The Cuban Revolution © 2011Clairmont Press

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

1952 Cuban General Fulgencio Batista seizes power in Cuba.Cuban General Fulgencio Batista seizes power in Cuba. He is supported by the United States.He is supported by the United States. Communist Revolutionary Fidel Castro opposes and attacks the Moncada Barracks in Cuba.Communist Revolutionary Fidel Castro opposes and attacks the Moncada Barracks in Cuba. He is arrested and sentenced to prison. He will only serve one year.He is arrested and sentenced to prison. He will only serve one year. Castro flees to Mexico after he is released.Castro flees to Mexico after he is released. Flag of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro, 1959

1955 The Cold War is at its height.The Cold War is at its height. After serving nearly 3 years in prison, Batista gives Castro amnesty and releases him.After serving nearly 3 years in prison, Batista gives Castro amnesty and releases him. Castro meets with fellow Communists in an apartment in Mexico City.Castro meets with fellow Communists in an apartment in Mexico City. This is where he meets Che Guevara, an Argentine doctor and fellow Communist.This is where he meets Che Guevara, an Argentine doctor and fellow Communist. Castro and a small group of leaders, including his younger brother Raul, plan a revolution.Castro and a small group of leaders, including his younger brother Raul, plan a revolution. Cuba is their target.Cuba is their target. Cuban Military Dictator Fulgencio Batista

1956 A group of 80 insurgents set sail from Mexico on board the yacht Granma for Cuba.A group of 80 insurgents set sail from Mexico on board the yacht Granma for Cuba. The Cuban Revolution begins December 1956.The Cuban Revolution begins December The Revolution is nicknamed “26 th of July Movement.”The Revolution is nicknamed “26 th of July Movement.” It will be a civil war and will be fought on an international stage.It will be a civil war and will be fought on an international stage. Despite Batista being an autocrat, the U.S. supports him out of fear of Communism.Despite Batista being an autocrat, the U.S. supports him out of fear of Communism. Granma yacht in Cuban museum

1957 January 17: Castro's guerrillas score their first success by sacking an army outpost on the south coast and started gaining followers in both Cuba and abroad.January 17: Castro's guerrillas score their first success by sacking an army outpost on the south coast and started gaining followers in both Cuba and abroad. March 13: University students mount an unsuccessful attack on the Presidential Palace in Havana.March 13: University students mount an unsuccessful attack on the Presidential Palace in Havana. May 28: Castro's 26 July Movement overwhelms an army post in El Uvero.May 28: Castro's 26 July Movement overwhelms an army post in El Uvero. July 30: Cuban revolutionary Frank Pais is killed while leading a protest of the Batista Government.July 30: Cuban revolutionary Frank Pais is killed while leading a protest of the Batista Government. Raul Castro and Che Guevera

1958 February: Raúl Castro opens a front in the Sierra de Cristal on Oriente's north coast.February: Raúl Castro opens a front in the Sierra de Cristal on Oriente's north coast. March 13: U.S. suspends shipments of arms to Batista's forces.March 13: U.S. suspends shipments of arms to 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 Sierra Maestra to destroy Castro's 300 armed guerrillas. By August, the rebels had defeated the army's advance and captured a huge amount of arms.May: Batista sends an army of 10,000 into the Sierra Maestra to destroy Castro's 300 armed guerrillas. By August, the rebels had defeated the army's advance and captured a huge amount of arms. November 1: A Cuban aircraft en route from Miami to Havana is hijacked by militants, but crashes. The hijackers were trying to deliver weapons to Raúl Castro's rebels. It is the first of many Cuba-U.S. hijackings.November 1: A Cuban aircraft en route from Miami to Havana is hijacked by militants, but crashes. The hijackers were trying to deliver weapons to Raúl Castro's rebels. It is the first of many Cuba-U.S. hijackings. December: Guevara directs a rebel attack and seizure of Santa Clara.December: Guevara directs a rebel attack and seizure of Santa Clara. December 31: Camilo Cienfuegos leads revolutionary guerrillas to victory in Yaguajay.December 31: Camilo Cienfuegos leads revolutionary guerrillas to victory in Yaguajay. Camilo Cienfuegos and Fidel Castro

1959-Current Day Batista’s government is overthrown.Batista’s government is overthrown. Fidel Castro is “elected” Prime Minister of Cuba.Fidel Castro is “elected” Prime Minister of Cuba. 1965: Fidel Castro is named President of Cuba and Chief of Military. He then makes it illegal to have opposing political parties.1965: Fidel Castro is named President of Cuba and Chief of Military. He then makes it illegal to have opposing political parties. The United States under President John F. Kennedy places an embargo and the OAS agrees.The United States under President John F. Kennedy places an embargo and the OAS agrees. Cuba has remained Communist for six decades.Cuba has remained Communist for six decades.