Fidel Castro
- A leader of the anti-Batista regime group
- Cuban politician who had a major role as Prime Minister from 1959 - 1976 - President from 1976 - 2008 - Criticized for acting like a dictator, and despite his policies of “direct democracy” (people assembling in public to express their wishes to him directly), his regime shared much in common with many other dictators’. - Many Cuban citizens weren’t happy with him, and began a counter-revolution against this new government. He began suppressing the disquiet and censoring the journal and news, as well as using psychological forms of torture on disobedient citizens. |
Fulgencio batista
- A Cuban politician who was president in the early 1940’s (specifically October 10th 1940 to October 10th 1944)
- Declared himself dictator of the country in 1952 despite a number of protests; one major protest group was called "The 26th of July" and was led by Castro himself -Batista resigned/was overthrown from his position on December 31st 1958, retreating into exile with over $300 million (US$, which would now be $2,439,164,948 U.S., or $3,038,260,444.84 Canadian) jOHN f. kENNEDY- President of the United States from January 20th 1961 to November 22nd 1963.
- Acted aggressively towards Soviet leader Khrushchev, which heightened tensions between the two countries during the Cold War. - He instigated the Bay of Pigs invasion. Despite never apologizing for it, it was unanimously considered a failure by Americans. - Kennedy was criticized for lying to the American people, telling them he played no part in the invasion - Subsequently, with Cuban missiles positioned at the U.S. in an aggressive way, Kennedy was challenged with a dilemma; If he attacked Cuba, an all-out nuclear war would start with the U.S.S.R. (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). However, if he did nothing, the U.S. would be an increasingly imminent target for Cuban missiles. - Many NSC (National Security Council) members decided that an air assault was a good idea. But after Kennedy’s failure with the Bay of Pigs, he acted with more restraint, and decided not to. - Settled on a naval quarantine, inspecting Soviet Union ships travelling to Cuba. The UN proposed both parties dismantle their missile sites, and on October 28th Khrushchev agreed. - Kennedy promised never to invade Cuba and that they’d remove their missiles positioned in Turkey. - The President’s approval ratings rose from 66% to 77% immediately. - Kennedy was regarded as a great president in general (economically, the country’s GDP rose 5.5% during the 2 years he was in office, mandatory death penalty was abolished, and his proposals played a major role in the civil rights. - He was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald on November 22nd of 1963. |