Biography of Fulgencio Batista, Cuban President and Dictator

Fulgencio Batista (January 16, 1901–August 6, 1973) was a Cuban army officer who rose to the presidency on two occasions, from 1940–1944 and 1952–1958. He also held a great deal of national influence from 1933 to 1940, although he did not at that time hold any elected office. He is perhaps best remembered as the Cuban president who was overthrown by Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution of 1953–1959. Fast Facts: Fulgencio Batista Known For: President of Cuba, 1940–1944 and 1952–1958Born: January 16, 1901 in Banes, CubaParents: Belisario Batista Palermo and Carmela Zaldà ­var Gonzà ¡les (1886–1916)Died: August 6, 1973 in Guadalmina, SpainEducation: Quaker grade school in Banes, 4th gradeSpouse(s): Elisa Godinez (m. 19261946); Marta Fernandez Miranda (m. 1946–1973)Children: 8 Early Life Fulgencio Batista was born Rubà ©n Fulgencio Batista Zaldà ­var on January 16, 1901, the first of four sons born to Belisario Batista Palermo and Carmela Zaldà ­var Gonzà ¡les, in the Veguitas section of Banes, in Cubas northeastern Oriente province. Belisario had fought in the Cuban war of independence against Spain under General Jose Maceo, and he was a sugar cane cutter employed by a local contractor for the United Fruit Company. The family was poor and the relationship between Fulgencio Batista and his father was not good, and so Fulgencio took it upon himself to raise, educate, and care for his younger brothers Juan (b. 1905), Hermelindo (b. 1906), and Francisco (b. 1911). Fulgencio began studying at the age of 10 at the Quaker school in Banes when it opened in September 1911. The mostly Cuban students were taught in Spanish, and Batista graduated in 1913 with a fourth-grade education. He then worked in the sugar cane fields with his father. During the off-season, he worked in a variety of small jobs in town, including as apprentice to a barber and a tailor. His mother died in 1916; the following year at age 15, Fulgencio Batista ran away from home. Joining the Military Between 1916 and 1921, Batista was frequently destitute, often homeless, and traveled while working an odd assortment of jobs until landing a job with the Ferrocarriles del Norte railway in Camagà ¼ey Province. He sent money home when he could, but was nearly killed in an accident at the railroad that left him hospitalized for several weeks and scarred him for life. Although there were late-night parties, drinking, and womanizing among the railway employees, Batista rarely attended and was instead remembered as a voracious reader. In 1921, Batista enlisted in the Cuban Army and joined the First Battalion of the 4th Infantry in Havana on April 14, 1921. On July 10, 1926, he married Elisa Godà ­nez Gà ³mez (1905–1993); they would have three children (Ruben, Mirta, and Elisa). Batista was made sergeant in 1928 and worked as an army stenographer for General Machados chief of Staff, General Herrera. Collapse of the Machado Government Batista was a young sergeant in the army when the repressive government of General Gerardo Machado fell apart in 1933. The charismatic Batista organized the so-called â€Å"Sergeant’s Rebellion† of non-commissioned officers and seized control of the armed forces. By making alliances with student groups and unions, Batista was able to put himself in a position where he was effectively ruling the country. He eventually broke with the student groups, including the Revolutionary Directorate (a student activist group) and they became his implacable enemies. First Presidential Term, 1940–1944 In 1938, Batista ordered a new constitution and ran for president. In 1940 he was elected president in a somewhat crooked election, and his party won a majority in Congress. During his term, Cuba formally entered World War II on the side of the Allies. Although he presided over a relatively stable time and the economy was good, he was defeated in the 1944 elections by Dr. Ramà ³n Grau. His wife Elisa was the First Lady of Cuba, but in October 1945, he divorced her and six weeks later married Marta Fernandez Miranda (1923–2006). They would eventually have five children together (Jorge Luis, Roberto Francisco, Fulgencio Jose, and Marta Maluf, Carlos Manuel). Return to the Presidency Batista and his new wife moved to Daytona Beach in the United States for a while before deciding to re-enter Cuban politics. He was elected senator in 1948 and they returned to Cuba. He established the Unitary Action Party and ran for president in 1952, assuming that most Cubans had missed him during his years away. Soon, it became apparent that he would lose: he was running a distant third to Roberto Agramonte of the Ortodoxo Party and Dr. Carlos Hevia of the Autà ©ntico party. Fearful of losing entirely his weakening grip on power, Batista and his allies in the military decided to take control of the government by force. Batista had a great deal of support. Many of his former cronies in the military had been weeded out or passed over for promotion in the years since Batista had left: it is suspected that many of these officers may have gone ahead with the takeover even if they had not convinced Batista to go along with it. In the early hours of March 10, 1952, about three months before the election was scheduled, the plotters silently took control of the Camp Columbia military compound and the fort of La Cabaà ±a. Strategic spots such as railways, radio stations, and utilities were all occupied. President Carlos Prà ­o, learning too late of the coup, tried to organize a resistance but could not: he ended up seeking asylum in the Mexican embassy. Batista quickly reasserted himself, placing his old cronies back in positions of power. He publicly justified the takeover by saying that President Prà ­o had intended to stage his own coup in order to remain in power. Young firebrand lawyer Fidel Castro tried to bring Batista to court to answer for the illegal takeover, but he was thwarted: he decided that legal means of removing Batista would not work. Many Latin American countries quickly recognized the Batista government and on May 27 the United States also extended formal recognition. Fidel Castro and Revolution Castro, who would likely have been elected to Congress had the elections taken place, had learned that there was no way of legally removing Batista and began organizing a revolution. On July 26, 1953, Castro and a handful of rebels ​attacked the army barracks at Moncada, igniting the Cuban Revolution. The attack failed and Fidel and Raà ºl Castro were jailed, but it brought them a great deal of attention. Many captured rebels were executed on the spot, resulting in a lot of negative press for the government. In prison, Fidel Castro began organizing the 26th of July movement, named after the date of the Moncada assault. Batista had been aware of Castro’s rising political star for some time  and had once even given Castro a $1,000 wedding present in an attempt to keep him friendly. After Moncada, Castro went to jail, but not before publicly making his own trial about the illegal power grab. In 1955 Batista ordered the release of many political prisoners, including those who had attacked Moncada. The Castro brothers went to Mexico to organize the revolution. Batista’s Cuba The Batista era was a golden age of tourism in Cuba. North Americans flocked to the island for relaxation and to stay at the famous hotels and casinos. The American mafia had a strong presence in Havana, and Lucky Luciano lived there for a time. Legendary mobster Meyer Lansky worked with Batista to complete projects, including the Havana Riviera hotel. Batista took a huge cut of all casino takings and amassed millions. Famous celebrities liked to visit and Cuba became synonymous with a good time for vacationers. Acts headlined by celebrities such as Ginger Rogers and Frank Sinatra performed at the hotels. Even American Vice President Richard Nixon visited. Outside of Havana, however, things were grim. Poor Cubans saw little benefit from the tourism boom and more and more of them tuned into rebel radio broadcasts. As the rebels in the mountains gained strength and influence, Batista’s police and security forces turned increasingly to torture and murder in an effort to root out the rebellion. The universities, traditional centers of unrest, were closed. Exit from Power In Mexico, the Castro brothers found many disillusioned Cubans willing to fight the revolution. They also picked up Argentine doctor  Ernesto â€Å"Chà ©Ã¢â‚¬  Guevara. In November of 1956, they returned to Cuba  on board the yacht Granma. For years they waged a guerrilla war against Batista. The 26th of July movement was joined by others inside Cuba who did their part to destabilize the nation: the Revolutionary Directorate, the student group that Batista had alienated years before, almost assassinated him in March of 1957. Castro and his men controlled huge sections of the country and had their own hospital, schools and radio stations. By late 1958 it was clear that the Cuban Revolution would win, and  when Chà © Guevara’s column captured the city of Santa Clara,  Batista decided it was time to go. On January 1, 1959, he authorized some of his officers to deal with the rebels and he and his wife fled, allegedly taking millions of dollars with them. Death The wealthy exiled president never returned to politics, even though he was still only in his 50s when he fled Cuba. He eventually settled in Portugal and worked for an insurance company. He also wrote several books and died on August 6, 1973, in Guadalmina, Spain. He left eight children, and one of his grandchildren, Raoul Cantero, became a judge on the Florida Supreme Court. Legacy Batista was corrupt, violent and out of touch with his people (or perhaps he simply didn’t care about them). Still, in comparison with fellow dictators such as the Somozas in Nicaragua, the Duvaliers in Haiti or even  Alberto Fujimori  of Peru, he was relatively benign. Much of his money was made by taking bribes and payoffs from foreigners, such as his percentage of the haul from the casinos. Therefore, he looted state funds less than other dictators did. He did frequently order the murder of prominent political rivals, but ordinary Cubans had little to fear from him until the revolution began, when his tactics turned increasingly brutal and repressive. The Cuban Revolution was less the result of Batista’s cruelty, corruption, and indifference than it was of Fidel Castro’s ambition. Castro’s charisma, conviction, and ambition are singular: he would have clawed his way to the top or died trying. Batista was in Castro’s way, so he removed him. That’s not to say that Batista did not help Castro greatly. At the time of the revolution, most Cubans despised Batista, the exceptions being the very wealthy who were sharing in the loot. Had he shared Cuba’s new wealth with his people, organized a return to democracy and improved conditions for the poorest Cubans, Castro’s revolution might never have taken hold. Even Cubans who have fled Castro’s Cuba and constantly rail against him rarely defend Batista: perhaps the only thing they agree on with Castro is that Batista had to go. Sources Argote-Freyre. Fulgencio Batista: The Making of a Dictator. Vol. 1: From Revolutionary to Strongman. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 2006.Batista y Zaldivar, Fulgencio. Cuba Betrayed. Literary Licensing, 2011.  Castaà ±eda, Jorge C.  Compaà ±ero: the Life and Death of Che Guevara. New York: Vintage Books, 1997.Coltman, Leycester. The Real Fidel Castro. Kindle Edition, Thistle Publishing, December 2, 2013.Whitney, Robert W. Appointed by Destiny: Fulgencio Batista and the Disciplining of the Cuban Masses, 1934–1936.  State and Revolution in Cuba: Mass Mobilization and Political Change, 1920–1940. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 2001. 122–132.

Assessment Methods For A Learner s Knowledge - 2396 Words

Assessment Methods There are various assessment methods that can be used in different scenarios for different reasons. Observation Observation is one of the primary assessments and will be used often, as you should be observing the learners’ at all times ensuring that learning is taking place. You need to be observant of body language or actions such as raised hands in case a learner has missed something or has a question to ask. You also need to be observant to any hazards within your learning environment such as obstacles on the floor that may cause an accident. Questions Both written and oral are another good way of assessment, which are used regularly. Oral questions are a good way to engage with your learners’ plus get discussions going which can assist with gaining current knowledge depth of your learners. Written questions are good in a learning environment as a learner can express their selves in written form that can lead to deeper thoughts being captured. Written questions can be used in an exam to test a learner’s knowledge. Past Experience and Achievements You can use past experience and achievements as a starting point for assessment. If you have a learner who may have worked or studied in the area that you are teaching, you can assess that experience then decide where to start on the subject for future assessment. Electronic Assessments Electronic assessments are a good way to check learners’ ability whilst using equipment like computers and software.Show MoreRelatedReview and Evaluate a Range of Different Assessment Methods Available for a Tutor to Use Throughout the Teaching/Training Cycle and Explain the Ones You Would Use in the Context of Your Subject Area. Justify the Types772 Words   |  4 Pagesdifferent assessment methods available for a tutor to use throughout the teaching/training cycle and explain the ones you would use in the context of your subject area. 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The Psychosocial Needs of Cancer Patients free essay sample

Cancer is a disease with no regard for age, gender, or ethnicity. In 2013 nearly 1,600 people a day died from cancer; and â€Å"cancer remains the second most common cause of death in the US† (ACS, 2013). There are twenty three cancer types currently identified. However, many people still do not understand what a diagnosis of cancer means, how cancer progresses, or the common complications with cancer. All valuable information that must be addressed before choosing a treatment option, discussing treatment side effects, and identifying the support systems a person will need while receiving treatment. Despite advances in treatment and care the public continues to have a great deal of anxiety and fear when diagnosed with cancer. Partially because people do not understand what having cancer means. Every living organism is made up of cells. These cells divide at a controlled rate with a specific function and multiply to replace damaged cells. While cancer cells grow and multiply with no control, destroying healthy cells in its’ path, and ultimately invading parts of the body inhibiting its’ function. Biologists have labeled cancer cells as any invading cell that can control proliferation and differentiation. Proliferation is the lifecycle of normal cells, to include regeneration of new cells as cells die. One of the phenomenon’s of normal proliferation is that the cells remain in their territory and do not inhibit cellular growth to surrounding cell membranes (Lewis, 2007). Differentiation is when a stem cell is coded to perform a specific function and under normal conditions these cells are unable to change their function. However, cancer is able to alter these naturally occurring processes. Cancer begins are a mutation in replicating DNA, either by genetics or a chemical, radiation, or viral exposure. The mutated DNA then starts proliferation and develop mutated cells; however, these cells do not stay within the boundaries of its originating cellular territory like healthy cells. At this stage the cancer cells have not interrupted normal bodily functions and there are no clinical indications of cancer. However, as the cancer progresses it can form tumors, invade tissues and organs, and eventually travels to other organs in the body. With a greater understanding of what cancer is, when do clinical indications and a diagnosis of cancer occur? As any disease spreads through the body it is known as staging, as a disease spreads it rises in stage; thus the higher the number the greater amount of cancer invading a person. Cancer has five stages and staging is accomplished during the diagnostic workup phase which enables physicians to provide the appropriate treatment plan. Diagnostic tools used to stage cancer include blood work, MRI, CT scan, PET scan, ultrasound, and biopsy of the affected cells. Stage zero is known as cancer in situ, this is when the cancer is still new and remains in the originating tissue. Stage one indicates a tumor has developed, but it is localized in the original tissue, has not affected the lymph nodes, and has not spread to any surrounding tissues. Stages zero and one have the best treatment outcomes (ASCO, 2013). Stage two indicates the cancer tumor is larger, the cells have spread to the surrounding tissues to include the lymph nodes. Stage three is very similar to stage two, however, the size of the tumor and invasion of surrounding tissues is much larger. While stage four occurs when the cancer has spread to multiple areas of the body and is considered advanced or metastatic cancer. When cancer has metastasized it means the cancer has traveled to another organ of the body it does not neighbor, such as from the colon to the liver or the pancreas to the brain. As cancer spreads it affects multiple body systems, this along with treatment can cause several complications. The most common complications include pain, fatigue, and nausea. However, as cancer progresses it can press on nearby nerves resulting in pain and loss of function to parts of the body. Should the cancer involve the brain this type of nerve interaction can cause severe headaches and stroke like symptoms (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Some clients may develop paraneoplastic syndromes, this is when the body’s own immune system reacts to the cancer and begins to attack healthy cells. This paraneoplastic syndrome can present itself in a number of symptoms to include difficulty walking and seizures. Finally cancer can affect the chemical balance in the body. Which can present as excessive thirst, frequent urination, constipation and dementia. A diagnosis of cancer does not only affect the originating tissues as it grows and during treatment it can affect the person as a whole. Cancer is treated differently depending on what researchers have found to be most effective for the given type of cancer. Common treatments include chemotherapy, radiation, bone marrow transplant, surgery, immunotherapy, and target therapy. Each of these therapies has complications that must be considered prior to treatment. Chemotherapy is the use of medications to destroy or stop the growth of cancer cells (ACS, 2014). Chemotherapy is used to destroy caner, shrink tumors for surgical removal, enhance the cancer killing effects of radiation, and palliative care. Since chemotherapy affects the rapidly dividing cells it also effects healthy cells. Common side effects include anemia due to lack of RBC’s, bleeding disorders due to a lack of platelets, hair loss, GI upset, organ damage, and a high risk for secondary infection related to a lack of WBC’s. Radiation is the use of strong x-rays to kill cancer cells specifically at the tumor location (ACS, 2014). By administering radiation to the tumor you can kill the rapidly dividing cells without damaging cells throughout the body. Yes, the treatment will kill healthy cells in the treatment area, however healthy cells are more prepared to repair themselves than cancer cells. Side effects may differ depending on the affected area, however common side effects include radiation dermatitis, fatigue, and a decreased blood count. Bone marrow transplants (BMT) replace diseased cells with noncancerous stem cells that can grow into healthy new cells. BMT is only used when the chances of a cure with chemotherapy alone is very low (ACS, 2014). Common side effects of BMT are anemia, thrombocytopenia, mucositis, secondary infection, and graft vs host disease. Surgery is the procedure of physically removing cancerous tumors from the body. Surgical intervention is greatly impacted by the size, location, type, and extent of the cancer. Primary complications include constipation, headaches, nausea, and pain. Immunotherapy is using the body’s own immune system to fight the cancer. During this therapy patients are given biological response modifiers which naturally enhance the body’s ability to fight cancer. Common side effects are typical flu like symptoms. Finally target therapy is the newest approach to fighting cancer. This therapy uses medications to stop important roles in cancer growth like blocking blood supply, interfering with cancer cell replication, and stopping the interaction with healthy cells (ACS, 2014). Side effects are typically milder than chemotherapy, but do include allergic reactions. With this many treatment options it is important to be patient during the diagnostic phase and truly consider treatment options before jumping into therapy. Finally psychological support during cancer therapy is essential to maintain a positive attitude towards treatment and sustain a high quality of life. There are several fears that come with a diagnosis of cancer to include disfigurement, disruption of relationships, pain, financial depletion, abandonment, and death. Having a strong support system will aid patients as they cope with the many fears they will encounter throughout therapy. Thankfully nurses play a major role in patient and family education when it comes to a healthy support system; not to mention nurses themselves are a patient resource for support. Remind families that it is important to be available and to continue to be available for the person especially during the difficult times. Be caring, listen to their fears and concerns, and offer relief to their distress whenever possible. Maintain a relationship based on trust and confidence this will make it easier to provide essential information regarding their cancer and treatment. Assist the person in reaching their short term and long term goals, as well as maintaining their current lifestyle. Finally always maintain hope; hope can relieve pain, provide motivation, and offer peace of mind. As nurses and family members there are several survivor resources available including the Cancer Survivorship Network, Life After Cancer Care, Live Strong Survivor Care, and the American Cancer Society. As with any disease prevention is the best medicine. Educating the public on the warning signs, early detection, and prevention are the keys to cancer survival. Preventing cancer can be accomplished by limiting alcohol consumption, exercise, having a normal body weight, avoiding tobacco, using sunscreen, and eating a healthy diet. The seven warning signs to cancer can be spelled out as CAUTION: Changes in bowel or bladder, A sore that does not heal, Unusual bleeding or discharge, Thickening skin or a lump, Indigestion or difficulty swallowing, Obvious changes in a mole, and Nagging cough or hoarseness (Lewis, p282). These simple warning signs warrant a swift visit to a physician. Finally early detection is important in catching cancer during its’ early stages with the use of mammograms, colorectal screenings, blood testing, and routine physical examinations. With modern technology and the resources available public education about cancer has been on the rise and early detection has followed right behind it. Hopefully by educating the public on what cancer is, how it affects the body, treatment options, and ways of prevention the public will have tools necessary to help lower the number of deaths per year from cancer.

Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats Essay Example

Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats Paper Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats I think dogs are better than cats for many reasons. I’m sure it is not without reason that dogs are called â€Å"man’s best friend. † They are loyal, obedient, and also protective. Even if their attempts at protection are sometimes unnecessary, at least they try. On one occasion while our family was setting off various fireworks on the Fourth of July, we set off a ground bloom. A ground bloom is basically a firework that spins around on the ground spewing fire in such a way as to look like a flower. Murphy, our terrier, assumed that we had fallen prey to some unknown creature of the night. He attempted to bite the thing, only to be promptly â€Å"bitten† back. Undaunted, he charged in again with the same painful result. One of us was then able to grab onto a very bewildered Murphy until the firework died. Murphy came out of the ordeal with a slightly singed muzzle and a better understanding why not to play with fire. This is more than can be said for cats, which don’t care one iota whether you live or die, so long as they have premium kitty food and a plush velvet cushion for their beauty sleep. Our own cat would rather (and often does) sit out in the rain rather then come into the house through the dog door. We will write a custom essay sample on Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Cats seem to think that they’re a superior species who deserve the very best treatment, and should never associate with other animals of a lower status. They also need to learn to toughen up a little bit. Everything they have has to be soft and fuzzy or extra chewy, ensuring that they exert as little life energy as possible. At times they don’t seem to be much more than small and furry sloths. Cats have no concern for the well-being or comfort of fellow creatures, and will not hesitate to take advantage of other weaker or kinder-hearted animals. If one of their worldly comforts is compromised in any way, they become very moody and go off to sulk until the situation is resolved. An animal with such drastic and sudden attitude changes is certainly not going to be the best pet in the world, although they may very possibly be the worst. They are also terribly ungrateful, showing no thankfulness whatsoever if they are given special treatment of some sort. They just generally assume that any special treatment is nothing more than what they deserve. Cats are overly independent as well, and enjoy pretending that they don’t need you or anyone else. Cats should definitely not be considered your best friend. For a while, our cat’s bed was a soft towel folded up on top of the nice warm hot water heater which suited her just fine until she learned that the dog had a cushion to sleep on. So whenever she had the chance, she kicked the dog off of his cushion and used it herself. We eventually decided to fix the problem by getting the dog another cushion and giving the cat his old one. The new cushion was slightly larger than the old one, which was just as well since it fit him better. The slight change in size however, did not go unnoticed by the cat, who decided that she would share with the dog and give him back his old cushion. Now the dog sleeps in the nice warm house on his large plush cushion, and the cat sleeps in the back room on her small cushion. Dogs’ eagerness to please their masters is also a commendable trait which cats simply don’t have. Without this, it would be very difficult to train dogs for the many jobs they now hold, from aiding law enforcement personnel and herding sheep, to seeing-eye dogs and even helping exterminators locate hard-to-find infestations. Cats on the other hand are difficult to train, and once trained, will rarely perform the task on command, preferring to sleep instead. Murphy certainly wouldn’t be the type of dog used for most jobs, but he’s demonstrated his ability to be trained in other ways. When I decided that I would teach him to beg, I only had to put him through the motions for around 20 minutes each day, and he learned in about three days. He learned to roll over in a similar amount of time. Now he’s even learning to walk on his hind legs! I tried to teach the cat to beg for the fun of it, but she just flopped around when I tried to hold her up, and went back to her bed as soon as I let go. She showed no talent at all as far as willingness or comprehension of what I wanted her to do. Murphy just kept trying until he hit on the right thing, and then caught on almost immediately. Dogs have also performed many heroic deeds from warning a sleeping family of a house fire to fighting to the death to protect their master. (Whoever heard of a heroic cat? ) This is why I think dogs are better than cats.