Cuban Missile Crisis- ORIGINS (Including Bay of Pigs) Flashcards
Who ruled Cuba before Fidel Castro?
Batista, an army officer, who had seized power with the help of USA.
When was the Cuban revolution?
January 1959
How far was Cuba from America?
145km
What reforms were introduced after Castro overthrew Batista in the Cuban revolution?
Castro worked to end corruption in government and improve the conditions of agricultural and industrial workers.
Why did the USA grow increasingly concerned by Castro’s reforms?
- Castro began appointing communists in his government.
- He signed a trade agreement with the USSR, in which
Cuban sugar would be swapped for machinery, oil and
economic aid (and conventional weapons such as
machine guns). - Castro nationalised American industries in Cuba.
How did the USA react to Castro’s reforms?
In January 1960 the USA stopped buying Cuban sugar, and then banned all trade with Cuba; by January 1961 the USA stopped all diplomatic relations with Cuba.
What effect did the USA reactions to Castro’s reforms have?
This pushed Castro closer to the USSR
The USA now planned something far more drastic, the Bay of Pigs invasion.
What was the Bay of Pigs invasion?
The Bay of Pigs invasion (1961) was a failed attempt to reverse Fidel Castro’s Cuban revolution. This was led by Cuban exiles living in Florida; JFK supported this plan. Weapons and transport was provided by the CIA. The exiles hoped to establish a base for guerrilla activities against Castro and they were confident the Cuban people would support them.
Why was the Bay of Pigs Invasions such a disaster?
The force of 1,400 Cuban exiles landed in Cuba but found themselves faced with 20,000 Cuban troops; the people did not rise up in support of the exiles. Most importantly both Castro and Krushchev knew it had been planned by the CIA (Kennedy was humiliated).
What were the consequences of the Bay of Pigs?
- The invasion convinced Castro that he needed more
Soviet support to defend himself against possible US
attacks. - In September 1961 Krushchev publicly announced that he
would provide arms to Cuba. - By 1962 Castro had a very well equipped army containing the latest tanks, missiles and ‘technicians’ (who were Soviet military personnel).
- Castro now declared himself to be a communist.
How did the Bay of Pigs affect the relationship between the USA and USSR?
- Kennedy was humiliated as the invasion failed.
- The USA looked hypercritical as they were supporting an
invasion of an independent country. - The USSR had the upper hand, as the Cubans wanted a
pro-communist regime, which showed the popularity of
communism. - Stronger relations were established between Cuba and
the USSR, which made Kennedy feel threatened. What if
the USSR placed missiles on Cuba?
