High volume of corruption; oppression by government (Batista seizes power in 1952)
US controlled 75% of agriculture in Cuba
Batista
Failed to use reform; he used brutal measures to control his people
U.S. supported Batista intially, but then supported Castro
Batista was brutal toward rebels and lost the support of the public and the Catholic Church
Castro's Rise to Power
Castro was a candidate for Congress in the Cuban People's Party
Castro and his brother Raul attempted to overthrow Batista by attacking the Moncada Army Barracks, but they failed and were sentenced to jail for fifteen years
fled to Mexico where they met Che Guevara
sailed to Sierra Maestra and took over one town after the other (July 26th Movement, 1956
In the summer of 1958, over 1,000 of Batista's men had been killed or wounded
came to power January 1st, 1959 after Batista fled to the Dominican Republic
Why was Castro successful in his bid to overthrow Batista?
