THE CUBAN REVOLUTION
In 1952, Fidel Castro petitioned for the overthrow of Fulgencio Batista, whom he accused of corruption and tyranny. However, Castro's arguments were rejected by the Cuban courts. After deciding that the Batista regime could not be overthrown through legal means, Castro gathered a force of armed rebels, and attacked the Moncada Barracks in Santiago (located beside Trinidad in the map^) and the barracks in Bayamo on 26 July 1953.The exact number of rebels killed in the battle is debatable; however, in his autobiography, Castro claimed that nine were killed in the fighting, and an additional 56 were killed later by the Batista regime. Among the dead was Abel Santamaría, Castro's second-in-command, who was imprisoned, tortured, and executed on the same day as the attack.
My Interpretation of this political cartoon was Castro destroying Batista's government. The revolution began in July 1953, and finally overthrew Batista on January 1, 1959, replacing his regime with Castro's revolutionary government. Castro's government later reformed along communist lines, becoming the present Communist Party of Cuba in October 1965. In 1959, Castro travelled to the United States to explain his revolution. He said, "I know what the world thinks of us, we are Communists, and of course I have said very clearly that we are not Communists; very clearly." This of course was a false statement. During its first decade in power, the Castro government introduced a wide range of progressive social reforms. Laws were introduced to provide equality for black Cubans and greater rights for women, while there were attempts to improve communications, medical facilities, health, housing, and education. In addition, there were touring cinemas, art exhibitions, concerts, and theatres. By the end of the 1960s, all Cuban children were receiving some education (compared with less than half before 1959), unemployment and corruption were reduced, and great improvements were made in hygiene and sanitation.