The Cuban Missile Crisis Flashcards
What was the Bay of Pigs?
April 1961
1400 Cuban exiles sent to try to overthrow the Cuban government
Unsuccessful
What was the impact of the Bay of Pigs?
Kennedy looked weak and was criticised for the failed attempt to defeat Communism in their sphere of influence.
It strengthened Castro’s position because it showed that, although the US hate Communism, they won’t become directly involved with it.
Castro and Khrushchev became suspicious of America’s policy towards Cuba.
The USA began to provide arms to Cuba.
How did the USA get involved with Cuba between 1959-61?
January 1961 - the USA broke diplomatic relations.
April 1961 - The US supported the Bay of Pigs.
October 1960 - The USA banned buying sugar then banned all trade with Cuba.
How did the USSR become involved with Cuba?
They hoped to turn Cuba into a Soviet missile base.
They could use missiles in Cuba to bargain over the US missiles in Turkey.
They could gain the upper hand in the arms race.
They were trying to test Kennedy, who already looked weak as a result of the Berlin Wall.
Khrushchev was anxious to defend Cuba from US attack. Cuba was Communist in America’s capitalist sphere of influence.
Why did Khrushchev put missiles on Cuba?
Missile gap - the US had more long range missile than the USSR. By putting medium range missiles on Cuba, the USSR were begging to close the gap between them.
Khrushchev hoped to strengthen his own position with the USSR. People in the USSR were criticising Khrushchev, so Khrushchev thought that by putting missiles on Cuba and forcing concessions out of President Kennedy he would gain prestige.
Khrushchev wanted to defend Cuba - it was the only Communist state in America’s sphere of influence. It looked bad for the USA.
What were Kennedy’s 5 options after missiles were on Cuba and what did he do?
- Do nothing✖️
- Air attack✖️
- Invasion✖️
- Diplomatic pressure✖️
- Blockade✔️ to stop missiles entering Cuba.
What were the events of the Crisis?
16th October - Kennedy informed of the missiles and Ex-Comm is formed.
20th October - Kennedy decided to blockade Cuba.
22nd October - Kennedy announced the blockade and told the USSR to remove missiles from Cuba.
23rd October - Kennedy gets a letter from Khrushchev saying that Soviet ships will not observe the blockade.
24th October - the blockade begins - 20 soviet ships approach the blockade, slow down and turn around
25th October - despite the ships turning around, work continued on the missile sites in Cuba
26th October - Kennedy received a letter from Khrushchev - it said the missiles on Cuba were defensive, but if the USA would promise not to attack Cuba, he would remove the missiles
27th October - Khrushchev sent a second letter - he revised his proposals, he would only remove the missiles from Cuba if the USA removed their missiles from Turkey
27th October - Kennedy replies to Khrushchev saying that he would accept the terms of the first letter and if the USSR do not withdraw he will attack
28th October - Khrushchev replied to Kennedy - he would remove the missiles from Cuba
Khrushchev won the Crisis because…
Kennedy removed his missiles from Turkey.
Cuba is still Communist in America’s sphere of influence.
Pushed America into promising not to invade Cuba.
Threatened America more than Russia had ever done.
He tested America to see how far they’d go.
Made Russia look powerful - superpower.
Kennedy won the Crisis because…
Khrushchev removed his missiles from Cuba without a nuclear war.
Embarrassed the Russians by forcing them to admit that missiles were in Cuba.
Tested the Russians to see how far they’d go, the Russians don’t want a war.
Looked more powerful - avoided another World War.
Did not gloat about Russians backing down.
Didn’t give way to Russian threats.
What were the results of the Crisis?
1963 - a hotline teleprinter was set up. This was a direct link between the Kremlin and the White House & gave instant contact between the two leaders.
A Test Ban treaty was signed which stopped nuclear tests being carried out above ground.
1968 - the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was signed. The superpowers promised to not supply nuclear technology to other countries.
What happened in the Cuban Revolution?
1952 - Cuba was ruled by Batista. Allowed American businessmen to make huge profits in a country where many lived in poverty.
1953 - Castro attempted to overthrow the government but he was defeated and imprisoned. He was released and fled Cuba in 1955.
1956 - Castro began a guerrilla war.
1959 - Castro gained enough power to over throw the government.
What did Castro do to American businesses?
Nationalised them
