Cuban Revolution Overview

Study Notes

Fidel Castro led a successful revolution in the late 1950s, overthrowing Cuban Director Fulgencio Batista.
After gaining power, Castro established a communist regime and served as Prime Minister and Commander in Chief.
Strengthened ties with the Soviet Union, ultimately leading to the Cuban Missile Crisis, a pivotal moment in the Cold War.

An active military draft for the Korean War emerged in the early 1950s.
Male college students could complete their academic year before entering military service or the draft.
Some men from the South were deemed unfit for military service.

In April 1954, directors from Hempfield and nearby areas agreed to merge school districts.
The merger followed disagreements among directors but concluded with a cooperative consensus.

Television expanded sports' audiences, particularly boosting the popularity of baseball.
Compact sports like wrestling and boxing benefitted from easy coverage and audience engagement.
Early broadcasts lacked advanced technology and replay options, but quality improved during the decade.
By 1958, 800 major league baseball games were televised, and football began to attract significant network investments.
Increased TV coverage contributed to reduced attendance at minor-league baseball games.
Legislative advancements such as the Sports Broadcasting Act enhanced national sports coverage.

Olympics became intertwined with political tensions, despite claims of neutrality.
1952 Helsinki Olympics featured Soviet athletes housed under restrictive conditions and a boycott from Nationalist China.
1956 Melbourne Olympics saw multiple country boycotts due to global conflicts and biased judging accusations.
Hungarian athletes famously defected after a contentious match with the USSR.

Launched on August 16, 1954, transforming sports journalism for middle-class Americans.
Initially diverse in content, it shifted focus to major male sports like baseball and football by the late 1950s.
The magazine innovated investigative sports journalism addressing topics such as fitness and gambling.

Althea Gibson: First African American to win major tennis tournaments, including Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals, dominating women's tennis from 1956 to 1958.
Ben Hogan: Overcame a severe bus accident to win the U.S. National Open a year later; renowned for skill and technical proficiency, winning over sixty tournaments.
Bill Russell: Known for his exceptional rebounding and defense; led the Boston Celtics to eleven championships and broke racial barriers as the first African American head coach in the NBA.
Rocky Marciano: Undefeated heavyweight champion with a perfect career record; gained fame by defeating Joe Walcott and retiring without losses.
Mickey Mantle: Yankee legend with remarkable seasons; won the Triple Crown in 1956, noted for leadership and consistency in performance.
Willie Mays: Star player for the New York Giants, known for his exceptional skills, including a record of 660 home runs; pivotal in the Giants' triumph during the 1954 World Series.

In the 1950s, the NFL surpassed college football in popularity, capturing a nationwide audience.
Television revolutionized the sport by making every play a major event.
While the NFL rose, college football remained popular due to passionate rivalries, encompassing teams like Notre Dame.