History

General Statement
Fidel Castro never gave up in his determination to overthrow Batista and become leader of Cuba after being imprisoned.

Introduce event or organization and provide relevant and basic background information
The Cuban revolution was the period when Fidel Castro overthrew Fulgencio Batista.  This happened in 1959.  The Cuban people had previously been subjected to dictatorship.  Through the support of guerilla fighters and the masses, Castro came into power, and advocated for a Marxist-Leninist society.
Thesis Statement (What your argument is what you are going to prove in your paper

Since the people saw it as just and necessary, the Cuban revolution succeeded and introduced popular changes in the domestic and foreign policies that affected both North and Latin America.

First Guiding Question How did the rule of Batista and the actions of Fidel Castro lead to the Cuban revolution
Supporting Detail  1  Batistas dictatorial rule
Quote or Paraphrase Several innocent people were subjected to torture as they were executed in public. (The National Archives 2003)

Substantiation  The tortured people were suspected to have collaborated with Castro.  They were tortured so they would give more information on Castro and his army operations.  This made the guerilla fighters grow their determination to fight and overthrow him.  The Batista regime attempted to prevent free elections and imprisoned many of its enemies.  At the same, time economic disparity between the wealthy sugar barons and the urban and rural poor worsened. Though Batista had support from the US, he lost to Castro. This was a result of the Cuban people boycotting the polls.  Batista fled the country and Castro became president of Cuba.

Supporting Detail  2 The July 26 Movement was a group formed by Fidel Castro, which attacked the Moncada Barracks.

Quote or paraphrase  The first attempt that Castro made in a bid to overthrow Fulgencio Batista was the attack of the Moncada army barracks.  (The National Archives 2003)

Substantiation  The first plan to overthrow Batista was unsuccessful.  It led to the death of several of Castros troupe.  This led to Castros imprisonment for two years.  He was later released as a result of pressure from the public.  He did not give up as he left for Mexico to plan for a fresh attack.
Supporting detail  3  Castro was the leader of the July 25 Movement, which was responsible for the Moncada army barracks attack.

Quote or paraphrase  This is the group that was liquidated and fused with the Communist Party of Cuba when Castro came to power. (Weisbord)

Substantiation  Before Castro got into power, the July 26 Movement had fled when they lost to Batista.  The troupe came back to Cuba in 1956 and set up their base in the Sierra Maestra Mountains. Though they lost again, they managed to attack isolated garrisons and obtain arms.

Second Guiding Question HowWhy did Castro get power
Supporting Detail  1  There was a formation of two groups the guerilla fighters based in Sierra Maestra Mountains and the Ilano group made of the Cuban middle-class and professionals whose operations were secret.

Quote or Paraphrase Raul Ernesto Guevara formed the Ilano and the guerilla fighters.  The July 26 Movement was greatly supported by the Cuban people.  (The National Archives 2003)

Substantiation Professionals, the influential middle class and 45 other organizations supported the July 26 movement.  At first, Castro did not get solid support from the middle class.  However, because of wide discontent against the Batista regime, it was easy for them to gravitate to Castros group, which was the most determined and most organized opponent of the dictator.

Supporting Detail  2 Castro received great support from the peasants.
Quote or Paraphrase Castro distributed land to the peasants when the guerilla took control of Cuba.  (The National Archives 2003)

Substantiation  The peasants in the rural areas helped Castro in overthrowing Batista for they were his strongest supporters.  Catholic priests and students in the urban areas also supported Castro.  This was made possible because of the program his organization wished to achieve upon the fall of Batista. (Sierra Maestro Manifesto)

Supporting Detail  3  Castro becomes the new president of Cuba.
Quote or Paraphrase Castro stated that The revolution was characterized precisely by its newness, by the fact that it will do things never been done before.  (Fidel Castro Speaks to Citizens of Santiago)
Substantiation The non-communist Cuban forces that also fought against the Batista regime accepted Castro because he did not declare himself a communist at first.  Thus, it was convenient for them to agree to Castros ascendancy to power.  After Castro became president, Santiago de Cuba became the capital.  This is where the Cuban revolution started and where the Sierra Maestra Mountains are located.

Last Guiding Question What were the domestic and foreign policies that were introduced by Castro
Supporting Detail  1 Castro introduced several changes when he came into power

Quote or Paraphrase He was determined to do away with all the pre-revolutionary attitudes and values that existed.  All the views that he presented were in line with the orthodox Marxist theory. (Bunck 2)
Substantiation Ernesto Guevara and Fidel Castro created the different political and economic institutions that existed.  The government controlled all the banks, businesses, and media in Cuba.  The education system established Marxist-Leninist principles, and did away with the Catholic Church.  A domestic intelligence organization was also formed.

Supporting Data  2 Cuba completed the building of a socialist economy.
Quote or Paraphrase The Cuban people were transformed to cooperative property owners. (Weisbord)
Substantiation  The government nationalized key industries and agricultural landholdings.  Cooperatives were set up for people manage these sectors.

Supporting Detail  3 Castros rule had its advantages and disadvantages.

Quote or Paraphrase  The Castro regime discouraged cultural ills in Cuba and supported strongly womens liberation.  (Bunck 87)  However, problems in poverty and unemployment persisted.
Substantiation Castro had successes in eradicating elitism, greed, laziness, and racism with his Marxist-Leninist policies.  Castro also encouraged women to join the labor force and persuaded men to respect the rights of women and to treat them as equals.  On the other hand, human rights violations drove many Cubans to flee the country. Castros drastic nationalization of the economy ended private investments, which employed many Cubans.

Conclusion
Revisit your thesis statement
The Cuban revolution did not just overthrow the Batista regime it also brought about radical changes in the domestic and foreign policies.

Recap the main ideas in your research.

The revolution succeeded because of the wide support Castro and his band of revolutionaries got from the different spectrums of Cuban society.  The united front was simply based on the objective of ousting Batista.  However, when Castro came into power, he introduced changes that were not anticipated by some sectors, especially those from the middle class. This was because it was only later that he unmasked his intentions of building a socialist society. Despite of the revolutions many advantages, a number of people were also disenfranchised because of socialist policies.

Impact of the event on world history
The Cuban revolution became a source of inspiration for many Latin American revolutionaries fighting against dictatorships.  It also threatened US interests in these countries.  Because it occurred, during the Cold War, it shaped the US attitude towards countries fighting for national and social liberation.