Short_Bio_on_Fidel_Castro

Jason Savage Mr. Munley Period 6 1 April 2011 A Short Biography on Fidel Castro: Leader of Cuba Fidel Castro – one of five children born into the family on a farm in Birán, Cuba – was born on August 13, 1926. Fidel Castro is one of the most iconic leaders to ever rule Cuba. He was the leader of the Cuban Revolution which ran from 1956 through 1959. The three most known of the revolutionaries include Fidel, his brother Raúl, and Che Guevara. They led guerrilla attacks against Batista, the Cuban Leader at the time, and his heavy armed defenses. Although many civilians were killed in these attacks, Castro nevertheless gained overwhelming support to overtake the government led by Batista. Batista lost numerous battles against Castro's enlarging force, therefore, he fled the island on January 1, 1959. Eventually, by July of the same year, Castro had become the leader of Cuba. He became the 'president.' He was successful in transforming the country into a communist nation by nationalizing business, taking over American owned investments and farms, therefore, alienating the U.S. Castro made strong ties with the Soviet Union, causing concern for the United States. Finally, in 1962 – the year known as the closest the world has ever come to nuclear war – the United States found that huge army bases on Cuba were loaded with nuclear bomb facilities. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union – the strongest ally to Cuba – collapsed in 1991, the island nation found itself at an economic disadvantage with a trade embargo; still in effect with the United States. In 2006 Fidel temporarily handed power over to his younger brother Raúl, who is a slightly less harsh nationalist. Recent events and telecasts have indicated that Fidel has resigned from office.