Fidel Castro Ruz was born on august 13 1926 in Biran, Cuba. His family, owning sugar plantations, were fairly wealthy, this money providing him with extensive education oppurtunities. In 1945 Castro gained a law degree after attending the University of Havana and started a practice, devoting himself to serving the poor. Castro had always been a rebel, his main interest in university being politics, involving himself in various protest groups. In 1952 he intended to run for parliament, but in a coup d'etat, General Fulgencio Batista overthrew the existing government, marking the end of democracy in Cuba and cancelling the election. These actions on Batista's part fueled Castro's desire for revolution and in 1953 he started to organise a revolt. The revolutionary movement started on July 26 1953 and after many trials and tribulations Castro finally rose to power on January 1 1959. Batista had fled the country allowing Castro's forces to move in and take Havana. Castro became president of Cuba and remains in this position today.
             How Castro impacted on the course of the Revolution from approx. 1950-1960
             It is quite easily said that without Castro's input there would not have been a successful revolution within Cuba. Castro was dedicated and determined to win, as said by Tad Szulc in 'Fidel: a Critical Portrait' – "It was the obsession of Fidel Castro to do away with human, social and economic underdevelopement in Cuba."
             Fidel Castro's political style emphasised active engagement and self-discipline. He believed that individuals can overcome any obstacle they desire if they have a strong will to do so and that revolution is the important mission worth pursuing. As Castro has said "The duty of every revolutionary is to make the revolution." It was this enthusiasm and drive that rose him above Batista and ultimately lead to his victory in 1959. He was a
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