<P> Our revolution is endangering all American possessions in Latin America . We are telling these countries to make their own revolution . </P> <P> On 15 April 1959, Castro began an 11 - day visit to the United States, at the invitation of the American Society of Newspaper Editors . He said during his visit: "I know the world thinks of us, we are Communists, and of course I have said very clear that we are not Communists; very clear ." </P> <P> Hundreds of Batista - era agents, policemen and soldiers were put on public trial, accused of human rights abuses, war crimes, murder, and torture . About 200 of the accused people were convicted of political crimes by revolutionary tribunals and then executed by firing squad; others received long sentences of imprisonment . A notable example of revolutionary justice occurred after the capture of Santiago, where Raúl Castro directed the execution of more than seventy Batista POWs . For his part in taking Havana, Che Guevara was appointed supreme prosecutor in La Cabaña Fortress . This was part of a large - scale attempt by Fidel Castro to cleanse the security forces of Batista loyalists and potential opponents of the new revolutionary government . Though many were killed or imprisoned, others were fortunate enough to be dismissed from the army and police without prosecution, and some high - ranking officials of the Batista administration were exiled as military attachés . Most scholars agree that those executed were probably guilty as accused, but the trials did not follow due process . </P> <P> During its first decade in power, the Castro government introduced a wide range of progressive social reforms . Laws were introduced to provide equality for black Cubans and greater rights for women, while there were attempts to improve communications, medical facilities, health, housing, and education . In addition, there were touring cinemas, art exhibitions, concerts, and theatres . By the end of the 1960s, all Cuban children were receiving some education (compared with less than half before 1959), unemployment and corruption were reduced, and great improvements were made in hygiene and sanitation . </P>

What led to the cuban revolution of 1959