2.2 The Cuban Crisis Flashcards
When did Castro seize power in Cuba
1959
When was the Bay of pigs invadion
April 1961
Why did Kennedy order the bay of pigs invasion
When Castro took power in cuba he nationalised all businesses, meaning he took over US firms as well. This made the US furious and cut off all aid to Cuba.
Then in 1969 the Soviet union agreed to buy 1m tonnes of Cuban sugar every year, making them closer to Cuba.
Then Castro announced he was communist
The US were worried because of this as now a communist country was only 90 miles away so he felt he had to do something
What was the Bay of Pigs for the US
A humiliating and embarrassing failure
Why did the Bay of Pigs seem hypocritical by the US
This is because the US previously accused the Soviets of trying to build an empire in Europe when they just did the same thing by invading a soviet country
Why was the Bay if pigs a good propaganda victory for the soviets
This is because it showed that the people where happy to be under communism as not many people supported the Cuban exiles helping the US
What did the Bay of pigs do for relations between Cuba and the Soviets
This strengthend relations between the two as after this Castro asked help from the Soviets for any future invasions so then Krushchev publically announced that they will give arms to Cuba
What did the Bay of pigs do for Kennedy’s thoughts on Cuba
Kennedy was now extremely concerned as Cuba now had modern military and training
When did the Cuban missile crisis start and how
On the 14 October 1962 a US U2 -spy plans took pictures of a launch pads for missiles in cuba
What were the events of the Cuban missile crisis
14th October U2 spy plane showed the missile pads
Kennedy informed about ships heading to Cuba with missiles
Kennedy meets with Executive commitee everyday for 13days to decide what to do
22nd of October US decide not to attck but set up naval blockade around Cuba (no ships were allowed in without US permission)
Kennedy went on TV telling shocked US about missiles in Cuba
24 October Soviets reach blockade and turn around
26 October krushchev sent kennedy telegram saying he will remove missiles for no invasion
Another telegram came through the next day saying he’ll remove missiles is US remove missiles from Turkey
Kennedy accepted the first offer
Secret deal said they both would remove missiles
What were the consequences of the Cuban missile crisis
1963 hotline 1963 Test Ban Treaty 1967 Outer space Treaty 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty World a safer place Truman gain in popularity Krushchev lose popularity/ seen as a humilition for the military
