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Cuban Revolution

Fidel Castro, inspired by José Martí who first dreamt of a Cuban Revolution who died a martyr before he could succeed, wanted to overthrow the corrupt government under Fulgencio Batista. Castro gathered an army of revolutionaries known as the Fidelistas who were driven by nationalism, idealism, patriotism, and the thought of possibly becoming a martyr, a historical glory of Cuba. The result of this revolution in Cuba was an overthrow of the government and the start of a Communist state that still remains today.

Several events occurred that led up to the Cuban Revolution. The first war for Cuban independence lasted from 1868 through 1878 and became known as the Ten Years' War. The following year, the "Little War" began and lasted just over one year. The next attempt for independence began in 1892 by José Martí. In 1901 the United States passed the Platt Amendment which further angered the Cubans and increased the desire for independence. The Revolution of 1933 was led by a series of small uprisings. Then, in 1952 when Fulgencio Batista seized power and ended the constitutional government in Cuba. The 26th of July movement, also known as M-26, in 1953 was another step toward revolution. Although the M-26 was a physical fight, the first operations of the revolution did not occur until late in 1956. Fighting continued until 1959 when Batista fled the country.

The Ten Years' War began on October 10, 1868 at a plantation in Yara. Carlos Céspedes, weary of the heavy taxes demanded by Spain, freed his slaves and assembled a mixed band of rebels. The movement grew very rapidly under Céspedes control. On October 19 his forces captured the city of Bayamo, the first larger victory. With the assistance of Máximo Gómez and other Dominican exiles, the rebels seized much of eastern Cuba. To counter these rebel forces, Captain General Lesundi organized the Voluntarios, or Voluntary Corps. Although the rebels lost the war, may other rebel groups, inspired by...