The Cuba Revolution (1953-1959) was an armed revolt in the mid-1950's. It was led by Fidel Castro against the brutal dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. The revolt took place between 1953 and 1959. Batista was finally removed from office on January 1, 1959. Cuba and the Soviet Union had similar interests to promote and expand communism. With Cuba's proximity to the United States, Castro and his regime became an important Cold War ally for the Soviets. The relationship was for the most part economic, with the Soviet Union providing military, economic, and political assistance to Cuba.