Fidel Castro emerged from the foothills of the Sierra Mountains as a symbol of freedom and equality, mottos of the long awaited Cuban revolution. This was in 1959, Fidel Castro has managed to maintain his absolute power for over 44 years.

Fidel Castro’s educational reform was partially responsible for keeping him in power. In other words, to further enhance his political position, Fidel Castro introduced popular education programs to gain mass support. In 1961 Fidel Castro introduced the “Campaign Against Illiteracy”. Some 300.000 people were mobilized to provide the 1 million estimated Cuban illiterates with basic reading and writing skills and in the process promote national solidarity and a belief in the revolution and its leaders. By 1960 the Cuban government assumed responsibility for education from kindergarten to university. In addition, the Cuban government provided 275 million pesos for the further development of education, four times the pre-1959 levels. As a result, the number of schools and students more than doubled in a decade. Illiteracy rate challenged those of firs world countries thanks to Fidel Castro’s investments in education. Although education programs expanded Fidel Castro’s base of support, critics pointed to its ideological content at the sacrifice of critical thinking. Moreover, Jacobo Timmerman, noted in his book observing life in Castro’s Cuba that Cuba’s vaunted educational reforms left no room for critical thinking. The Cuban youth was indoctrinated form kindergarten al the way to university. Collage acceptance went hand in hand with the students “revolutionary personality”. Fidel Castro further enhanced his political position by introducing educational reforms. Fidel Castro also managed to indoctrinate the youth of Cuba so they would always be a working part of the revolutionary machine, Cuba.

Fidel Castro’s international victories were partially responsible for keeping him in power. Fidel Castro managed to spread revolutionary victories around the world. This caused his image, already being idolized due to his social and educational reforms, to reach an all time high. By 1979 thirty-five countries around the world were receiving military and civil aid form Cuba. In Angola alone, over 300 Cubans were working in the health system. These revolutionary workers were also responsible for developing health facilities, improving Angolan living standards. The Cuban/Angolan victory over the American backed South African troops help Fidel Castro Consolidate power at home. Castro was seen as a revolutionary liberator. In addition, Fidel Castro succeeded at bettering relations with his South American brothers causing his popularity to increase at home. Castro coordinated the setup of the Latin American Economic System (SELA) in 1975, in an attempt to synchronize economic policy and reduce their dependence on the U.S.A. These alliances along with Castro’s revolutionary victories in Angola were partially responsible for helping Castro consolidate power at home.

Fidel Castro has consolidated power longer than any political figure he has interacted with for the last 40 years. His social reform placed the majority of the population on his side, his educational reform increased his popularity twice fold as the people saw him as a provider, and righteous leader. His educational reform was responsible for the indoctrination of millions of young Cubans who now treasure Fidel Castro and his revolution. And finally Fidel Castro’s international victories and alliances increased his popularity as well.