Cuban revolution and Bay of Pigs Flashcards
1959
What was the Cuban Revolution?
A violent uprising in 1959 by Fidel Castro and his army which overthrew the government and led to Castro being the leader
1959
Who did America support in the Revolution?
The pro American government already in Cuba
1959
What happened to American influence in Cuba?
American businesses and trade were very influential in Cuba. Fidel Castro did not want them there, so took over all land in Cuba and began to put communists in his government. The USA gradually withdrew and stopped trading Cuban sugar.
1959
What did Castro do to ownership of land?
In May 1959 he took over all land in Cuba
1960-1961
Why did the Americans begin to plan to overthrow Castro?
The USA were very concerned about having a pro Communist / pro Soviet government so close to them, only 27 miles away
1960-1961
What was the USA’s plan?
Invade Cuba.
Eisenhower began to plan an invasion called Operation Mongoose. Cubans who had been exiled (sent away during the revolution) would invade and overthrow Castro’s government. They were trained by the USA’s CIA agents, and would be secretly supported by the USA.
1960-1961
How did Kennedy change Eisenhower’s plan?
But Kennedy became President in January 1961, and scaled back the invasion. There would be no US support on the ground, and little air support.
November 1961
Was the US invasion of the Cuban Bay of Pigs successful?
No.
November 1961
Why was the invasion weak?
The 1,400 Cuban exiles were met with a Cuban army of 20,000 soldiers. They knew about the invasion.
November 1961
Why did the invasion ultimately fail?
The USA were counting on Cubans to turn against Castro and support the exiles, but people liked Castro.
November 1961
What else did the Americans try to remove Castro from power?
They tried to assassinate him by poisoning his cigars!
1962
What happened as soon as the USA’s invasion of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs had failed?
Castro declared himself a communist and made agreements with Kruschev (leader of the Soviet Union).
Cuba began trading with the USSR.
1962
What did Castro want for Cuba?
He asked Kruschev to help defend Cuba from US attack by putting weapons in Cuba
1962
What did he agree to the USSR putting in Cuba?
So the USSR began to build Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) nuclear weapons in Cuba, aimed at America.
