Cuba Missile Crisis

Question 1

Why was Cuba important

Answer 1

• key part of their econemy (large amount of buisnesses owned by Cuba)
• home to large US naval base
• Launch pad for communism

Question 2

Cuba Background

Answer 2

100 miles from Florida
Had been US Ally since 1898

Question 3

Fidel Castro

Answer 3

Was nationalist revolutionary. After successful revolution became PM from 1959-1976 when he became president of Cuba
Developed Cuba as a communist state when the US were unwilling to help
His regime is seen as a dictatorship

Question 4

Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara

Answer 4

Committed to social revolution and communism
Joined Castro and formed the ‘26 July movement’ resigned from castors gov in 1965

Question 5

Batista

Answer 5

Was the dictator of Cuba from 1952 till he was overthrown in 1959
Was an anti-communist stronghold
Received economic and military aid from US

Question 6

Goodwill visits

Answer 6

VP Nixon visited Latin states in America led to shift in US policy
Economic stability became targets
Eisenhower agreed not to offer unconditional support to dictators (castro)
- Ordered embargo on arms shipment to barista

Question 7

Agrarian reform - 1959

Answer 7

May 1959
American owned properties seized by the state
US didn’t react

Question 8

Mikoyan 1960

Answer 8

Feb 1960 visited Cuba arranged $100 mill in credits with Castro
Beginning of aqllience with ussr
Economic + political relationship

Question 9

USSR+Cuba trade

Answer 9

Cruid oil from ussr to Cuba sent April 1960
US companies refused to refine them - Castro nationalised them

Question 10

October 1960

Answer 10

Castro seized $1 billion worth of US assets

Question 10

US sanctions on Cuba

Answer 10

America imposed economic sanctions on Cuba
Reduced their sugar imports from Cuba by 95%

Question 11

Bay of pigs 1961

Answer 11

Planned under Eisenhower executed by JFK
Enabled 1500 anti-Castro exiles to carry out millitary coup
FAILED

Question 12

Opearation mongoose 1961

Answer 12

30 Nov 1961
Aim to overthrow Castro - covert OP General Lansdaqle headed the OP
Air strike plan OPLAN 312 Land strike plan OPLAN 314

USSR had given Cuba arms shipment
March 1962 - Operation quick kick

Khruchev decided to deploy nuclear missiles on Cuba in 1962

Question 13

14-15 Oct 1962

Answer 13

CIA didn’t brief Kennedy for 2 days
DAY 1 U2 flight showed evidence of R-2 missiles at san Cristobal
DAY 2 ussr ambassador Dobrynin denied Il-28 bomberers were being deployed on Cuba

Question 14

16th OCT

Answer 14

Kennedy is told
Initial reaction is that they might bomb them

Question 15

**17th October **