The Cuban Missile Crisis Flashcards
Background Information on Cuba
American influence strong in region since 1898 – Spanish-American War
Platt Amendment – gave US right to intervene in Cuba if necessary (in interest)
Americans established naval bases at Guantanamo for the protection of island
Seen within the sphere of American interest – geopolitically (Monroe Doctrine)
Also commercial interest – had industries and resources (sugar, tobacco, rum,
etc)
Many American companies gradually controlled Cuban industries and economy
Although aid initially welcomed by Cubans, gradually seen as imperialists
Many different points the US had to intervene in Cuba to protect its interests
Situation within Cuba worsened – increasing resentment against US
Cuba Under Batista
Under Batista regime (33-44, 52-59) anti-American sentiment at high
By 1950s American-owned businesses controlled:
a. All of Cuba’s oil production
b. 90% of its mines
c. Roughly half railroads, sugar, and cattle industries
d. US crime syndicates also shared control of gambling and prostitution
Batista seen as pro-American corrupt government official
Fidel Castro on rise in 1950s at this time – lawyer educated in Havana
Castro and Revolution
1959 Castro and 26th of July Movement (Political Party) – lead revolution
Revolution succeeds in overthrowing the Batista regime for number of reasons
- Castro’s Leadership – determined, fearless, charismatic (Batista seen as corrupt etc)
- Effective Guerilla Warfare – smaller in number than conventional forces – retreated
- Popularity with the People – gained support from countryside, improved conditions
- Propaganda – used this to advantage – US correspondence – kept message alive etc
- Other revolutionaries against Batista lent weight to the movement and appeal
- Lack of US funding and poorly trained officers meant desertions high with Batista’s army
- Batista also lost huge amount of support from Cubans – mob rule, corruption, etc
Causes of Cuban Missile Crisis
Impact of Bay of Pig Invasion – Failed Attempt
Kennedy and USA were humiliated around world
Castro able to use for propaganda
To some degree illegal by international law (imperialism)
Revealed the lack of understanding of Cuban conditions
Castro’s popularity within island increased and was secured
Castro moved even closer to the USSR – made more agreements
Revealed US not as powerful in its own backyard
Events of Cuban Missile Crisis
Summer 1962 USSR shipped to Cuba a large amount of weaponry – ICBM’s
USA received intelligence reports of the Soviet missiles in Cuba
October 1962 U2 spy planes photograph Soviet missile bases in Cuba
Kennedy announced strict naval blockade of all military equipment sent to Cuba
Kennedy also announced any missiles launched would bring full retaliatory response
For 13 days the world stood on the brink of nuclear war – Defcon 2 nuclear war next
USSR diverted ships and returned to Soviet Union after agreement reached
US promised to remove missiles from Turkey
USSR promised to remove missiles from the island in exchange
US also secretly promised to never invade the island again
Significance of Cuban Missile Crisis
Demonstrated how small country like Cuba could end up pawn in Cold War
- Khrushchev’s withdraw worsened relations with Cuba– Castro felt abandoned
- Kennedy seen as a hero at the end – Khrushchev a failure by many within Politburo
- Both countries frightened by crisis – would lead to de-esculation of tensions (hot line)
- Probably led to overconfidence in US and to increased involvement in Vietnam
- US determined no communists in W. Hemisphere – see Johnson Doctrine
- Crisis would lead to multipolar world and non-aligned movement
- Would lead to first Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1963)
