The Cuban Revolution successfully overthrew the Batista regime in 1959. Fidel Castro, along with revolutionary figures such as Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos, led a guerrilla campaign against the authoritarian government, which was increasingly unpopular due to corruption, repression, and economic hardships. The culmination of the revolution in January 1959 saw Castro’s forces take Havana, effectively dismantling Batista's rule. This event was significant not only for Cuba, as it led to the establishment of a socialist state but also for Cold War dynamics, as the U.S. responded with hostility and sanctions, culminating in events such as the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis.