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Cuban Revolution's Major Figures, Ernesto "Che" Guevara Thesis

¶ … Cuban Revolution's major figures, Ernesto "Che" Guevara is widely known as a guerrilla leader and a Marxist revolutionary. However, to some people, he is considered both a mass murderer and a terrorist. Even though some view Ernesto "Che" Guevara as a murderer, he was an idealist and an intellectual with a genuine desire to change Latin America. Ernesto "Che" Guevara as an Intellectual and Idealist

To begin with, it can be noted that Guevara's revolutionary mind and consequent involvement in social reforms in Guatemala was informed by what he witnessed firsthand while traversing Latin America. Mainly, it was the endemic alienation and poverty he witnessed that led to his radical transformation. In his opinion, the economic inequalities that were deeply ingrained in the region were largely as a result of imperialism, neocolonialism and imperialism. Based on this, Guevara concluded that a revolution was the only way to remedy the situation. Hence in a way, Guevara's involvement in guerrilla activity was inspired by the need for reforms. For this, Ernesto "Che" Guevara should be remembered as a reformist, an intellectual and an idealist.

Next, the meteoric rise of Guevara among the insurgents keen on overthrowing the Batista regime which had dictatorial tendencies must have been as a result of his brilliance, drive as well as reformist credentials. Within a relatively short period of time (one year), Guevara had risen to second-in-command (Dosal, 2004). It is unlikely he would have gained such...

Some of the roles in which Guevara was a key player included the institution of the agrarian reforms, the facilitation of literacy campaigns across the nation etc. Clearly, this shows that Guevara was indeed honestly concerned about the welfare of the masses. Thus, in one way or the other, such key roles played by Guevara upon the formation of a new government bring forth an image of an idealist other than a murderer.
Next, it can be noted that over time, Guevara has been lauded by an array of notables who have branded him a hero. Amongst those who have praised Guevara's work include former South African president Nelson Mandela who also happens to be a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. In Mandela's own opinion, Guevara is "an inspiration for every human being who loves freedom" (Moore, 2011). Others who have lauded Guevara's efforts include but are not limited to Susan Sontag, a well-known political activist; Frantz Fanon, a popular revolutionary and philosopher; and Stokely Carmichael who is better known for his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. In the 1960s. According to Carmichael, Guevara's ideas still linger amongst us. Hence given his global recognition as a heroic figure, one could only conclude that…

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References

Dosal, P.J. (2004). Comandante Che: Guerrilla Soldier, Commander, and Strategist. 1956-1967. U.S.A: Penn State Press.

Llosa, A.V. (2005, July 11). The Killing Machine: Guevara, From Communist Firebrand to Capitalist Brand. Retrieved 8th Jan 2012, from the Independent Institute website: http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=1535

Moore, C. (2011). Propaganda Prints: A History of Art in the Service of Social and Political Change. Great Britain: A&C Black.
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