The Global War 1955–1963: Confrontation between the Superpowers - Cuba Flashcards
When was the Cuban Revolution
Jan 1959
Who led the Cuban Revolution
Fidel Castro
What ideology does Castro prescribe to
Marxism, nationalism
How did the Soviet and Cuban relationship begin
Castro invited deputy chairman of soviet council of ministers, Mokyan, to the capital - Feb 1960
He returned with a glowing account of the revolution and arranged $100 million in credits w/ Castro
In July, Khrushchev says if US ever invaded Cuba, they would launch a missile attack on the USA
Why was the Cuban revolution distressing to the US
In the western hemisphere, the US’s ‘backyard’
What was the Bay of Pigs
A US plan designed to invade Cuba and start an uprising
What Operations were involved in the Bay of Pigs
Operation Mongoose- aim to overthrow Castro
Oplan 312 & 314 - air strikes and land attacks
Operation Quick Kick
What did these operations show
Military aggression - days of Peaceful coexistence were over
Peaceful coexistence was never that secure if after the U2 debacle it had already worsened relations up to this
Why did Bay of Pigs fail
JFK, insisting it must be covert to avoid criticism, caused the mission to be moved to a new location just one month before
However this was a poor choice of location, Castro had much support here, it was surround by swampland and far from a large group of civilians needed to start an uprising
What was Operation Anadyr
USSR concluded that in the face of a US invasion, Cuba would last no more than a week, so Khrushchev deploys nukes and 14,000 ground troops there
When was the 13 day missile crisis
Oct 16th to Oct 28th 1962
When were the missiles discovered
14th Oct 1962 - by a US spy plane
How did the US respond
US Navy set up a 1200 km from the Cuban coast, where any soviet ships that entered would be stopped & searched for weapons to be delivered to Cuba
Oct 22nd - JFK announces the news on TV, says if any nuke is launched from Cuba the US would respond with a massive nuclear attack on the USSR
What was Khrushchev’s initial compromise for Cuba
Oct 26th- Khrushchev informed the US he would withdraw missiles if the US guaranteed not to invade Cuba
Why did Khrushchev add to his requirements for withdrawal?
Realised they made him look too weak So he insisted on Oct 27th that the US remove their Jupiter missile sin Turkey in return
US agreed
