cuban missile crisis/bay of pigs Flashcards
What had happened in Cuba in 1959?
cuba was taken over by rebels fidel castro and che guevara
What had President Eisenhower began planning for in 1960?
the bay of pigs operation
Did President Kennedy back the plan?
kennedy did back it but not publicly
How big was the invasion force that landed at the Bay of Pigs on the 17th April 1961?
1400
Why did the invasion force of Cuban ‘exiles’ fail (at least two reasons)?
they were clearly outnumbered, the rebels also had knowledge about their plan so could prepare
How did the failed invasion make the USA look like hypocrites?
they had attempted to overthrow a leader that the people like to replace it with a dictator
What did Castro do afterwards to demonstrate the forging of stronger links between Cuba and the USSR?
he declared cuba officially communist
What did Kennedy warn Khrushchev he was not allowed to do?
put nuclear weapons/missiles on the island
When did the USA discover the USSR were placing missiles in Cuba?
October 16–28 1962
Why was Khrushchev taking the steps to place missiles in Cuba (at least two reasons)?
to show kennedy that he isn’t afraid and it was tit for tat as kennedy had missiles in turkey
What action did President Kennedy have to choose between doing?
a surprise invasion or blocking off cuba from the ussr navy
What was the name given to the decision making team put together by President Kennedy?
excom (Executive Committee of the National Security Council)
What was set up around Cuba on the 22nd October and for what purpose?
a barrier of us navy ships to stop any more supplies being brought to the island
What did President Kennedy have prepared in case the USSR did not respond to the Blockade?
he had bombers carrying nuclear bombs and an army prepared to invade cuba
What happened when the USSR’s ships reached the Blockade on the 24th October?
the ships turn back
