Fidel Castro
Political Rise
Guerrilla forces in the Sierra region made up of peasants
Fidel Castro marched into Havana and became the dictator of Cuba
Confiscated property from the richer upper classes and old government officials
Used the Bay of Pigs to nullify the democratic constitution to bring about a tighter grip on the country by supporting a Socialist regime. “I am a Marxist-Leninist, and I shall be one until the last day of my life.”
Economic Policies
Increased sugar production to 10 million tons by 1970; this failed.
The price of sugar fell to ½ of what it was in 1963
Most equal distribution of income in all of the Americas.
Incredibly dependent on foreign economic aid from the USSR
Castro heavily focused on land reform with the Agrarian Reform Laws of Cuba
DISSIDENTS OF THE REGIME
First communist country in Western Hemisphere
Agrarian Land Reform Bill
Bay of Pigs
Cuban Missile Crisis
Castro took steps to prevent a large base of people against him
WOMEN’S ROLES
Culture of Machismo
Cuban women became the envy of most other female populations in Latin America.
ARTS & EDUCATION
All students receive education in math, reading, the sciences, arts, humanities, social responsibility, civics and participatory citizenship.