente's north coast.Cristal on Oriente's north coast.

• March 13: U.S. suspends shipments of arms to March 13: U.S. suspends shipments of arms to Batista's forces.Batista's forces.

• March 17: Castro calls for a general revolt.March 17: Castro calls for a general revolt.

• May: Batista sends an army of 10,000 into the May: Batista sends an army of 10,000 into the Sierra Maestra to destroy Castro's 300 armed Sierra Maestra to destroy Castro's 300 armed guerrillas. By August, the rebels had defeated the guerrillas. By August, the rebels had defeated the army's advance and captured a huge amount of army's advance and captured a huge amount of arms.arms.

• November 1: A Cuban aircraft en route from Miami November 1: A Cuban aircraft en route from Miami to Havana is hijacked by militants, but crashes. to Havana is hijacked by militants, but crashes. The hijackers were trying to deliver weapons to The hijackers were trying to deliver weapons to Raúl Castro's rebels. It is the first of many Cuba-Raúl Castro's rebels. It is the first of many Cuba-U.S. hijackings. U.S. hijackings.

• December: Guevara directs a rebel attack and December: Guevara directs a rebel attack and seizure of Santa Clara.seizure of Santa Clara.

• December 31: Camilo Cienfuegos leads December 31: Camilo Cienfuegos leads revolutionary guerrillas to victory in Yaguajay.revolutionary guerrillas to victory in Yaguajay.

Camilo Cienfuegos and Fidel Castro

1959-Current Day1959-Current Day• Batista’s government is overthrown.Batista’s government is overthrown.

• Fidel Castro is “elected” Prime Fidel Castro is “elected” Prime Minister of Cuba.Minister of Cuba.

• 1965: Fidel Castro is named President 1965: Fidel Castro is named President of Cuba and Chief of Military. He then of Cuba and Chief of Military. He then makes it illegal to have opposing makes it illegal to have opposing political parties.political parties.

• The United States under President The United States under President John F. Kennedy places an embargo John F. Kennedy places an embargo and the OAS agrees.and the OAS agrees.

• Cuba has remained Communist for Cuba has remained Communist for six decades.six decades.