1959–1961Reputable sourceWell documented

The Cuban Revolution and a Hostile Washington

On the timeline · around 1959–1961 ·

What happened

On January 1, 1959, Fidel Castro's rebels forced the dictator Batista to flee, and Castro took power in Cuba. As his government nationalized American property and drew closer to the Soviet Union, relations collapsed; the United States severed diplomatic ties in January 1961.

Why it matters

Ninety miles from Florida, a communist ally of Moscow now ruled Cuba. To Cold War Washington, removing Castro became an urgent priority — by any means.

Sources

U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian. A Guide to U.S.–Cuba Diplomatic Relations · Reputable source

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