Past and some present day political leaders dress to look powerful in suits or uniforms. ‘Times were a-changing’ in the late 1950s, with Rock ‘n Roll music, young people in jeans, and wanting more freedom, ‘Beatniks’ – they were called.
Beatnik political power hit Cuba. This island, officially independent, was controlled through American businesses. In 1958 a guerrilla movement led by Fidel Castro and ‘Che’ Guevara, whose ideals of freedom and justice were inspired by the Beat generation, took over Cuba.
People in many countries, especially Americans, either were horrified, or wondered how this raggy looking group could run a government.
Castro introduced change to help everyone. His government took over American firms, outlawed racial discrimination, and set up health care and literacy programmes. Fidel Castro with Che Guevara wanted to inspire other countries to change. Young people, especially in Africa, were inspired to struggle for freedom.
Looking at Cuba after the USA’s blockade, the 1962 missile crisis, and its isolation, Castro’s dictatorship looks different. Join us for a meeting to think about people do react to bad governments and what they achieve.
Simon Hall is Professor of Modern History at Leeds University. His research has concentrated on how the ideas of significant leaders developed, their experiences and who inspired them. His recent book is Three Revolutions: Russia, China and Cuba, and the Journeys which Changed the World