Cold War Chapter 2: Cold War Crises, 1558-70 (Year 10 EOY) Flashcards
When dod the Bay of Pigs occur?
17 April 1961
What caused the ‘Bay of Pigs’ incident?
President Kennedy (who took over from Eisenhower
in 1961) did not want a Communist ally so close to
American territory. He therefore gave his support to a plan agreed by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Eisenhower before he was elected. The CIA suggested that a group of Cuban exiles could be trained to launch an invasion and overthrow Castro. Sending Cuban exiles would make the attack look like a Cuban counter- revolution, so the USA could claim not to have been
involved
How many Cuban exiles took part in the ‘Bay of Pigs’
1400
What were the reasons for the failure of the attempred coup?
- The volunteers had little military experience. They recived some training from the CIA
- The US wanted to present the attack as a Cuban effort to get rid of Castro sp they couldn’t send US ground forces or air strikes
- Castro’s governmenr found apout about the invasion before. They were 20,000 soldiers ready.
- The US and exile army wrongly assumed that most Cubans would support them. Many felt happy with Castro and din’t rush to lend their support
What wee the effects of the Bay of Pigs incident?
- Humiliating and embarrassing faliure for the US. The US had previously accused the Soviets of trying to build an empire in Eastern Europe. It now seemed the americans were afting in the same way to restore influence in an indipendent country
- Poeple of Cuba were happy under leadership of communsim Castro and showed little support to overthrow him, indicating the popularity of communism
- Led to stronger relations between Cuba and USSE. After the invasion, Casteo declared himself communist and asked Khrushchev to help him defend Cuba against future attacks. Khrushchev announced he would provide arms to Cuba
When did Khrushcehv publicly announce that he would provide arms to Cuba?
September 1961
When was an American U2 spy plane caught over Cuba?
14 Octover 1962
How far is Cuba from the coast of the US (Florida)?
90 miles
Why did Khrushchev place nuclear missiles in Cuba?
- In Europe, NATO had missiles in Turkey, a short dustance from the Soviet Union. Khrushchev believed it was time for the US to feel a threat. Potentially to have missiles in Turkey removed
- The building of the Berlin Wall was portrayed by many Soviet crutics as a faliure. If he could outwit Kennedy over Cuba, it would restore his prestige
- Khrushchev may have feared another american attack. If they overthrew Castro, it would be seen as another defeat for communism.
Why was it neccesary for Kennedy to remove the missiles from Cuba?
The missiles did not act as a direct threat to the US as ICBMs could aready be targeted at the US from the USSR. However it made a huge political difference:
- There were elections to the US congress coming up in November. If he didn’t stand up to Khrushchev, his democratic party would’ve done poorly
- The american people will see nuclear missiles in Cuba as a threat to the nation’s pride
- The negotiations over Berlin would become tougher if Khruschev asserts power over Kennedy.
When were the 13 days?
16-28 October 1962
What were the 6 stages of the Thirteen days?
16 October- Lennedy called together an Executive Committee ro discuss the US reaction. ExComm met every day.
22 October- Kennedy decides not to launch attack but a naval blockade around Cuba. He then informs the public about the missiles. If the blockade was ignoree, war would follow
24 October- Soviet ships reached the blockade and turned around; direct confrontation avoided
26 October- Khrushchev sent a telegram offering to remove the missiles if americans didn’t invade
27 October- Before Kennedy could respond, another Telegram was sent, saying the missiles would be removed if the missiles in Turkey were also removed. An american U2 plane shot down over Cuba. Kennedy still refuses war.
28 October- Kennedy igrnores second telegram and agrees to first one. Removed missiles in Turkey secretly.
Who were the ‘Hawks’ and who were the ‘doves’
Hawks- During the Cold War, those who supported going to war were known as Hawks.
Doves- Their counterparts, who tried to find solutions to problems without going to war, were known as
Doves.
What were the consequences of the Cuban missile Crisis?
- Kennedy’s popularity icnreased after standing up to Hawks and Khrushchev, more confidence in dealing with Soviet Union
- Khrushchev was dismissed due to unpopularity through his faliure and humiliationg withdrawel
- World became a safer place
- Direct communications line set up between Washron and Moscow to avoid confusion, known as the ‘Hotline’
- Test Ban Treaty signed by US, USSR and GB. Aggreed to prohibit the testing of nuclear weapons
- Outer Space Treaty as the US and USSR began a ‘space race’, competing to earth’s orbit for the possibility of launching a military attack from space. Agreed not to use soace for military purposes.
- Nuclear non-proliferation Treaty sugned to stop spread of nuclear weapons. Countries that signednup agrees not to share their nuclear technology with other countries
When wad the hotline set up?
June 1963
When was the Test Ban Treaty signed?
August 1963
When was the Outer Space Treaty signed?
1967
When was the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty signed?
1968
When was Khrushchev dismissed?
1964
How many bombers and nuclear warheads did Kennedy prepare during the 13 days?
54 bombers and 4 nuclear warheads
When did Khrushchev agree to buy Cuban sugar and provide economic aid?
Khrushchev agreed to buy Cuban sugar and provide economic aid in February 1961. There was also a secret clause saying that Cuba would receive arms from the Soviet Union.
What were the main areas of tension after the Cuban Revolution?
• The American government reluctantly recognised the new government, but refused to provide economic aid unless Cuba followed guidelines set out by the International Monetary Fund.
• In May 1959, the Cuban government took over all land in Cuba owned by foreign nationals. It paid compensation to previous owners, but the US government refused to recognise the scheme. Castro took the land anyway.
• Castro had already begun appointing communists to his government when, in February 1960, he made an agreement with the Soviet Union. Khrushchev agreed to buy Cuban sugar and provide economic aid.There was also a secret clause saying that Cuba would receive arms from the Soviet Union.
Why was the Cuban Revolution such a problem for USA?
- President Eisenhower was concerned about the revolution as there were very close links between Cuba and the USA. - - American businesses had invested heavily in Cuba and much of the land was owned by Americans.
- Cuba’s oil refineries, electricity and phone networks and railways were also controlled by Americans and the USA was an important investor in Cuba’s main export, sugar.
What was Eisenhower’s reaction tot he Cuban Revolution?
X In July 1960 Eisenhower reduced the amount of sugar the US would buy from Cuba and in October banned all trade with Cuba
- In January 1961, The USA broke off diplomatic relations with Cuba due the severe threat a pro-Soviet regime acted to the US within border of capitalist influence
