Fidel Castro Autobiography

Fidel Castro Autobiography

Full Name: Mr. Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz
Date of Birth: August 13, 1926
Place of Birth: Mayari, Cuba
Died: N/A
Place of Death: N/A
Classification: Leaders & Revolutionaries.

Even in his teens, Fidel Castro believed in the power of revolution. His first sign of dissidence and his belief that conditions should be better for laborers were displayed in his own father’s sugar plantations. Throughout his childhood, Castro received an excellent and private education and would work his way into law school in Havana.

Upon his gradation from Law School, Castro was constantly taking on pro bono cases where he attempted to help those who could not receive representation otherwise. American businesses and the mafia controlled the country’s economy and he began to think of ways he could end their capitalistic presence. Castro decided to join politics and was an avid public speaker. When General Batista saw Castro gaining so much support, he took over the country with his military brawn.

Although Castro led some counter operations against Batista’s army, he was caught and sentenced to death. His sentence was not carried out due to his enormous popularity and was reduced to fifteen years in prison, but with public pressure for his release, he only ended up serving a two-year term. Batista promised the people that upon Castro’s release they would hold elections as previously planned. Batista had lied so Castro fled to Mexico to gain military know-how, weapons, and even greater backing.

Castro and Che Guevara, along with Juan Almeida, formed the July 26 Movement. They set up their base in the Sierra Maestra Mountains, but when their plans were foiled, they had to re-build by attacking select army barracks, collecting weapons, and even convincing soldiers to join their side. Castro gained control of different areas of land and returned it back to the farmers and peasants who had worked it before. This would be a continual theme in Castro’s battles – giving back to the poor and the working-class people, teaching them to be self-sufficient.

With the growth of Castro’s popularity, Batista was forced to leave the country. When Castro came into power, the United States eventually stopped all business negations with the country. Castro then looked to Europe and the Soviet Union for their support in his economy. His plan worked and Castro looked at making his country one of the most educated and safest in the world. He also introduced systems of education and health care that are unrivaled in the United States. The United States attempted to assassinate Castro for years, spending nearly twenty million dollars in the process. With the fall of the Soviet Union and the country’s inability to get much-needed equipment for harvesting, Cuba has experienced some economic hardships in the last fifteen years. Fidel Castro, who is still able to lead the country even with his own personal health issues, is attempting to find better ways to keep his country self-sufficient without having to rely on the aid of other countries