Unit 2.2 - The Cuban Missile Crisis 1959-63 Flashcards
January 1959 - New leader of Cuba
Fidel Castro
What was the Cuban Revolution?
A group of (communist) revolutionaries, led by Cuban leader Fidel Castro and Che Guevards, toppled the pro-American government of Cuba. Fidel Castro was a nationalist who did not want his country’s economy to be under and dependent on American control.
On January 1, Batista (previous president of Cuba) fled Cuba and Castro and forces entered Havana. Castro then assumed control of the government marking the end of the revolution.
Why was President Eisenhower concerned by the Revolution? 1. Economic Interest
American businesses had heavily invested in Cuba and much of the land was owned by Americans. Cuba’s oil refineries, networks and railways were also controlled by Americans and they had also invested in Cuba’s main export: sugar.
The nationalisation of these assets by Castro threatened American economic interests and provoked strong opposition from business groups.
Why was President Eisenhower concerned by the Revolution? 2. Communist Influence and Location
Cuba’s proximity to the U.S. coast made it important. A communist regime could serve as a base for Soviet military operations in America, heightening the risk of direct conflict between the powers.
The rise of communism so close to the US was also seen as a direct threat to American security and influence in the West.
Why was President Eisenhower concerned by the Revolution? 3. Political Stability in Latin America
Eisenhower was concerned that the Cuban Revolution could inspire similar movements in the West and Latin America. The success of Castro’s communist government could embolden other leftist movements, leading to political instability and spread of communism which inherently contradicted the spread of communism throughout the region.
By February 1960, Castro had already begun…
appointing communists to his government. Khrushchev agreed to buy Cuban sugar and provide economic aid to Cuba.
Khrushchev’s “secret clause”
Refers to the confidential understanding between the Soviet Union and Cuba regarding the deployment of Soviet nuclear missiles on Cuban soil. This was a plan to counterbalance the U.S. missile deployments in Eastern Europe, such as in Turkey and Italy, and to protect Cuba from the U.S.
How did Eisenhower respond to these concerns?
1. Economic Sanctions
The U.S. reduced the amount of sugar they bought from Cuba, and imposed economic sanctions, including an embargo on exports to Cuba, excluding food and medicine, to pressure them into surrendering or weakening Castro’s regime.
How did Eisenhower respond to these concerns?
2. Diplomatic Relations
The USA broke off all diplomatic relations with Cuba.
When was the Bay of Pigs invasion?
APRIL 1961
What was the Bay of Pigs incident?
Failed military operation undertaken by a CIA-sponsored coup composed of Cuban exiles. The invasion aimed to overthrow the government of Fidel Castro using Cuban exiles to make the attack look like a Cuban protest or counter-revolution towards communism, and use this as propaganda against the communist regime - this would also make it seem as though the USA were not involved and they are not aggressors.
Why did the Bay of Pigs invasion fail?
- Cuban exiles had little military training, so they were no match for the battle-hardened Cuban revolutionary army.
- The US failed to provide air support due to political and strategic decisions aimed at minimising overt American involvement.
- Castro knew of the planned invasion so his forces quickly overwhelmed the invaders, capturing or killing them.
- The exiles numbered about 1400 whereas the Cuban army was 20, 000.
Consequences for the USA
- Significant embarrassment for the Kennedy administration. It damaged US credibility and was seen as a major blunder in American foreign policy.
- The US was viewed as hypocritical as they had condemned the Soviets for invading Hungary to assert power but they did the same by passively invading Cuba.
Consequences for Cuba
- The invasion pushed Cuba closer to the Soviet Union, leading to increased Soviet support for Castro’s regime and setting the stage for the Cuban Missile Crisis.
- Castro declared himself as a communist.
- Khrushchev supplied Cuba with arms in 1961.
Consequences for USSR
Quick to point out that the citizens of Cuba were happy under communist rule and did not want to rise against Castro. Supplies Cuba with missiles in ‘61.
