Fidel Castro was a Cuban revolutionary and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976 and as the President of Cuba from 1976 to 2008. He was born on August 13, 1926, in Birán, Cuba, and died on November 25, 2016, in Havana, Cuba.
Castro was a key figure in the Cuban Revolution, which overthrew the US-backed Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959. After taking power, he transformed Cuba into a socialist state, nationalizing industry and implementing land reform. He also developed close ties with the Soviet Union, which led to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
Castro was a controversial figure, with some seeing him as a heroic revolutionary who stood up to US imperialism and fought for social justice and others viewing him as a ruthless dictator who suppressed political dissent and violated human rights.
During his time in power, Castro implemented a one-party system in Cuba, with the Communist Party as the only legal political party. He also restricted freedom of speech and press and persecuted political dissidents, leading to criticism from human rights organizations.
Despite this, Castro remained popular among many Cubans for his efforts to improve healthcare, education, and living conditions in Cuba. His legacy continues to be debated, with some viewing him as a champion of the poor and oppressed, while others see him as a symbol of repression and authoritarianism.
Nikita Khrushchev (1894-1971) was a Soviet politician who played a major role in the politics of the Soviet Union during the Cold War. He served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964, and was also the Premier of the Soviet Union from 1958 to 1964.
Khrushchev rose to power after the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953, and he initiated a program of de-Stalinization, which involved denouncing the excesses of Stalin's rule and promoting a more liberal approach to government. During his tenure, Khrushchev oversaw significant changes in the Soviet Union, including the development of the Soviet space program, the construction of the Berlin Wall, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Khrushchev was known for his bombastic style and his willingness to challenge the West. He famously pounded his shoe on a desk during a speech at the United Nations in 1960, and he also engaged in heated debates with U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower and British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. However, his attempts at reform ultimately fell short, and he was removed from power in 1964.
Measures 30 x 24.