How does the Cuban revolution fit into the larger context of what we have learned about the Cold War in the 1950s?

Because Cuba is a mere 90 miles from the United States, events in Cuba are critical to American interests. This was never truer than during the 1950s and 1960s. In the context of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States, Cuba took center stage and became the subject of dramatic confrontations. Let's explore how this tiny island played a major role in the Cold War and brought the two superpowers to the brink of nuclear war.

Let's begin with the Cuban Revolution. The Cuban Revolution took place from 1953-1959 and resulted in the overthrow of Fulgencio Batista and the creation of a new communist government under Fidel Castro. But revolutions don't just pop up out of nowhere. What led to the Cuban Revolution?

In 1940, Fulgencio Batista came to power as president of Cuba. Initially, he was relatively progressive and had the support of many on the left. Over time, however, he became increasingly autocratic and anti-communist. His anti-communist stance allowed him to garner American support. Batista also made deals with the American Mafia and wealthy American investors, causing many Cubans to see him as an exploiter of Cuban capital. To many Cubans, the corrupt Batista was a 'sellout.'

Facing certain defeat in the 1952 election, Batista assumed dictatorial powers. He suspended the 1940 Constitution and cracked down on any who opposed him. Batista ruled Cuba for the next few years, even as communist revolutionaries like Fidel Castro and Che Guevara rose up against him. Fidel Castro and his brother Raul emerged as leaders of 26th of July Movement, which was a leftist revolutionary organization committed to ousting Batista. The organization was named after their first assault against Batista's government, an attack that happened on July 26th, 1953.

This attack was an utter failure, resulting in the imprisonment of the Castro brothers. Within a year or two, they were released, and they then fled to Mexico where they recruited members for their cause. In 1956, they returned to Cuba to continue their revolution. Hiding in the hills of Cuba, the movement engaged in years of guerrilla warfare against Batista's government. In early January 1959, the movement succeeded in ousting Batista. Batista's government was replaced by a communist government headed by Fidel Castro.

One quick side note. Earlier I mentioned Che Guevara. In case you are not sure who he is, he is the communist revolutionary who, in recent years has managed to become famous for randomly appearing on hipster t-shirts. You know, with long hair and a beret. Yeah, that guy. Yes, he was a leading figure of the Cuban Revolution until he was hunted down and executed in 1967. But that's a whole other story.

Explanation: