• To explain why Cuba became the most important Communist state in the Americas

• To examine the role of Fidel Castro in establishing Cuba as a Communist state
• To examine the record of Castro as ruler of Cuba

These notes should help students to improve and develop their knowledge and understanding of such issues as:

• The hardships suffered by many ordinary Cubans before Castro’s revolution
• The methods Castro used to win over ordinary Cubans
• The extent to which Castro’s success depended on the USSR