Cuba Revolution

The Republic of Cuba at the beginning of the 20th century was strongly characterized by corruption. Political participation offered the elites numerous opportunities to enrich themselves. There was constant political unrest in Cuba and frequent changes of president, which were often not voluntary. US intervention and violence characterized the country's political life.

Before Fulgencio Batista seized power, the country was characterized by a series of short-lived governments that often received no diplomatic recognition from the USA. These unstable governments were overshadowed by corruption scandals, and promises to fight corruption regularly failed. Political turmoil, protests and rebellions led to a wave of violence, killings and repression by the police and military.

The Cuban Revolution had its origins in the growing dissatisfaction of the Cuban population under the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. Batista, who came to power in a military coup in 1952, ruled the country with an iron hand. His government was characterized by widespread corruption, the suppression of political opponents and close cooperation with the American mafia, which controlled Cuban gambling and other lucrative businesses. The social injustices and economic inequality under Batista created an explosive atmosphere that eventually led to revolution.

Fidel Castro, a young and passionate lawyer, became a central figure in this emerging resistance. Already during his law studies at the University of Havana, Castro became politically involved and founded a student committee against racial discrimination. He joined the Orthodox Party, which was already fighting against the corrupt government of Carlos Prío, the last democratically elected president of Cuba before Batista came to power. Castro's first militant action was his participation in the failed attempt by the Caribbean Legion in 1947 to overthrow the dictator of the Dominican Republic, Rafael Trujillo.

After his marriage in 1948 and the birth of his son in 1949, Castro continued his political commitment. In 1950, he completed his law studies and opened a law firm, but his passion remained politics. When Batista seized power in a coup d'état in 1952 and canceled the parliamentary elections, Castro sued him for violating the constitution. However, this case was dismissed.

This setback strengthened Castro's belief that only an armed uprising could change the situation in Cuba. He organized an attack on the Moncada barracks in Santiago de Cuba on 26 July 1953 in order to trigger a popular uprising. Although the attack failed and many of his comrades-in-arms were killed or captured, this courageous act made Castro famous throughout the country.

After his arrest and sentence to 15 years in prison, Castro used his time in prison to further his political education and make contacts. During his trial, he gave his famous defense speech in which he uttered the historic sentence:"History will acquit me!"

In 1955, he was released as part of a general amnesty and shortly afterwards founded the July 26 Movement, named after the date of the failed attack on the Moncada barracks. This movement, which focused on armed struggle, was the beginning of a long and bloody struggle that ultimately led to the Cuban Revolution. With the support of Che Guevara and other revolutionary fighters, Fidel Castro led the guerrilla fighters in the mountains of the Sierra Maestra. In the following years, they built up a strong resistance movement that gained more and more support from the Cuban population. The guerrilla fighters carried out numerous successful actions against Batista's troops, which earned them nationwide recognition and support.

In December 1956, Castro returned to Cuba with a small group of revolutionaries on the yacht Granma. Despite initial setbacks and heavy losses, the survivors managed to find refuge in the mountains of the Sierra Maestra and continue their armed resistance. Thanks to skillful propaganda and the tireless efforts of the revolutionaries, the movement grew steadily.

By the end of 1958, Castro's troops had made significant progress and controlled large parts of the country. The revolutionaries launched an offensive that ultimately led to the collapse of the Batista regime. On January 1, 1959, Batista fled into exile and the rebels marched triumphantly into Havana.

Fidel Castro and his comrades-in-arms took power and immediately began to implement far-reaching reforms. The nationalization of industries and a comprehensive land reform fundamentally changed Cuba's economic landscape. Social programs to improve healthcare and education were introduced to increase the population's quality of life.

Castro would remain in power for almost five decades, guiding Cuba through numerous challenges and international tensions. One particularly defining event was the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. Through the deployment of Soviet missiles in Cuba and the subsequent confrontation with the United States, Castro played a decisive role in one of the most tense moments of the Cold War.

Under Castro's leadership, Cuba developed into a socialist state that stood up to imperialist influences and showed international solidarity with other revolutionary movements. Despite economic difficulties and the long-standing US embargo, Cuba maintained its independence and revolutionary ideals.