The CUBAN REVOLUTION

Background: The Cuban Revolution began in 1953 as a movement to overthrow the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. It was led by Fidel Castro, along with figures like Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos, who promised a more just and equal Cuba. After years of guerrilla warfare, the revolution succeeded in 1959, and Castro came to power, declaring a new era of reform and justice. But what followed would fundamentally reshape—and in many ways harm—Cuba for generations to come.

Impact On Today: After taking control, Fidel Castro turned Cuba into a one-party communist state, nationalizing all private businesses, silencing dissent, and severely limiting individual freedoms. Thousands of Cubans—especially political opponents, journalists, and everyday citizens—were imprisoned or forced into exile. Basic necessities became scarce, and economic freedom vanished. The government controlled all aspects of life: from what people could read or say to where they could work and live.

The economy, once relatively prosperous in parts of Cuba, collapsed under strict state control and a heavy dependence on the Soviet Union. When the USSR fell in the early 1990s, Cuba entered a period of deep crisis, known as the “Special Period,” marked by starvation, blackouts, and poverty. Even today, many Cubans live with food shortages, limited healthcare resources, and almost no political freedom. Millions have fled the country over the decades, seeking opportunity and safety elsewhere.

While some praise aspects like universal literacy or basic healthcare, the cost to freedom, economic stability, and human rights has been enormous. The Cuban Revolution is a clear example of how promises of equality can be manipulated into long-term authoritarian rule.