Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962

Question 1

Cuban Revolution 1959

Answer 1

Batista, corrupt, oppressive but anti communist-> USA supports
Cuba dominated by American economic interests
overthrown by Castro: socialist revolutionary, popular

Question 2

CAUSE: American dislike of Castro

Answer 2

he nationalised American businesses (controlled by Cuban gov)
Socialist

Question 3

CAUSE: 1960 Trade Embargo

Answer 3

USA isolates Cuban economy
Cuba struggles to export products due to no trade
Leads to USSR alliance

Question 4

CAUSE: USSR alliance

Answer 4

USSR aids Cuba with $100 million of economic aid + imports Cuban sugar
(Protect against embargo)
Useful ally to USSR: Cuba is only 70 miles from Florida

Question 5

CAUSE: Bay of Pigs FIASCO 1961

Answer 5

Kennedy cannot invade-> UN rules
CIA arms and trains 1,400 anti-socialist Cubans and sends them back to de-stabilise the country and cause a revolution
20,000 Cuban soldiers with tanks awaited: all captured / killed
Most Cubans supported socialist Revolution

Question 6

CAUSE: Military Alliance with Khrushchev

Answer 6

Castro scared into alliance
Protection from USA in exchange for USSR missile bases in Cuba

Question 7

October Crisis, 1962

Answer 7

US spies discover Soviet missile base in Cuba (U2 plane)
Very advanced bases: IRBMs could attack Eastern Coast within days

Question 8

JFK’s options to deal with October Crisis

Answer 8

1. Diplomacy: NO-> takes too long=more missiles
2. Invasion: NO-> aggressive, risks nuclear war (due to alliance with USSR)
3. Air Strike: NO-> too aggressive, although favoured by CIA & advisors
4. NAVAL BLOCKADE: YES: strong, decisive act

Question 9

Extreme Tensions: Pro/Cons on Naval Blockade

Answer 9

Cons: expensive to keep up, not as decisive/immediate, still confrontational
Pros: good compromise

Question 10

SUCCESS of Naval Blockade

Answer 10

Soviet ships turn around last minute
Brinkmanship game won by Kennedy
Blockade - 500,00 miles around Cuba

Question 11

Soviet actions after Crisis

Answer 11

1. Krushchev sends a long, personal account to Kennedy: suggests complete removal of missiles if USA never attacks Cuba
2. Kruschev sends another letter changing demands: asks for withdrawal of USA missiles in Turkey (eastern NATO ally)

Question 12

American actions after Crisis

Answer 12

1. Kennedy answers first letter + guarantees safety of Cuba
2. Ignores second letter, but later in secret negotiations agrees to withdrawal to engage in diplomacy

Question 13

Consequences: SUCCESS USA

Answer 13

Kennedy’s reputation strengthened, becomes a hero
Got USSR to dismantle missiles and launch sites
Stood up to Soviet aggression, outmanoeuvred Kurshcev

Question 14

Consequences: FAILURE USA (successes of USSR)

Answer 14

USA forced to recognise neighbouring socialist state and to never attack it
Forced to remove missiles from Turkey: weakens tactical position in CW
NEVER told American public or NATO allies: criticised

Question 15

Consequences: FAILURE OF KRUSHCHEV

Answer 15

Forced to back down against younger, less experienced president: Krushchev seen as warmongering + reckless (risked war)
Krushchev never recovers from popularity dip, reputation lost. Forced to resign and replaced in 1964

Question 16

Consequence: Cold War Thaw

Answer 16

gradual decrease in tension as both sides were deeply scared: ++ diplomacy
1963: Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty - build less nuclear weapons
1963: Washington/Moscow telephone line set up for leaders to talk directly