the role of Castro

• born in 1926, son of a wealthy Spanish farmer in cuba
• studied law at the university of Havana
• joined orthodox party to end corruption and nationalise US-owned companies
• gained popularity due to his oratory skills
• planned to run for Congress in 1952, but failed due to Batista's coup
• criticised Batista's rule from the start
• led attack on Moncada barracks in 1953 to seize weapons for a general rising against him