Fidel Castro: Animal Farm Antics

Fidel Castro: Animal Farm Antics

In 1952, Fulgencio Batista overthrew the Cuban government and became a dictator. Fidel Castro then organized a group of rebel forces and defeated Batista in 1959. Castro was then elected by common city dwellers as the undisputed prime minister of Cuba. Later on, he became president through several techniques used to gain and maintain his rule. Therefore, Fidel Castro is similar to Napoleon from Animal Farm because both use lies, censorship, and police terror to gain and maintain control.

Fidel Castro is a man of strong beliefs. He grew up in a wealthy family and received an excellent education. At a young age, he went into politics where he joined an anti-communist political party. When Batista

“Fidel Castro: The Political Leader of Cuba” states, “Castro had come to power with the support of most Cuban city dwellers on the basis of his promises…but once established as Cuba’s leader he began to pursue more radical ideas” (8). From this evidence, the article highlights Castro’s use of lies to gain the trust of the people. Castro had promised many things, including to reinstate the 1940 constitution, promote and honest administration, and reinstate civil and political liberties. These lies satisfied the emotional needs the people and their fears of another dictatorship. By promising the changes Cuba’s citizens wanted, Castro obtained control. Animal Farm reads, “‘Snowball has done this thing! In sheer malignity, thinking to set back our plans and avenge himself for his ignominious expulsion’” (Orwell 70). The author includes Napoleon 's false statement about Snowball knocking down the windmill to emphasize how he uses lies to keep the support of the working animals on Animal Farm This lie gives the animals a common enemy and makes them forever hate Napoleon’s competitor, Snowball. By using lies, both Fidel Castro and Napoleon were able to gain the support of the average