The History of Cuba
Cuba is relatively small, geography-wise, in comparison to other nations in Latin America. Nevertheless, it has a super-sized history, full of everything from native pre-contact cultures to pirate attacks to Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution!
The Cuban Revolution: Major Participants and Events
The Cuban Revolution was not the work of one man, nor was it the result of one key event. To understand the revolution, you must understand the men and women who fought it, and you must understand the battlefields - physical as well as ideological - where the Revolution was won.
The Cuban Revolution was not the work of one man, nor was it the result of one key event. To understand the revolution, you must understand the men and women who fought it, and you must understand the battlefields - physical as well as ideological - where the Revolution was won.
Biography of Ernesto "Che" Guevara
One of the more famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view) protagonists of the Cuban Revolution, Argentine doctor Ernesto "Ché" Guevara would go on to play a key role in post-revolution Cuba. He was killed in Bolivia in 1967 while trying to stir up a Cuban-style communist revolution.
One of the more famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view) protagonists of the Cuban Revolution, Argentine doctor Ernesto "Ché" Guevara would go on to play a key role in post-revolution Cuba. He was killed in Bolivia in 1967 while trying to stir up a Cuban-style communist revolution.
Biography of Raul Castro
Raul is the forgotten Castro, the quiet one who has always been in the shadow of his brother Fidel. But Raul played an important role in the Cuban Revolution and a series of even more important roles in post-revolution Cuba, including serving as President.
Raul is the forgotten Castro, the quiet one who has always been in the shadow of his brother Fidel. But Raul played an important role in the Cuban Revolution and a series of even more important roles in post-revolution Cuba, including serving as President.
Cuban Revolution: The Voyage of the Granma
In November of 1956, 82 Cuban rebels under the command of Fidel Castro set sail from Mexico to Cuba in the Granma, a small yacht designed for only twelve people. The Granma made it (barely) to Cuba, and the men who disembarked became the inner core of the movement which would end the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista in 1959.
In November of 1956, 82 Cuban rebels under the command of Fidel Castro set sail from Mexico to Cuba in the Granma, a small yacht designed for only twelve people. The Granma made it (barely) to Cuba, and the men who disembarked became the inner core of the movement which would end the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista in 1959.
Bartolomé de Las Casas (1484-1566) Part One: Defender of the Indians
Biography of Fray Bartolome de Las Casas Part One
Biography of Fray Bartolome de Las Casas Part One
Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas (1484-1566) Part Two: Later Years
As Bartolomé de Las Casas aged, he became increasingly convinced that the Spanish needed to stop the horrors and abuses of the colonial system in the Americas.
As Bartolomé de Las Casas aged, he became increasingly convinced that the Spanish needed to stop the horrors and abuses of the colonial system in the Americas.
Biography of Pánfilo de Narváez
Biography of Pánfilo de Narváez, Spanish conquistador and explorer
Biography of Pánfilo de Narváez, Spanish conquistador and explorer
The First New World Voyage of Christopher Columbus (1492)
Christopher Columbus may have been looking for a new trade route to Asia when he set out in 1492, but he discovered something far more important. Columbus made several stops on his monumental first voyage, including the present-day Bahamas, Cuba and Hispaniola.
Christopher Columbus may have been looking for a new trade route to Asia when he set out in 1492, but he discovered something far more important. Columbus made several stops on his monumental first voyage, including the present-day Bahamas, Cuba and Hispaniola.
Biography of José Martí
José Martí (1853-1895) was a Cuban revolutionary and poet. Although he was not a soldier, he was a leading advocate for Cuban independence from Spain from the time he was sixteen years old. He died in combat against Spanish forces in Cuba in 1895 and is today revered as a Cuban national hero.
José Martí (1853-1895) was a Cuban revolutionary and poet. Although he was not a soldier, he was a leading advocate for Cuban independence from Spain from the time he was sixteen years old. He died in combat against Spanish forces in Cuba in 1895 and is today revered as a Cuban national hero.
Biography of Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro is a Cuban lawyer, revolutionary and politician. Along with his brother Raul Castro and Ernesto "Che" Guevara, he was the primary architect of the Cuban Revolution, which forever changed the face of world politics. He is still a highly controversial figure, as many Cubans love him and many loathe him.
Fidel Castro is a Cuban lawyer, revolutionary and politician. Along with his brother Raul Castro and Ernesto "Che" Guevara, he was the primary architect of the Cuban Revolution, which forever changed the face of world politics. He is still a highly controversial figure, as many Cubans love him and many loathe him.
Cuban Revolution: The Battle of Santa Clara
In the dying days of 1958, rebel forces tightened the noose around the neck of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. His last hope was the powerful federal garrison at the city of Santa Clara, guarding the road to Havana. Fidel Castro sent his most trusted lieutenant, Ernesto "Ché" Guevara, to capture the city. He was outnumbered and outgunned, and his shocking victory made him a legend.
In the dying days of 1958, rebel forces tightened the noose around the neck of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. His last hope was the powerful federal garrison at the city of Santa Clara, guarding the road to Havana. Fidel Castro sent his most trusted lieutenant, Ernesto "Ché" Guevara, to capture the city. He was outnumbered and outgunned, and his shocking victory made him a legend.
The Cuban Revolution
In the final days of 1958, rebel commander Fidel Castro tightened the noose on Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. Columns of rebel soldiers under Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos moved towards Havana, and on January 1, 1959, Batista fled the country. The ramifications of the Cuban Revolution would change world politics forever.
In the final days of 1958, rebel commander Fidel Castro tightened the noose on Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. Columns of rebel soldiers under Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos moved towards Havana, and on January 1, 1959, Batista fled the country. The ramifications of the Cuban Revolution would change world politics forever.
Biography of Fulgencio Batista
Fulgencio Batista was a Cuban army sergeant who took command of the military before being elected president for the term from 1940-1944. He returned to power in 1952 and is today best known as the man who was President when Fidel Castro's Cuban Revolution took place.
Fulgencio Batista was a Cuban army sergeant who took command of the military before being elected president for the term from 1940-1944. He returned to power in 1952 and is today best known as the man who was President when Fidel Castro's Cuban Revolution took place.
Cuban Revolution: Assault on the Moncada Barracks
In 1953, Fidel Castro kicked off the Cuban Revolution by leading an armed assault on the federal garrison at Moncada, hoping to gain weapons and recruits for an all-out war against dictator Fulgencio Batista. Although the assault was a failure, it helped lay the groundwork for the eventual success of the Cuban Revolution.
In 1953, Fidel Castro kicked off the Cuban Revolution by leading an armed assault on the federal garrison at Moncada, hoping to gain weapons and recruits for an all-out war against dictator Fulgencio Batista. Although the assault was a failure, it helped lay the groundwork for the eventual success of the Cuban Revolution.
Cuba: The Bay of Pigs Invasion
After the Cuban Revolution, the Castro regime became increasingly hostile towards the United States and its interests. In 1961, President John Kennedy approved a CIA plan to arm and train Cuban exiles to invade Cuba and install a new government. The resulting attack, known as "The Bay of Pigs," was a total disaster for Kennedy and a great victory for Castro.
After the Cuban Revolution, the Castro regime became increasingly hostile towards the United States and its interests. In 1961, President John Kennedy approved a CIA plan to arm and train Cuban exiles to invade Cuba and install a new government. The resulting attack, known as "The Bay of Pigs," was a total disaster for Kennedy and a great victory for Castro.