Fidel Castro became leader of Cuba in 1959. What was the name of the president who was overthrown in the revolution led by Castro?

Fulgencio Batista, the Cuban President.

Explanation:

The Cuban Revolution was led by the revolutionary leader Fidel Castro. It was a result of the government under President Fulgencio Batista's dictatorial power over the people.

Fulgencio had been previously a soldier, head of the military with immense power. He had used his influence to control many presidents of Cuba and he himself had been president before in between 1940-1944. Then, he gained a second term in 1952 as a result of a military coup and suspending the election. He had lucrative links with organized crimes and even allowed the intrusion of American companies to manage businesses in the country. He antagonized the Cuban people, who had a major hatred for Communist Party of Cuba who had not supported him during his first presidency.

At this time, Fidel Castro was just a young lawyer and activist. He began petitioning for the overthrow of Batista, accusing him of corruption and tyrannical power he exerts as the President. But these accusations were rejected by the courts. Accepting that this flaw can't be resolved by legal means, he began to launch a revolution calling for his departure. He and his brother Raul Castro founded a paramilitary organisation, "The Movement" and began recruiting people unhappy about the current government in anticipation of fighting against the strong military opposition of Batista's government.

After numerous imprisonments and various other oppositions, including killings of many volunteers, the movement gained momentum in 1958 and the troops of Batista were defeated. After fighting many wars and oppositions, Batista fled Havana and the army of the Castro brothers reached Havana, finally taking control of the government. On January 3 1959, Manuel Urrutia Lleo, the initial choice of Castro for the President of Cuba took office, thus ending Batista's reign.