The Cuban Missile Crisis

Question 1

The Cuban Revolution

Answer 1

Fidel Castro toppled the pro-American government of Cuba when they had important links with America - USA had invested heavily in Cuba, biggest buyer of Cuban sugar.
Main areas of tension after the revolution:
- America did not recognise the new govt.
- Cuba took back land bought by USA
- Castro looked to the Soviet Union for help

Question 2

The ‘Bay of Pigs’ incident

Answer 2

Kennedy did not want a Communist ally so close to American territory, so gave support to a plan drawn up by the CIA and Eisenhower of sending Cuban exiles (to make it seem like a Cuban counter-revolution) to overthrow Castro at the Bay of Pigs.
The attempted coup was a complete failure because:
- the exiles had little military experience
- the USA couldn’t send reinforcements (USA would be blamed, resulting in war)
- Castro’s govt. learnt about these plans, so had prepared soldiers beforehand
- other Cubans did not rush to help since they were happy under Castro’s rule

Question 3

Effects of the ‘Bay of Pigs’ incident on international relations

Answer 3

• USA had a bad reputation due to their failure and because they were acting exactly like the Soviet Union
• Khrushchev used this opportunity to promote communism, since the Cubans did not support the incident
• stronger relations between Cuba and the Soviet Union meant Khrushchev agreed to help defend Cuba by placing nuclear weapons in Cuba

Question 4

The Cuban Missile Crisis

Answer 4

14 Oct 1962 - an American U-2 spy-plane took pictures of launch pads for nuclear warheads. A fleet of Soviet ships was also spotted sailing to Cuba.
Khrushchev did this because:
- he felt threatened by the missiles in Turkey
- the Berlin wall was seen as a failure for communism, so winning against Kennedy would restore his prestige
- he feared an American attack on Castro, which would be seen as another failure for communism

Question 5

The Thirteen Days, 16-28 October 1962

Answer 5

Kennedy and the Executive Committee decided to set up a naval blockade around Cuba.
24 Oct - the Soviet ships reached the blockade and turned around.

Question 6

From confrontation to agreement

Answer 6

26 Oct - Khrushchev sends a telegram offering to remove missile if the Americans agree not to invade.
27 Oct - another telegram sent saying Khrushchev would remove the missiles only if the US missiles in Turkey were also removed.
Kennedy only agreed to Khrushchev’s first telegram, ignoring the second.

Question 7

The consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis

Answer 7

A full scale war could have broken out if the policy of brinkmanship continued, so measures were taken:

• a direct communication line set up between Washington and Moscow
• Test Ban Treaty signed saying no testing of nuclear weapons in space, atmosphere or underwater
• Outer Space Treaty signed saying no military (nuclear weapons) attack from space since space race made this possible
• Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty signed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons (countries agreed not to share nuclear technology with others)