Fidel Castro Lily Gomez & Tyreesha Bolton

Early Childhood Born in Biran, Cuba on August 13 th, out of 6 children Father was from Spain, Angel Castro Mother, Lina Ruz Gonzalez, was originally a maid to father’s first wife Fidel was not recognized as Angel’s son until the age of 17

Education Went to Jesuit private school, El Colegio de Belen Academically gifted but preferred sports to school work Pitched for his schools baseball team When he attended law school at the University of Havana, he entered the world of Cuban nationalism, socialism and anti-imperialism.

Early Political Interests 1947: traveled to the Dominican Republic trying to overthrow dictator Rafael Trujillo In Havana: joined Partido Ortodoxo, an anticommunist political party whose goals were nationalism, economic independence and social reforms. Tried to follow Eduardo Chibas, founder of Partido Ortodoxo and presidential candidate

Married Life 1948: married Mirta Diaz Balart who came from a wealthy Cuban family They had one son; Fidelito Castro was exposed to a wealthy lifestyle as well as many political connections Worked for a seat in parliament but Fulgencio Batista led a party which overthrew the government, cancelling elections

Analysis In 1953, Castro declared: “History will absolve me.” To what extent do you agree with his claim. Analysis:

Cuba’s Conditions Prior to Castro Widespread poverty (wealth was scarce and laid in the hands of very few) High unemployment rates Cuban people oppressed by the government Economy very dependent on sugar Heavily influenced by the United States - Control over 75% of agriculture, sugar and oil refineries - Many Cubans loathed the involvement of the US

Batista’s Regime Fulgencio Batista overthrew the government of President Carlos Prio Socorrás in 1952 Batista declared himself chief of state, ruled as dictator Used force and brutal measures, opposed to reforms, in order to maintain control of Cubans The United States, due to embarrassment, drew support there support of Batista and gave it to Castro

Emergence of Fidel Castro Aimed for a reformed Cuba ⁻ End of latifundia (industrial production of sugar) ⁻ Limit foreign ownership ⁻ End US involvement and Cuba’s dependence of US ⁻ Nationalize public services (make property of government) ⁻ Eliminated elections Turned communist ⁻ Never considered himself communist ⁻ Needed administrative assistance, communists were willing to help ⁻ Lost US support Gained support of many Cubans ⁻ Castro gained a lot of fame from his failed attempt to overthrow the government in 1953 ⁻ “History will absolve me” speech

Establishment of a Single-Party State Castro utilized guerilla warfare ⁻ Illegal force (i.e. bombings) ⁻ Created the Communist Party of Cuba, PCC ( Partido Comunista de Cuba) Left wing, Socialistic Government Authoritarian ruler ⁻ Imprisoned those who opposed his rule

Rule of a Single-Party State Political Reform ⁻ Turned to Khrushchev in 1961 (United States was unwilling to help) ⁻ Established a communist state Economic Reform ⁻ Nationalized the oil refineries and sugar industries (angered the United States which a great investment in them) ⁻ Seized all American owned businesses and farms and distributed this land amongst the farmers and peasants

Rule of a Single-Party State Social Reform Health care − medical service was free Public Housing was provided for cheap rent Education services improved – Opened 10,000 new schools – Literacy rose, became the highest in Latin America New Man’s Theory – Cubans should no longer work for personal benefits, but for the good of the society Censorship of the Media Created more freedoms for women − created the FMC (Federation of Cuban Women) – Mobilized women to support the establishment of more day care centers Family Code of 1975 – Equal rights in the home to the areas of marriage, divorce, adoption, and childbearing

Regional and Global Impact Minimizing US involvement − Castro seized control and nationalized sugar production process of ending relations with the US Cuba played a pivotal role in the Cold War − Increased the tensions between the US and USSR − Bay of Pigs (1961) − Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

DISSECTING THE QUOTE: Absolve: to declare freedom of someone from guilt, sin or responsibility Trial - Castro was on trial for the failed attack of the Monocada Barracks - Castro believed that with the use of famous Cuban independence fighters of the past, he is exempt from guilt or wrongdoing. Castro felt as if he too was a fighter for Cuban independence. “History will absolve me.”

Attacking the Paper 2 Question Failed attack on the Monocada Barracks − attempt to overthrow brutality of Barista’s Rule Reform in Cuba − Economic, social, and political When answering this paper 2 question we would utilize factors discussed above from Castro’s rise to power and rule. We would focus on the factors where Castro made effort to improve Cuba.

Works Cited Castro, Fidel. Fidel: My Early Years. Melbourne: Ocean Press, Dhouti, Khalma. ""History Will Absolve Me"." Blooms Literary Reference Online.. Dhouti, Khamal. "Castro, Fidel." Bloom's Literary Reference Online.. Skierka, Volker. Fidel Castro: A Biography. Wiley, 2006.