Cuban Missile Crisis Flashcards
1950s- 1960s
Intensification of bipolar arms race
Sets the context of superpower rivalry- growing US missile build up leading to Soviet perception of US military threat
Creates desire on Khrushchev’s part to respond/ retaliate to perception of threat
1959
Cuban Revolution; Castro appointed as Prime Minister of Cuba
Overthrew Batista in January, tried to meet with the US president, only to be rejected and Castro was eventually received by Nixon in April.
May 1959
Implementation of Land Reform Law
More communist-inclined economic policy, infuriated the US which did not give them any further economic support.
Feb 1960
Soviet- Cuban trade talks (Mikoyan talks)
The USSR willing to buy more sugar, the main export of Cuba, aiding in their economic growth.
Sept 1960
US economic embargo on Cuba
Attempted to cripple the Cubans to try and convince Castro that he was wrong for going closer to the USSR.
Kinda ineffective because the Soviets accounted for 80% of Cuban trade by early 1962.
Jan 1961
Inauguration of Kennedy as President of US
Shows a general overview of America’s new foreign policy towards the Cuba incident, reflecting the hardline stance of Kennedy where he is ready to join Cuba is “opposing aggression or subversion”. “This Hemisphere intends to remain master of its own house” makes reference to the Monroe doctrine.
Apr 1961
Bay of Pigs invasion
The invasion was poorly executed and Cuban forces were easily defeated
It demonstrated real threat of American aggression against Castro’s regime
Reinforced Cuban need for security against American aggression and pushed Cuba towards the Soviets.
May 1961
Declaration of Cuba as socialist state
Americans perceive this as an expansion of the Communist bloc into their sphere of influence, which leads to increased hostilities and justifications for more action to be taken.
Dec 1961
Declaration of Cuba as a Marxist- Leninist state
Americans perceive this as an expansion of the Communist bloc into their sphere of influence, which leads to increased hostilities and justifications for more action to be taken.
June - 22 October 1961
Berlin Crisis; Checkpoint Charlie incident
Heightened tensions between USA and USSR, which influenced US perceptions about USSR actions in Cuba, making them see it as potentially offensive.
16 Oct 1962
US discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba
Start of Cuban Missile Crisis
A confirmation of US suspicions, and three options are posed to them. An airstrike to destroy, an invasion to remove, or a naval blockade to pressure Castro to give up the missiles.
18 Oct 1962
Gromyko’s confirmation of Soviet support to Cuba as ‘purely defensive’
Reassures the USA that the missiles in Cuba (which could potentially hit the US) would not be used as an attack on them, which did not necessitate a first-strike as a response.
22 Oct 1962
Kennedy’s announcement of Soviet missiles in Cuba; announces naval blockade in response
It was coined as a quarantine instead so that it was not an ambiguous war term. However, this still led to a rapid escalation of the crisis and was seen as an open challenge posed to the Soviets.
24 Oct 1962
Soviet ships turning from blockade
There were submarines which were observed to be escorting the ships, and the Americans had to be careful of them
American forces went on DEFCON2 (highest in history)
25 Oct 1962
Stevenson-Zorin confrontation at the UNSC
First time that the US expresses their stance to the USSR and demands for changes to happen.
