Fidel Castro was the Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976 and the President of Cuba from 1976 to 2008. Castro led the 1959 Cuban Revolution, which ousted the U.S backed military-dictator Fulgencio Batista. Under Castro, Cuba became a single-party communist state in which most industries were entirely nationalized. Castro played various roles in the Cuban Revolution and the formation of Cuba's economic and political system, with many of his educational and healthcare related reforms still being evident in the nation's current government.
Cuban Independence
How did Fidel Castro ensure the sovereignty of Cuba from the United States?
Fidel Castro challenged U.S neo-cololonialism
Fidel Castro was one of the only leaders in Central America who challenged the United States over their attempts to infringe on Cuba's political, economic, and geographic sovereignty.
To what extent did Fidel Castro transform the one-crop economy of Cuba?
Castro shifted from the one-crop economy and provided people with good living conditions
The Cuban government post 1959 inherited a sugar-based economy. Castro’s decisions to reform the economy to accommodate the changing social and political environment helped people have good living conditions in Cuba.
Castro inherited a weak economy and made the best out of the situation
When Castro came into power, the economy was very weak. There were also many social and political pressures. Castro made the best out of the situation which allowed the economy to survive and be as best as it could.
How did Fidel Castro improve the physical wellbeing of Cuba's civilians?
Castro created a successful free healthcare system
Castro created a free, universal healthcare system for the citizens of Cuba. This achievement contributed significantly to Castro's international fame.
How did Fidel Castro improve/allow for the education of the Cuban population?
Fidel Castro spearheaded a successful literacy program
Fidel Castro launched a nationwide literacy program in Cuba to target the educational element of the wide class divide between Cubans living in rural communities versus Cubans living in urban communities.
