Post-Cuban Revolution Flashcards
How did Castro’s political aims change in 1959?
Made the revolution more radical than expected, became more left wing. Nationalising land owned by US companies (United Fruit Company). Implemented plan to aid poor in Cuba, began to tax the economy, went against US company interests in Cuba.
What role did Alan Dullas have in the USA’s response to the Cuban Revolution?
Head of CIA, black operations, 1953 Iran, clandestine, overthrew Iranian President, 1954 Guatemala coup, US was not held responsible, thought he could do this in Cuba as well. Dullas was responsible for investigating Castro, see if he is a communist or just leftist reformer, Dullas told government he was not a communist.
How did the US react to this radicalisation? How was the relationship between the US and Cuba impacted?
Dullas told President they may eventually need to overthrow him, Eisenhower said he could prepare but could not act without his order. Growing US opposition to Castro. Cuban economy depended on the sugar quota, told Castro to treat US companies more favourable or they would decrease this quota. Led to increasing tit for tat between US and Cuba 1959-1960.
How did the US-Cuban relationship disintegrate in 1960/61?
Ambassador from USSR went to Cuba and offered them support (Cuba geographically close to US, want communist allies, anti-American government). US worried, containment policy, 2nd Red Scare, CIA propaganda aimed against Cuba to try and stop US public sympathy. USSR-Cuba sign deal, USSR buys sugar/tobacco, provide Cuba with machinery. 1961 US breaks off relations with Cuba, sugar quota stopped, companies nationalised.
What was the US Trade Embargo?
1961, the Trading with the Enemy Act (1917) allowed the US to do that, stopped all trade with Cuba.
What was the Bay of Pigs incident?
February 1961 JFK Presidency, informed of Dullas plan, approved it, in his campaign he accused Eisenhower of being soft on communism, needed to maintain his promises, armed Cuban exiles, lots of Cubans left after the revolution, US financed, breaking international law, April ferried supporters to Cuba, anticipated by Cuban army, all captured within two days, CIA had bad intelligence from Cuba, Cubans would not have supported them. Major embarrassment for US.
What was the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Castro met with Khrushchev and convinced him the US would try to attack again, was given weapons, someone in USSR high command gave Cuba short term missiles, violated Monroe Doctrine, CIA surveillance saw missile parts, President & National Security Council argued the missiles could be used offensively, 17 days planning options, Kennedy would “quarantine” Cuba and stop more USSR deliveries, confronted Russian ships & told them to remove missiles, Khrushchev demanded access to Cuba, eventually relented and removed the missiles. US promised to remove missiles in Turkey and said they wouldn’t invade Cuba again. Castro angry with Russia.
