Cuban Missile Crisis Flashcards
Why did the relationship between the USA and Cuba good?
Most of Cubas trade was with the USA (sugar, cigars, bananas)
American companies controlled most of Cuba’s industry and land.
Cuba was a popular destination for American tourists.
When did the good relationship between Cuba and America end? How?
1959.
The pro-American dictatorship of General Batista was overthrown by Fidel Castro.
Castro began to nationalise (take over) American owned industries, land and banks.
How did the relationship between Cuba and America change?
Became hostile.
President Eisenhower refused to meet Castro when he visited the US, refused loans and economic aid and cut off trade links to try to remove Castro.
When did Cuba become communist?
What was the American response?
1961.
The US was angered because the Truman doctrine had committed them to stopping the spread of communism and Cuba was close to America (90 miles away).
What was the Bay Of Pigs invasion?
In April 1961, USA trained and funded Cuban exiles to attempt to overthrow Castros regime. It was planned by Eisenhower and Kennedy authorised the mission to continue when he came into power.
It failed.
The US sponsored other attempts to assassinate Castro.
What were the consequences of the bay of pigs invasion?
Castro turned to the USSR for protection.
This established a pro-USSR government close to the USA.
How did the USSR help Cuba?
After Castro asked Khrushchev for assistance, over 40,000 Russian soldiers and weapons were sent to Cuba.
When were nuclear missiles sent to Cuba?
What happened?
September 1962. 43 short and medium range missiles were secretly sent to Cuba by ship. Nuclear missile bases has been built, ready to launch missiles at anyone invading Cuba. The USA was unaware that Russian nuclear missiles were being installed in Cuba.
Why were nuclear bases in Cuba of strategic help to the USSR?
USSR was falling behind the USA in the production of long range missiles in the nuclear arms race.
Since Cuba was only 90 miles from the USA, this restored balance in the nuclear arms race. The USA had installed missiles in Turkey, now USSR had them in Cuba.
How long did the Cuban missile Crisis last?
13 days.
14th to 27th October 1962.
What happened during the Cuban missile crisis?
14th October:
US spy plane provided the USA with clear of missile sites and missiles, and a fleet of Russian ships en route to Cuba carrying nuclear weapons.
16th October:
Kennedy set up EXCOMM, a small group of expert military and political advisers to deal with the crisis. Kennedy was put under pressure to invade Cuba, which may have resulted in the USSR retaliating with nuclear weapons.
24th October:
Kennedy chose a more cautious option, a navel blockade of Cuba. This was successful, and USSR ships thought to be carrying nuclear weapons were turned around.
Khrushchev sent a letter stating he would remove the missiles in Cuba if the USA guaranteed it would not attempt to remove Castro, and a following letter that demanded the removal of USA missiles from Turkey. Kennedy accepted the proposal but insisted the removal of missiles from Turkey be kept secret.
What were the consequences of the Cuban missile crisis?
Kennedy’s reputation was enhanced as he had shown firmness in standing up to the USSR without allowing nuclear war.
Khrushchev was criticised for losing face in the game of brinkmanship (chicken), though he took the view that the removal of US missiles from Turkey and the commitment not to remove Castro was a success from the USSR. However, Khrushchev was removed from power in 1964.
Both sides recognised the risk of nuclear war and the crisis helped to promote peaceful coexistence.
It was shown that communication was necessary to prevent nuclear war, which led to a hot line, a direct telephone link between the leaders of the USA and the USSR.
Led to the first attempt at addressing the Nuclear arms race. In 1963 the partial Nuclear test ban treaty stopped atmospheric and underground testing of nuclear weapons. In 1969 the US and USSR signed the treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons which paved the way for a period of détente in the 1970’s
