The Cuba stuff and all that jazz that almost ended in nuclear war. Flashcards
What was Cuba like before Castro (1950s) ?
The USA support the right wing government by supplying weapons. The USA was also the main buyer of their sugar. The richest members of American society would often visit Cuba to gamble. Although Cuba made a lot money, very little of this money reached the poor people in society because the leaders were corrupt and took much of it for themselves.
What did Castro do?
in 1959, Fidel Castro, a Cuban nationalist seized power. He removed all American business and investment.
What happened to Cuban sugar exports after Castro seized power?
The USA refused to buy anymore sugar. Russia bought it instead.
What was the Bay of Pigs invasion?
Cuban exile (people who had fled Cuba when Castro seized power) were sent to Cuba by America to create a national uprising and overthrow Castro.
Which army took part in the Bay of Pigs invasion and how many were there?
They were Cuban exiles and called themselves La Brigada 2506 and numbered around 1500.
When was the Bay of Pigs invasion?
Sometime during 1961 I don’t know Simpsons is on
Why did the Bay of Pigs fail?
- Kennedy did not provide air support and La Brigada’s supply ships were sunk by the Cuban airforce.
- The CIA did not realise that Castro was quite popular so the army recived received little support form the Cubans.
- Castro was aware of the invasion as exiles had been overheard disussing the invasion in Miami.
What were the results of the Bay of Pigs?
- Humiliation for the USA and Kennedy.
- Castro’s positon strengthened. Seen as an example for the developing world.
- Developing countries saw the US an an imperialist nation.
- USA begins Operation Mongoose.
- Castro pushed further towards the Soviet Union.
What was Operation Mongoose?
Covert operations to remove Castro.
What was the Monroe Doctrine?
Amended by Kennedy in 1962. It said that Latin Americans were free to choose their own government, so as long as it was not communist. It meant that Cuba would be opposed by America, as Castro was not elected.
How did relations between Cuba and Russia develop between the end of 1961 and 1962?
- Castro announced conversion to communism.
- By the end of 1961, there were combat units and military advisers staioned in Cuba.
- The Soviet Union sent military supplies throughout 1962.
- In Septemver, Soviet technicians began to install ballistic missiles.
What happened on the 14th of October, 1962?
A U2 spyplane captured photos of Cuna which showed intermiediate missile bases being contructed. They could hit almost all US cities so they posed a serious threat.
What were Kennedy’s options on response to the Cuban Missiles? Why were they/ they not appropriate.
- Do nothing - not great, would make Kennedy look weak and would not remove the threat.
- Order a full scale military invasion of Cuba. - not great, could end in nuclear war and many casualties and success was no guaranteed.
- Order an air strike against only the Cuban Missiles. - still risked war and the airforce were not certain they could accurately aim for the missiles.
- Ask the Russians to remove the Missiles. - not great, they probably not listen.
- Put a naval blockade around the Island. This was what he went with, it stopped anymore supplies reaching Cuba and made it seem as though Kennedy was acting whilst further discussions could go on.
What did the letters Krushchev sent to Kennedy say?
The 1st one offered to remove the Missiles of the USA promised not to invade Cuba.
The 2nd one added demands for the removal of the missiles from Turkey.
How did the Cuban Missile Crisis end?
Kennedy agreed to remove the missile from Turkey as long as Russia removed the Missiles from Turkey, although he demanded that the removal of Turkish missiles be kept secret.
