When did Cuba gain independence from Spain?
1859
What was the relationship like between the USA and Cuba/Latin America?
- USA considered it to be it’s ‘own backyard’ -> they had great political and economic influence
- during Cold War US govt. used influence:
- ->to keep communism out of their “backyard”
- ->to prevent European countries from interfering in Latin America
- Roosevelt used the “good neighbor policy” to:
- ->provide economic and military support
- ->keep tight control of Central America
What was the USA’s relationship with Cuba after helping it gain independence?
- Cuba was under influence of USA
- Subservient relationship
- Cuban economy owned and controlled by American companies
- US bought bulk of Cuba’s main export crop –> sugar (US dependent on it)
- US had important navy base at Guantanamo bay
What were the living conditions of Cubans during the 1950s?
- lived in poverty
- 40% of Cuba’s 6 million people = illiterate and shortage of teachers etc & 2% of population owned over 50% of land
- ruled by dictator Batista –> tolerated by USA because his regime was seen as a safeguard against communism
Who led a revolution against Batista and took control over Cuba? And when?
Fidel Castro
1958
What was the American response to Cuban Revolution?
- US president Eisenhower’s govt was suspicious of Castro –> communist?
- especially after he introduced socialist reforms such as:
- -> redistribution of land
- -> nationalization of industries
- -> collectivization of agriculture
- this had an impact on foreign American investors
What was the USA’s reaction to their suspicions?
-US refused Cuba loans and economic aid
-Banned Cuban sugar imports to the US
-Broke off diplomatic ties
When Castro turned to the Soviet Union for help
-US enforced trade embargo
What happened when Castro turned to the Soviet Union?
- Thousands of soviet technicians and advisors arrived in Cuba
- US convinced Castro is a communist
- more pressure the US put on Castro, the closer he moved to the USSR
- USA then planers to overthrow Castro to avoid the communistic threat
When did the bay of pigs invasion take place?
1961
What happened at the Bay of Pigs invasion?
- many middle-class Batista supporters fled from Cuba during the revolution
- CIA trained anti-Castro Cuban exiles for an invasion
- USA believes that an invasion would trigger a general uprising against Castro
- landed 1500 at BOP
What was the result of Bay of pigs and why?
FAILURE
- no uprising took place
- outnumbered by Castro’s troops
- defeated within hours
- US deeply embarrassed –> involvement exposed + invasion poorly planned and executed
- Castro declared himself a communist (pushed by US)
When did the October Crisis begin?
14 October 1962
How did the October crisis begin and why was it a threat to the USA?
- American U2 spy plane got photographs of missile sites on Cuba
- Nuclear missiles were within range of US largest cities
- Soviet ships carrying nuclear missiles to Cuba
What was the dilemma between Kennedy and Khrushchev?
Neither wanted to fire first nuclear shot and unleash world destruction
What was Kennedy’s position at the beginning of the October crisis?
- Believed Khrushchev was testing his character
- Need to take tough stand against soviets
- Bay of pigs = ruined reputation and needed to try get it back
What was Khrushchev’s position at the beginning of the October crisis?
- needed to safeguard his reputation as communist leader
- soviet missiles reasonable since US had missiles in turkey
When was Kennedy informed of the discovery?
16 October 1962
What were Kennedy’s choices?
- Do nothing
- Air attack –> destroy nuclear missiles
- Diplomatic pressures –> get UN to intervene
- Invasion
- Blockade –> Ban on USSR to bring any more military suppliers into Cuba –> US navy stop +search Soviet ships
What was the for and against of: doing nothing?
For: -USA greater nuclear power then USSR
- didn’t want to over react
Against: - USSR lied about missiles
- already issued warning
- sign of weakness
What was the for and against of: air attack?
For: - destroy missiles before ready to use
Against: - destruction of all sites not guaranteed
- soviet soldiers killed = retaliation
- attack without warning = immoral
What was the for and against of: diplomatic pressures?
For: - it would avoid conflict
Against: - USA might be forced to back down = weakness
What was the for and against of: invasion?
For: - get rid of missiles and Castro
Against: - soviet might respond to protect Cuba
What was the for and against of: a blockade?
For: - shows that USA serious
- no direct war
- burden on Khrushchev - what next?
- USA had a strong navy
Against: - not solve problem missiles - already on Cuba - ready within week
- Soviet Union could retaliate like when they used the Berlin Wall in 1948
What happened next in the October crisis?
20 oct: Kennedy decides on blockade
22 oct: announced blockade + calls on soviets to withdraw missiles
22 oct: Khrushchev calls blockade “piracy”
24 oct: soviet ships reach blockade but turn around
26 oct: Khrushchev’s first letter arrives = ultimatum
–> if US lifted blockade and not invade Cuba - he will remove nuclear weapons (1st time soviets admits nuclear weapons)
27 oct: 2nd letter from Khrushchev =revising proposals
–> will remove Cuban missiles if US remove missiles in turkey
- US U2 plane was also shot down = called for military action to take place
- Kennedy responds to 1st letter and ignores second
–> agrees to terms in 1st letter but if missiles aren’t removed then attack
-same day Robert Kennedy visits soviet ambassador –> promise to remove missiles in turkey in “short time”
28 oct: Khrushchev agrees to remove weapon
CRISIS OVER
