On New Year's Day 1959, Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista fled the island as a revolutionary army advanced on the capital city of Havana. Exuberant celebrations erupted in Havana and elsewhere. The corrupt and repressive Batista was almost universally hated, and the leader of the revolution that unseated him had promised to bring justice, freedom, and democracy to Cuba. That leader, a charismatic young lawyer named Fidel Castro, would rule the island aided by a small inner circle that included his brother Raul for the next ...
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On New Year's Day 1959, Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista fled the island as a revolutionary army advanced on the capital city of Havana. Exuberant celebrations erupted in Havana and elsewhere. The corrupt and repressive Batista was almost universally hated, and the leader of the revolution that unseated him had promised to bring justice, freedom, and democracy to Cuba. That leader, a charismatic young lawyer named Fidel Castro, would rule the island aided by a small inner circle that included his brother Raul for the next five decades. The Castro regime could claim some undeniable achievements. It dramatically improved circumstances for the poorest Cubans. It improved and expanded public education. It created a first-rate health care system that guarantees free medical care to all citizens. But, in the view of critics and over the years the Castros would acquire many such achievements were more than offset by the regime's failures. The Castro government wreaked havoc with Cuba's economy, stifling development and plunging the country into periodic crises. And, even worse, the Castros proved just as repressive as Fulgencio Batista had been. This book presents an overview of the controversial Castro regime. It details the government's major actions and policies and examines what life has been like for ordinary Cubans as a result.
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