Cold War Chapter 2: Cold War Crises, 1958-70 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
Why did protests begin in Czechoslovakia against the Soviet government?
- The Czech econmg was run for the benefit of the USSR and there were few consumer goods- limits income and thus poor living standards
- No freedom of speech and censorship of radio- newsoapers and television
- Czech governmenr carried out purges between 1949 and 1954 of politicians, military leaders, Catholics, Jews and connections with the West
- Secret police used to maintain control
Who was elected First Secretary of rhe Czech governmenr and when?
Alexander Dubcek on 5 January 1968
What were Dubcek’s beliefs?
- Committed to the Warsaw Pact but believed communism should offer ‘socialism with a human face’
- Devoted communism
- Make the governmenr more effective and less unpopular, whilst keeping the country loyal to the Soviet Union
What were Dubcek’s reforms and what were they know as?
‘Prague Spring’- April 1968:
- Censorship relaxed and criticism of governement actions allowed
- Trade unions guven widee power and government control of industry reduced
• More power was given to the Czech regional governments.
• Trade with the West was increased.
• Czech people were given greater freedom to travel abroad.
- Moscow and Czechoslovakia would remain in the Warsaw Oact
Who replaced Khruschev and when?
Brezhnev in 1968
What was Brezhnev’s reaction to the ‘Prague spring’?
Disapproved of many of the measures Dubcek was proposing. If these measures were introduced in Czechoslovakia, wouldn’t the other Warsaw Pact countries want similar reforms? He urged Dubcek not to endanger communism. Ordered Warsaw Pact troops to carry out manoeuvres on Czechoslovakia to threaten Dubcek. Brezhnev then decided to invade Czechoslovakia.
When did Brezhnev invade Czechoslovakia?
20 August 1968
How many Warsaw Pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia?
500000
What were the events of the Soviet invasion of Czecholsovakia?
There was little opposition to the invasion. Brezhnev had ordered the Czech army to remain in its barracks, just in case it tried to fight back. The Czech people could do little against such a powerful force, though there were individual acts of bravery, such as blocking roads or attacking individual tanks. The invading forces were told that they had been invited to help restore law and order by the Czech government.
What and when was the Brezhnev Doctrine?
To many in the West, Brezhnev’s actions looked like an aggressive attempt to dominate another European country. However, the Soviet Union justified the invasion as a necessity to protect the unity of the communist movement in Europe. On 26 September 1968, the Soviet paper, Pravda, set out what was to become known as the Brezhnev Doctrine*. Brezhnev said that the actions of any individual communist country affected all communist countries. So if one country’s actions threaten other countries, then it was the duty of those countries to take steps to stop those actions.
Who replaced Dubcek?
Gustav Husak in 1969
What were the consequences of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia and the ‘Prague Spring’?
- The invasion ended the Prague Spring
- Brezhnev Doctrine crated in Spetember 1968 to prevenet non-communists revolutions
- Yugoslavia and Romania condemned rhe invasion, straining relations
- Communist parties of Italy and France cut links to Moscow
- Governments of East Germany and Poland welcomed the invasion, feeling secure that they wouldn’t face cgallenges by reformers
- Greater Soviet control of the members in the Warsaw pact, reinfroced by the Brezhnev Doctrine
- West outraged by the invasion and many made strong protests
- Soviet Union was rhat while US may protests, it would not tale direct action
- US involved in a costly war in Vietnam and beginning to adopt anpolicy of détente, less prepared to take action, resulting in bad reputation
When was the Warsaw Pact formed?
14 May 1955
What happened after Stalin’s death?
Stalin’s death on 5 March 1953 led to a power struggle inthe Soviet Union, as Stalin had not named a successor. It was not until 1956 that Nikita Khrushchev emerged as the effective ruler of the country. At the Party Congress in that year, he openly criticised Stalin’s policies and suggested there should be peaceful co-existence with the West.
Hat were the effects of Stalin’s death?
After Stalin’s death in March 1953, Khrushcev took power in 1956. The change of leadership made people on both sides hopeful that tension between the Soviet Union and USA could be reduced and that a solution to the Cold War arms race could be found. Two other factors contributed to this hope:
• In 1950, there had been a war in Korea in which the USA and Soviet Union supported different sides. But, in July 1953, that war had come to an end.
• Both the USA and the Soviet Union were spending large sums on their armed forces. Both sides knew that reducing spending would be good for their economies
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.
