Cuban Missile Crisis Flashcards
Give 4 reasons how the USA’s invasion failed.
Volunteers of the army had little experience, received a bit of military training, but not as much as the Cuban Army
The Usa wanted to present the attack as a Cuban effort to get rid of Castro; couldn’t send US ground forces.
Castro’s Government found out, and there were 20,000 soldiers waiting for the 1400 Cuban Exiles.
Usa and the Cuban exiles wrongly assumed that most Cubans would side with this, however the Cubans took quite the liking to Castro.
How did the relations between USA and Cuba deteriate?
Extremely concerned that a pro-Soviet regime was being established 145km away, —–> July 1960 reduced amount of sugar bought from Cuba —–> October, Banned all trade —-> January 1961, Usa broke of diplomatic relations with Cuba.
Why did the Bay of Pigs happen?
President Kennedy gave his support to a plan agreed by the CIA and Eisenhower before he was elected —-> 17 April 1961, invasion force of around 1400 Cuban exiles landed in at the bay of Pigs.
why was the Bay of Pigs embarrassing for USA?
The USA had previously accused the Soviet Union of trying to build a Empire in Europe, it now looked like it was the USA that was acting in that way.
What were some positives for the Soviet Union of the Bay of Pigs?
There were quick to point out that the people of Cuba were happy underneath Communist Rule.
The people of Cuba showed little support for the invasion as it tried to reinstate corrupt Batista regime.
Led to Stronger relations between Cuba and the Soviet Union
Castro declared himself a communist and asked Khrushchev to help defend Cuba against any other attacks from USA. This lead to in September 1961 Khrushchev publicly announcing he would provide arms for Cuba.
What was bad for the USA as Khrushchev gave arms to Cuba in Sept 1961?
If there were missiles in Cuba, it would place USA under direct threat, as not only this, they would also have Modern military equipment and training from Soviet experts.
What raised tensions as Khrushchev gave arms to Cuba in Sept 1961?
That Kennedy had to warn Khrushchev that he couldn’t use Cuba as a base to threaten USA, Khrushchev then lied as a U-2 Spy plane in October 14 1962 took pictures of what seemed to be launch pads.
Why would Khrushchev put missiles in Cuba since this was a provocative step?
Nato had missiles based in Turkey, which was just a short distance from the Soviet Union, Khrushchev believed that the US should now feel what it was like to be under threat. His real aim could also be to get these missiles removed.
The building of the berlin wall failed, Which was a great humiliation for Khrushchev, so if he could outwit Kennedy here, he could restore his prestige.
Khrushchev may have also wanted to put missiles in Cuba as if the got another attack and lost, it would be a great defeat for Communism.
How did Kennedy prevent the Cuban Missiles crisis from creating Further tension?
He commenced the 13 days, in which . Plans were discussed, —-> On Oct 22 1962, No attack was released, —-> naval blockade, —-> if this failed(i.e Soviet ships going past it) it would cause Nuclear war as it would mean USA would have to sink those ships —–> RAISED TENSIONS —–> Till Oct 24, Soviet Ships reached ts, and… ts didnt pmo y cambiar tener round
What did The soviet Union turning back from the naval blockade do?
Showed that direct confrontation had been avoided, Two telegrams arrived to Kennedy on 26 and 27th Oct, He ignored the second one and agreed to not invade Cuba, in return Khrushchev would dismantle
