Fidel Castro dies at 90

Fidel+Castro%2C+Prime+Minister+of+Cuba%2C+smokes+a+cigar+during+his+meeting+with+two+U.S.+senators%2C+the+first+to+visit+Castros+Cuba%2C+in+Havana%2C+Cuba%2C+Sept.+29%2C+1974.++%28AP+Photo%29

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fidel Castro, Prime Minister of Cuba, smokes a cigar during his meeting with two U.S. senators, the first to visit Castro’s Cuba, in Havana, Cuba, Sept. 29, 1974. (AP Photo)

Justin Goetz, Writer

As a tragedy for some and intense joy for others, famed revolutionary Cuban Dictator Fidel Castro past away at the age of 90. Castro was a main contributor to bringing the Cold War to the Western Hemisphere in 1959 and tormented more than eleven U.S Presidents during his era.

During his political career, Castro introduced the polítical ideology of Communism to Cuba when he took over as Prime Minister in 1959. Soon after, Castro allied with the Soviet Union and posed as a major nuclear threat to the U.S throughout the Cold War. With that being said, Castro nearly brought the world to nuclear war numerous times because of the constant nuclear threats he made towards the U.S. On top of that, Castro was the second longest ruler in history behind Queen Elizabeth II.

From here on, Castro began to assemble his forces and campaign a guerrilla warfare militia that would lead to the overthrowing of Cuban Dictator Fulgencio Batista. After the overthrow of Batista, Castro gave a speech, and during that speech, a dove landed on his shoulder. This dove lead to the Cuban people screaming, “Castro! Castro! Castro!” believing that Castro was a god sent to become their new leader. Little did the Cuban people know that Castro was to implement Communist policies and bring Cuba into the Cold War.

Soon after Cuba joined the Cold War, the Soviet Union began economic and military relations with Castro and Cuba bringing the Cold War to the Western Hemisphere and at the U.S’ doorstep. This led to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 which was a thirteen day standoff between the U.S and the Soviet Union regarding nuclear threats to the U.S, Italy and Turkey. As a result, Castro was even deemed responsible for communist revolutions in countries around the world.

Castro eventually became a president turned dictator in 1976. During his rule, Castro was both brutal and intimidating to the Cuban people. With that being said, Castro used dictatorial power to violently persecute and imprison anyone who disagreed with his ideals. This lead to many Cubans fleeing to the United States during his reign, including one of his daughters.

Due to the end of the Cold War and the death of communism in 1991, Castro would set his communist ideals to the side and began to experience health problems that eventually led to him passing his dictatorship to his brother Raúl Castro, allowing Castro to still maintain some political power.

All in all, Castro had an impactful life on the world; from influencing communist revolutions around the world to posing as a nuclear threat to the U.S. Castro left a mark and will certainly not be forgotten. Overall, Castro was a very interesting person and leader who will remain to be one of the most influential and famed dictators in history