cuban revolution(1959)-bay of pigs invasion(1961)

Question 1

who ruled Cuba before Castro?

Answer 1

Batista, an army officer, who had seized power with the help of the USA.

Question 2

When was the Cuban Revolution?

Answer 2

January 1959

Question 3

How far away was Cuba from America?

Answer 3

145 km

Question 4

Why did the USA grow increasingly concerned by Castro’s reforms?

Answer 4

Castro began appointing communists to his government and signed a trade agreement with the USSR in which Cuban sugar would be swapped for machinery, oil and economic aid (and conventional weapons such as machine guns) .Castro nationalised American industries in Cuba.

Question 5

How did the USA react?

Answer 5

In January 1960 the USA stopped buying Cuban sugar, and then banned all trade with Cuba; by January 1961 the USA stopped all diplomatic relations with Cuba

Question 6

What effect did these reactions have?

Answer 6

This pushed Castro closer to the USSR – they now planned something far more drastic, the Bay of Pigs Invasion

Question 7

What was the Bay of Pigs Invasion?

Answer 7

This was to be led by Cuban exiles, living in Florida; the plan was supported by JFK. Weapons, training and transport were provided by the CIA. The exiles hoped to establish a base for guerrilla activities against Castro and were confident that the Cuban people would support them

Question 8

Why was it such a disaster?

Answer 8

This force of 1400 exiles landed in Cuba but found themselves facing over 20,000 Cuban troops; the people did not rise up in support of the exiles. Most importantly both Castro and Khrushchev knew it had been planned by the CIA – JFK was humiliated!

Question 9

What were the consequences of this invasion?

Answer 9

• The invasion convinced Castro that he needed more Soviet support to defend himself against possible US attacks
• In September 1961 Khrushchev publicly announced that he would provide arms to Cuba
• By 1962 Castro had a very well equipped army containing the latest tanks, missiles and ‘technicians’ (who were Soviet military personnel)
• Castro now declared himself to be a communist.

Question 10

What were the effects of the invasion on relations between the USA and USSR?

Answer 10

• Kennedy was humiliated as the invasion had failed.
• The USA looked hypocritical as they were supporting an invasion of an independent country.
• The USSR had the upper hand – they pointed out that Cubans wanted a pro-communist regime, showing the popularity of Communism.
• Stronger relations were established between Cuba and the USSR which made Kennedy feel threatened. What if the USSR placed missiles on Cuba?