The Cuban Revolution occurred between 1953 and 1959. It began as an attempt to overthrow the authoritarian government of Fulgencio Batista and replace it with a democratic socialist system. Key events included Fidel Castro and his brother Raul meeting Ernesto "Che" Guevara in 1955. Guevara led a successful attack on Santa Clara in 1958 that weakened Batista's government. Batista fled Cuba on January 1, 1959 and Manuel Urrutia became president until Fidel Castro became Premier in January 1959, marking the victory of the revolution.