Castro undertook many social reforms following his coming to power in January 1959. They included attempts to improve education, housing health, medical facilities and communications. There was equality for black people and more rights for women. There were touring cinemas, theatres, concerts, and art exhibitions. By the end of the 1970s the government could claim considerable success, especially in the area of social reform. All children were now receiving some education, instead of few than half during the Batista regime. Sanitation, hygiene and health care were much improved, unemployment and corruption reduced, and there was a greater sense of equality and stability than ever before. At pre

sent, the social services in Cuba are in far better condition than in any other Latin American country. Great emphasis is placed on primary education. Even with the power cuts, reduced urban transport systems, food shortages and devaluation of the peso since 1990, classrooms are always open, even when there are no books available. 96% of Cubans are literate; virtually every Cuban under the age of 30 can read and write. The Cuban government has also invested heavily in art education and sponsorship and funds schools of music, fine arts, ballet, and dance. The extremely high caliber in the arts is internationally recognized, with such prominent names as the National Cuban Ballet and other numerous artists. However, Castro has not exactly been met with all success-no failure. There are some not so impressive statistics suggesting the high degree of repression by the Castro regime; one Cuban in every 350 has or is being imprisoned, and 400 are now being jailed as political prisoners. Around 50% of the Cuban male population are known to the police or have previous records. The Cuban police forces regularly carry revolvers, tear gas and electric truncheons. The crime rate itself is very low, so the equipment of the police and the jail population seems to indicate the highly repressive behavior shown towards Cuban civilians.

Castro, as with Cuban society, worked vigorously to bring the Cuban economy back on its feet; although Cuba was prosperous compared with other Latin American countries by 1959 when he came to power, she was too dependent on the exports of sugar, and the wealth of the country was concentrated in the hands of a few. The USA literally controlled the Cuban economy. American companies held controlling interests in all Cuban industries (sugar, tobacco, textiles, iron, nickel, copper, manganese, paper and rum), owned

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