Cuban Missile Crisis

Question 1

Who did the USA put in charge of Cuba when it became independent and when?

Answer 1

The corrupt Batista in 1934

Question 2

What happened in 1959?

Answer 2

Batista was overthrown by Castro who appointed a communist government. Castro signed a trade deal with the Soviets.

Question 3

What did the USA do in 1960?

Answer 3

Thy stopped buying Cuban sugar and then stopped all trade with Cuba.

Question 4

When did the US break off all diplomatic relations with Cuba?

Answer 4

January 1961

Question 5

What was the Bay of Pigs disaster and when was it?

Answer 5

Kennedy planned a CIA backed revolution to overthrow Cuba’s communist government and replace it with a capitalist government. In April 1961 1400 anti-Castro Cuban exiles invaded and slaughtered by 20000 Cubans in 2 days.

Question 6

Why did the Bay of Pigs invasion fail?

Answer 6

They had lost the element of surprise, Castro was more popular than expected, the US didn’t use the airforce and the Cuban forces were superior.

Question 7

When did Castro nationalise all industry in Cuba?

Answer 7

July 1961

Question 8

When did Cuba become independent from Spain and who helped this to happen?

Answer 8

1898 and the USA

Question 9

What happened in September 1961?

Answer 9

Khrushchev said he would provide Cuba with arms.

Question 10

When did Castro announce he was communist and align with the USSR?

Answer 10

December 1961

Question 11

What were the results of the failed Bay of Pigs invasion?

Answer 11

The USA looked vulnerable to attack and looked weak, as did JFK. Castro’s government was less likely to be overthrown. Soviet missiles were put on Cuba to defend Cuba and Cuba was closer to the USSR. Cubans were more confident in Castro as a leader. USA began operation mongoose. USA looked imperialistic.

Question 12

What happened in May 1962?

Answer 12

Khrushchev decided to put nuclear weapons on Cuba.

Question 13

When did JFK publicly warn Khrushchev against putting nuclear weapons on Cuba?

Answer 13

September 1962

Question 14

What happened on 14th October 1962?

Answer 14

An American U2 Spy plane flew over Cuba and took pictures of the missiles. A fleet of Russian ships was on route to Cuba.

Question 15

Why was Russia interested in Cuba?

Answer 15

Cuba was very close geographically to the USA so could be used as a very dangerous missile station. Cuba was communist so USSR could exploit and increase sphere of influence. The US early warning systems wouldn’t have a chance to go off. The USSR wanted as many Communist countries as possible. USSR could put pressure on the young JFK and on the USA to reduce the threat to the USSR in Europe. USSR felt obliged to help countries under threat from invasion.

Question 16

Why put missiles on Cuba?

Answer 16

Castro asked Khrushchev to help him defend Cuba. It deterred potential US invasions. USSR could attack US. Don’t have to spend money on Long Range Ballistic Missiles.

Question 17

What were the short term consequences of the CMC?

Answer 17

Khrushchev’s authority was reduced. The relationship between the US and the Soviets was fragile. Kennedy’s reputation improved. Limited Test Ban Treaty was introduced so you could only test nuclear weapons underground. The Soviets we’re determined not to be pushed around my the US so caught up in the arms race.

Question 18

What were the long term consequences of the CMC?

Answer 18

The French left NATO, which ended their military alliance with America. MAD - mutually assured destruction - decided to avoid nuclear war. Policy of détente to relax tension between the US and USSR. ‘Hotline’ between Moscow and Washington to speed up communication. Both countries decides they didn’t want war (naval blockade wasn’t a direct act of war). Cuba stayed communist.