History The Cuban Revolution Questions
The key events leading up to the Cuban Revolution include:
1. The Spanish-American War (1898): Cuba gained independence from Spain, but the United States maintained significant influence over the island.
2. The Platt Amendment (1901): This amendment allowed the United States to intervene in Cuban affairs and maintain a naval base at Guantanamo Bay.
3. The rise of Fulgencio Batista: Batista, a military officer, seized power in a coup in 1952 and established a corrupt and repressive regime.
4. The 26th of July Movement: In 1953, Fidel Castro and a group of rebels launched an unsuccessful attack on the Moncada Barracks, which marked the beginning of their revolutionary movement.
5. The Sierra Maestra Campaign: After their failed attack, Castro and his followers retreated to the Sierra Maestra mountains, where they organized a guerrilla campaign against Batista's forces.
6. The Granma Expedition: In 1956, Castro and his rebels sailed from Mexico to Cuba on the yacht Granma, aiming to continue their armed struggle against Batista.
7. Popular support and urban resistance: As Castro's guerrilla campaign gained momentum, he garnered support from peasants, workers, and intellectuals, while urban resistance against Batista's regime grew.
8. The Battle of Santa Clara: In December 1958, Castro's forces, led by Che Guevara, captured the city of Santa Clara, a significant victory that weakened Batista's regime.
9. Batista's resignation: Facing mounting pressure and realizing his loss of support, Batista fled Cuba on January 1, 1959, allowing Castro and his rebels to take control of the country.
These events ultimately led to the overthrow of Batista's regime and the establishment of Fidel Castro's communist government in Cuba.