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Cuban Missile Crisis13 Days that Changed the almost
changed World
The Cuban Missile Crisisbrought the world to the brink of nuclear
war in October 1962.
Lesson overview
What was the background to the events in Cuba?
How successful were early attempts at ‘containment’?
Why was the USSR interested in helping Cuba?
What happened during the October Crisis?
What was the outcome of the crisis?
Setting the Stage
1. The Truman Doctrine2. The Marshall Plan3. Containment4. The Domino Theory5. The Berlin Blockade6. The Berlin Wall
Why are these events so important when trying to understand the Cold War?
Based on your knowledge of the Cold War, outline the reasons why your historical policy or event helped increase the tension at the outset of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
What was the background to the events in Cuba?
Cuba, small island, 160 km from coast of Florida
US ally, US businesses & US military base (Guantanamo)
1959, Fidel Castro overthrows Battista (US-backed dictator), establishing Communist government.
Why was Cuba so important to the
Americans?
How successful were early attempts at ‘containment’?
Castro takes over US businesses
January 1961, US breaks off diplomatic relations
April, 1961, Bay of Pigs – 1,400 anti-Cuban exiles attempted to overthrow Castro
Autumn 1962, Cuba has received 1000s of USSR missiles, jets, boats & personnel
The US committed $100 million to overthrowing Castro, the CIA tried to sabotage the economy, they even planned to send him an exploding cigar! Why did they go to such lengths
after April 1961?
The Bay of Pigs Invasion The 1961 Bay of Pigs
Invasion was an unsuccessful attempt at invasion following the Cuban Revolution that saw Fidel Castro come to power
It was planned and funded by the United States
The invasion was carried out by armed Cuban exiles in southwest Cuba.
This action accelerated a rapid deterioration in Cuban-American relations worsened by the Cuban Missile Crisis the following year.
Why was the USSR interested in helping Cuba? Cuba was a new Communist state Cuba provided a launch base for USSR inter-
continental missiles (ICMs) Khrushchev wanted to test strength of new
US president, JFK Khrushchev wanted to force JFK into
bargaining over US missile in Europe
Why does this cartoonist think that
Khrushchev was interested in
Cuba?
The Escalation Ladder
1. Do Nothing2. Go to the United
Nations3. Naval Blockade4. Strategic Air
strike5. Full Invasion of
Cuba
Which policy do you think the USA should have employed with the Soviets?In groups of 5 or 6 which I will choose – make a case for your option.
What happened during the October Crisis?
14 October 1962, US U2 spy plane takes photos of suspected USSR missile sites on Cuba
Sites nearing completion, experts believe they could be ready in 7 days
US spy planes identify 20 Soviet ships bound for Cuba carrying missiles
Why have some modern historians questioned
the accuracy of these spy plane
pictures?
One of our U-2 flights over Cuba has revealed what analysts believe to be
nuclear missiles. Sir, the missiles look to be from the Soviet Union.
The Missiles: One Site
Your task
You are about to find out what actually happened during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Complete a timeline in your notes. There are 10 key events to include.
It’s time to discuss military options sir. The Soviets still deny that there are
nuclear missiles in Cuba.
What happened during the October Crisis?
20 October, Kennedy decides to blockade Cuba
22 October, Kennedy publicly calls on Khrushchev to remove weapons
What happened during the October Crisis?
23 October Khrushchev refuses to acknowledge blockade or presence of Soviet missiles on Cuba
24 October, 1st Soviet ships (accompanied by submarine) approach 800 km exclusion zone
What happened during the October Crisis?
24 October, 10:32 am, Soviet ships stop and turn round
25 October, aerial photos show continued construction of missile sites
26 October, Kennedy receives another letter offering to negotiate over missiles in Cuba with removal of blockade and US invasion threat
27 October, Kennedy receives second letter calling for withdrawal of US missiles in Turkey too
What happened during the October Crisis?
27 October, US U2 plane shot down over Cuba & pilot killed.Kennedy decides to ignore second letter, but accepts terms of 1st letter
28 October, Khrushchev agrees to dismantle Soviet missiles in Cuba
What is this cartoonist trying to say about the
difficulties facing Kennedy during the Crisis?
The American Decision In September Kennedy had
stated and Congress had passed a resolution saying that if the Soviet Union placed offensive weapons in Cuba we would not tolerate it. Could we then rely solely on
diplomacy? Kennedys thought John could be “impeached” if he didn’t act in accordance with his prior warnings
Determined in first 48 hours of crisis that the removal of missiles was the primary objective This objective effectively ruled
out isolated diplomacy, and left two options…
Castro’s Role No real role in
decision making Apparently out of
touch with the situation Oct. 26: “Aggression
imminent/imperialists disregarding world opinion”—Clearly not the case
Khrushchev plays along to some extent but it is clear he disagrees with him (“your suggestion would have started a thermonuclear world war”)
What was the outcome of the crisis?
Cuba remained Communist & heavily armed (without nuclear missiles)
Both leaders didn’t lose face and came away with concessions
Helped renew the thaw – world saw the futility of MAD
Permanent hotline between White House & Kremlin set up
Supported theory of containment & co-existence because alternatives unimaginable
Who do you think won the missile crisis? Kennedy, Khrushchev or neither? Explain your answer.
Homework
Write a short press release explaining the background,
key events & outcome for the Soviet news agency ‘Pravda’
and for the White House spokesmen’s speech to
journalists.