Cold War, the Cuba crisis Flashcards
Dates
1947-1991
USA statements on economics, social, politics
Economic: capitalism and liberalism (no State interfering)
Social: individualism + several social classes (upper, middle, lower classes)
Political: democracy with (theoretically) a respect human rights, free elections with pluralism
USSR statements on economics, politics and social life
Economics: communism State plans and controls the economy Social: only one class Political: a single party (CPSU = Communist Party of the Soviet Union) that leads the country with "terror" and "oppression" according to Truman
How we called USA and USSR ?
Superpowers
What trigger (déclencher) the Cold War ?
USSR didn’t respect the Yalta conference in occupying the Eastern countries. Americans think USSR could expand its grip on Western Europe => Domino theory
What is the Domino theory?
USSR could “eat” Europe.
Where come from the expression “the Iron curtain”?
Winston Churchill March 1946
How do Americans perceive the spread of communism?
As a danger
What was the relationship between Cuba and USA before 1959?
Allies politically and economically
Who was Fidel Castro?
He led the communist guerilla in Cuba in the late 1950s. He took the power and established the Social Republic.
How did Americans perceive Cuba turning communist in 1959?
As a threat.
What did President Kennedy order in 1961 and at what aims?
Invade Cuba in the Bay of Pigs in order to overthrow Castro’s government.
How did the Bay of Pig’s invasion turn into?
A disaster.
To what led the Bay of Pig’s disaster?
The USA and some allies started an embargo.
How the embargo didn’t work the way Kennedy wanted?
Castro approaches USSR and its leader Nikkita Khrushchev.
Who was the American and Soviet leaders at the time?
JFK and Nikita Khrushchev
What decided USSR after the several threats of American to do on Cuba ?
They decided after the Turkey missiles and the Cuba things to install their own long-range missile upon Cuba pointed at the USA.
What’s the reaction of Kennedy after the installation of those missile?
He need to prove he is stronger than Khrushchev thinks. He reinforces the eco. and military sanctions against Cuba and warns that he would have to respond to any nuclear attack.
When the world is holding its breath ?
October, November 1962
Two words to describe JFK during the hot point
Firmness and Wisdom
What’s the agreement?
USSR withdraw their missile from Cuba and American theirs from Turkey
When and what for the Red telephone is set up?
August 1963 because they were concient that they was on the edge of a disastrous war so it’s to prevent any kind of futur nuclear war. It’s a hotline.
What should nuclear weapons be used?
deterrent weapons (de dissuasion)
