Cuba Flashcards
events that led to the missile crisis
- nuclear arms race
- Cuban revolution
Nuclear arms race
After the US dropped bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki the Soviets saw it as a threat so this unleashed the nuclear arms race between the two superpowers.
Nuclear arms race and development of missiles
1961, the two superpowers developed large stores of short and medium range missiles
military bases during the arms race
- The United States had their own military bases around the world
- Soviets built a military base in Cuba
Cuban Revolution 1959
- US had strong interests in Cuba and already invested in their sugar plantations and businesses
- the US-supported Cuba’s corrupt dictator Batista because of the business interests.
Fidel Castro
nationalist who wanted to free Cuba from United states control
Fidel’s supporters
1959, Fidel’s supporters overthrew Batista
Changes Fidel Castro made
- introduced land reforms in favour of peasants
- nationalised sugar and other industries
United States response to the spread of communism by Fidel Castro
- the US banned trade and refused to buy sugar crop
Fidel Castro’s response to the US
- Castro formed a close relationship with the Soviets and in 1961 Cuba adopted communism
Bay of pigs
F.Kennedy authorised a small invasion and anti-Castro Cuban exiles landed at the bay of pigs in an attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro which failed.
Cuban Missile Crisis 1962
- US planes spotted the soviets’ military bases and ships carrying missiles were headed to Cuba.
- these missiles bases would affect America’s largest cities
October 28 1962
Khrushchev agreed to backdown and Kennedy made a secret agreement to remove the missiles in turkey within six months
Results of the crisis
Khrushchev; - claimed victory, was criticised by china for backing down, lost face at home and had to back down in 1964
Kennedy- reputation at home increased and forced Khrushchev to back down.
Castro; - remained a useful ally to the Soviet Union. achieved a promise that the US will never invade
