Cuban Missile Crisis Flashcards
Bay of Pigs Invasion
January 1961 President Eisenhower broke off all diplomatic relations with Cuba
Kennedy supplied 1,500 Cuban Exiles with weapons and transport to land in Cuba and overthrow Castro
They landed at the Bay of Pigs and were met by 20,000 Cuban troops with weapons supplied by the USSR
This was a humiliating disaster for Kennedy
Beginning of the missile crisis
Kennedy met Khrushchev in September 1962 he was told that the USSR had no intentions of putting nuclear missiles in Cuba, it was a lie
Why did Khrushchev put missiles in Cuba?
He wanted to close the ‘missile gap’ between USA and USSR
The USA had missiles in Europe and turkey, within range of USSR - placing missiles in Cuba would restore the missile balance
Missiles in Cuba would strengthen Khrushchevs bargaining position against USA
Cuba was the only communist country in the Western Hemisphere
He was keen to strengthen his own political position
How could the USA respond to the missiles in Cuba?
14 October 1962 a US spy plane spotted missile sites on Cuba
Kennedys options were
DO NOTHING
FOR
USA still had a larger force than the USSR, might lead to a nuclear war
AGAINST
Sign of weakness and would encourage soviets to challenge USA
AIR STRIKE
FOR
Destroy missiles before they come operational
AGAINST
Couldn’t guarantee to destroy all missiles - some may be launched to US cities
Could kill soviet soldiers - start a war
INVASION
FOR
Removes the missiles and Castro
AGAINST
Cause a soviet response - possibly a nuclear war
DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE
FOR
Involving other countries might force the soviets to remove missiles
AGAINST
Unlikely it will make Khrushchev to give in
BLOCKADE
FOR
Show firm action from USA, give Khrushchev time to consider his actions and give USA other options later like an air strike
AGAINST
Wouldn’t remove the weapons
Why did Kennedy react as he did
Pressure from US military leaders to bomb and invade Cuba - lead to nuclear war
Tried to give himself and Khrushchev time to solve without conflict
Kennedy realised he needed to give Khrushchev a way out without humiliating him - that’s why in private he agreed not to invade and take missiles off of Turkey
End of the crisis and its consequences
October 28, it was announced that missiles would be taken off of Cuba
Missile crisis helped improve US-Soviet relationship
They decided to set up a hotline between Moscow and Washington to problems could be discussed in the future
1963 test ban treaty between USA, USSR and Britain
Who won? USA?
World opinion - Kennedy was the victor Kennedy also stood up to hard military advisors BUT..... Removed missiles from turkey Castro remained in power Hated by Cuban exiles Made enemies
Who won? USSR?
Prevented US invasion 'Peace maker' Had missiles removed from Turkey BUT.... USSR shown to have lied to UN Khrushchev shown to have backed down USSR felt humiliated Unable to make public about the missiles in Turkey
Who won? Cuba?
Castro remained in power
Cuba heavily armed
Castro remained in control of US industries
BUT….
Dependant on USSR
Unable to trade with USA
Remained poor and isolated in Western Hemisphere
