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Fidel Castro: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Fidel Castro 1950s.jpg|thumb|Fidel Castro (1950s)]] | [[File:Fidel Castro 1950s.jpg|thumb|Fidel Castro (1950s)]] | ||
'''Fidel Castro''', ruler of Cuba from 1976 to 2008, came to power by a Soviet-backed military coup on January 1, 1959. Withdrawal of U.S. support from the ruling Batista regime, as well as general dissatisfaction among the Cuban intelligentsia, were contributing factors. Although Castro professed to offer equality in place of the inequity of the Batista government, within a year, executions and torture by his new regime caused world outcry. Castro seized U.S. holdings and investments, and the U.S. broke off relations with Cuba on January 3, 1961. Castro then proclaimed his alliance with the USSR and the Soviet bloc. | '''Fidel Castro''' (1926–2016), ruler of Cuba from 1976 to 2008, came to power by a Soviet-backed military coup on January 1, 1959. Withdrawal of U.S. support from the ruling Batista regime, as well as general dissatisfaction among the Cuban intelligentsia, were contributing factors. Although Castro professed to offer equality in place of the inequity of the Batista government, within a year, executions and torture by his new regime caused world outcry. Castro seized U.S. holdings and investments, and the U.S. broke off relations with Cuba on January 3, 1961. Castro then proclaimed his alliance with the USSR and the Soviet bloc. | ||
In 1982 [[Purity and Astrea]] revealed that Fidel Castro was “one of the original [[Watcher]]s.” | In 1982 [[Purity and Astrea]] revealed that Fidel Castro was “one of the original [[Watcher]]s.” | ||
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== Consolidating power == | == Consolidating power == | ||
The Communists had previously tried to establish a base in the Americas. They found they could gain, but not keep, power. But the Communists used the pre-Castro era in Latin America as a laboratory. They developed six principles for staying in power before Castro took control of Cuba. The six principles included: revolutionizing the masses, dependence on the Soviet Union, reliance on the United | The Communists had previously tried to establish a base in the Americas. They found they could gain, but not keep, power. But the Communists used the pre-Castro era in Latin America as a laboratory. They developed six principles for staying in power before Castro took control of Cuba. The six principles included: revolutionizing the masses, dependence on the Soviet Union, reliance on the United Nations instead of on the Organization of American States, establishment of a one-party Communist state, neutralization of the Church, and the replacement of the former army with a Red Army. From their previous experience they learned that only by having these six ingredients could they take and keep power in the Caribbean. | ||
Fidel Castro was the first to successfully apply these lessons. He also added a wrinkle of his own: he initially denied he was a Communist. In the late fifties, Castro persuaded the State Department, the American media and most of the Cuban democratic leaders that he would establish a democracy in Cuba. | Fidel Castro was the first to successfully apply these lessons. He also added a wrinkle of his own: he initially denied he was a Communist. In the late fifties, Castro persuaded the State Department, the American media and most of the Cuban democratic leaders that he would establish a democracy in Cuba. | ||
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== The Cuban Missile Crisis == | == The Cuban Missile Crisis == | ||
The Bay of Pigs fiasco led to the Cuban missile crisis. In 1962, the Soviet Union built missile sites in Cuba and provided Castro’s army with troops, planes, and submarines. On October 22, 1962, President Kennedy served notice that the United States was willing to go to war in order to force the Soviets to remove missiles and troops threatening United States security. | The Bay of Pigs fiasco led to the Cuban missile crisis. In 1962, the Soviet Union built missile sites in Cuba and provided Castro’s army with troops, planes, and submarines. On October 22, 1962, U.S. President John F. Kennedy served notice that the United States was willing to go to war in order to force the Soviets to remove missiles and troops threatening United States security. | ||
The United States then established a blockade and confronted Soviet vessels with warships. Then, on November 20, 1962, President Kennedy lifted the blockade when Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles. | The United States then established a blockade and confronted Soviet vessels with warships. Then, on November 20, 1962, President Kennedy lifted the blockade when Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles. | ||
Castro’s tenure was more or less assured when the Soviets, as part of the overall settlement, secured a promise from | Castro’s tenure was more or less assured when the Soviets, as part of the overall settlement, secured a promise from Kennedy not to use military force to remove him. Each administration since then has honored this agreement, giving the Soviets license to turn Cuba into a forward base in the Western Hemisphere without fear of direct U.S. intervention. | ||
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-L0614-040, Berlin, Fidel Castro an der Grenze.jpg|thumb|Castro with members of the East German Politburo, Berlin (June 14, 1972)]] | [[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-L0614-040, Berlin, Fidel Castro an der Grenze.jpg|thumb|Castro with members of the East German Politburo, Berlin (June 14, 1972)]] | ||