Crisis over Cuba 1962

Question 1

USA’s influence over Cuba

Answer 1

• part of USAs sphere of influence

- USA had strong economic interest in Cuba (holidays, industry)

Question 2

The Cuban revolution

Answer 2

• 1959
• socialist revolution
• overthrow of unpopular dictator Batista by Castro
• Castro wanted greater independence from USA
• USA refused to deal with new government (banned import of Cuban sugar, affected economy)- relationships between USA and Cuba deteriorated
• Castro built economic links with USSR

Question 3

Soviet relations with Cuba

Answer 3

• Khrushchev wanted an ally close to USA
• 1960- bought Cuban sugar, sent weapons and military assistance
• Wanted to challenge US over Cuba
• Khrushchev needed some success to deflect criticisms of his failures

Question 4

Bay of Pigs

Answer 4

• April 1961
• Due to USSR involvement, CIA convinced Kennedy that an invasion of Cuba could solve the problem (remove Castro)
• used Cuban exiles so it looked like a revolt (La Brigada)

Question 5

Why did the Bay of Pigs invasion fail?

Answer 5

• wrongfully believed Cubans hate Castro
• Castro was aware of the invasion as he overhead a conversation
• Air support was crucial, and they did not attack the Cuban Airforce (Brigadas ships were sunk by planes)
• Cuban ground forces were superior in all ways

Question 6

Consequences of the Bay of Pigs invasion

Answer 6

• Castro announced he was a communist showing the closer relationship USSR and Cuba had
• Ended all chanced of friendly US-Cuba relationship
• USA begins Operation Mongoose
• humiliated USA, strengthened Castro

Question 7

Why did USSR put Missile sites in Cuba?

Answer 7

• Khrushchev continued to send military supplies through 1962
• USA had missiles close to USSR in Turkey so USSR needed missiles close to USA (Cuba)
• Cuba saw this as protection

Question 8

Start of the Cuban Missile Crisis

Answer 8

• USA u2 plane took photos of USSR missile bases on Cuba

- the IRBM missiles were dangerous and posed a serious threat to the USA

Question 9

What happened during the Thirteen days?

Answer 9

• Advisors (hawks and doves) came up with peaceful and non peaceful solutions
• decided to place naval blockade (quarantine) around Cuba to stop more missiles coming from the USSR
• Kennedy addressed public in tv broadcast

Question 10

Events of the October Crisis

Answer 10

• US prepared for action
• Kennedy informed Khrushchev that any ships carrying missiles would be forced to turn back
• Khrushchev sent letter offering to remove missiles if blockade was removed
• Kennedy accepted and agreed to remove missiles from Turkey after the removal of missiles on Cuba

Question 11

Consequences of the Cuban Missile crisis

Answer 11

• increased rivalry (Kennedy stood up to communists, Khrushchev seen to have failed- contributed to his removal in 1964)
• telephone hotline (in case of immediate crisis)
• decreased rivalry (treaties)
• led to Strategic Arms Limitations talks and detente

Question 12

Which treaties came out of the Cuban Missile crisis?

Answer 12

• Limited test ban treaty (1963) - agreed to stop nuclear weapon testing
• Outer Space Treaty (1968)- used space for peaceful purposes not nuclear weapons
• Nuclear Non- Proliferation treaty (1968)- stopped development of nuclear weapons