On January 1, 1959, Fidel Castro’s revolutionary movement overthrew the government of Fulgencio Batista, marking the triumph of the Cuban Revolution. The new regime swiftly set Cuba on a radically different path, transforming its political and economic systems. Over the ensuing decades, Cuba’s history has been shaped by the consolidation of a one-party socialist state, intense Cold War dynamics, a longstanding confrontation with the United States, and periodic crises and reforms. This white paper provides a comprehensive overview of Cuban history from 1959 to the present, covering major political, economic, social, and international developments. The narrative is presented in a factual and balanced manner, noting differing perspectives where relevant – from the revolutionary government’s supporters who emphasize social gains in education and health care, to critics who point to authoritarian rule and economic hardships. The goal is to give students a clear, structured account of Cuba’s post-1959 history, including key events such as the early consolidation of the revolution, the tumultuous U.S.–Cuba relationship, the Cold War era, economic transformations, the fallout from the Soviet Union’s collapse, the 1990s “Special Period,” leadership transitions from Fidel Castro to Raúl Castro and then Miguel Díaz-Canel, recent constitutional reforms, and ongoing changes up to the present day.