The influential leader of the Cuban revolution was Fidel Castro. Rising to prominence in the mid-20th century, Castro led a guerrilla movement against the regime of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. His revolution culminated in the overthrow of Batista in 1959, which established a socialist state in Cuba. Castro's government implemented extensive reforms in education, healthcare, and land distribution but also faced criticism for human rights abuses and repression of dissent. His alignment with the Soviet Union had significant implications for U.S.-Cuba relations, particularly during events like the Cuban Missile Crisis.