Cold War Cuba Flashcards
What was the Bay of Pigs Invasion?
In 1961, the USA supported Cuban exiles to invade Cuba and overthrow Fidel Castro’s Communist government.
Outcome: The invasion failed, damaging U.S. credibility and escalating tensions with Cuba and the Soviet Union.
Impact on US-Soviet Relations:
Cuba became more aligned with the USSR for protection, leading to Soviet military aid, including nuclear weapons.
The U.S. warned the Soviet Union against placing nuclear missiles in Cuba.
The Cuban Missile Crisis: What Happened?
When? October 1962.
Key Event: U.S. spy planes discovered Soviet missile sites in Cuba, capable of launching nuclear missiles at the U.S.
Risk: This pushed the world to the brink of nuclear war, as the Soviet Union had positioned missiles within striking distance of major U.S. cities.
The Options Facing the USA
Option 1: Nuclear Strike → Risked immediate nuclear war.
Option 2: Conventional Attack → Would provoke direct war with the Soviet Union.
Option 3: Use the UN → Too slow and ineffective.
Option 4: Do Nothing → Missiles could be operational.
Option 5: Blockade/Quarantine → Prevent further missile shipments without direct attack.
Kennedy’s Response
October 22: Kennedy announces a naval blockade of Cuba and demands the removal of Soviet missiles.
Kennedy’s Warning: Any nuclear missile launched from Cuba would be considered an attack on the U.S. by the USSR.
U.S. Action: U.S. ships were ordered to intercept Soviet ships heading towards Cuba.
- The Standoff
October 24: Soviet ships en route to Cuba stopped after reaching the U.S. blockade.
October 26: Khrushchev offers to remove the missiles in exchange for a U.S. promise not to invade Cuba.
October 27: A U.S. U-2 spy plane was shot down over Cuba, heightening tensions.
- Resolution of the Crisis
October 28: Khrushchev agrees to withdraw the missiles from Cuba.
Conditions:
The U.S. would not invade Cuba.
The U.S. would remove missiles from Turkey (not publicly announced at the time).
Kennedy’s Decision: Agreed to the first two conditions but refused the removal of missiles from Turkey.
- Long-Term Impact
Cuban Dictatorship: Cuba remained a communist state under Fidel Castro.
Cold War Tensions: Although the crisis was defused, the Cold War continued, with both superpowers continuing their arms race and competing for global influence.
