The Cuban Crises

Charlotte Manzone

The Cold War Cold War followed suit after

WWII primarily due to tensions between the US and USSR (1945) Difference in ideology: capitalism

vs. communism Both wanted to dominate

international affairs

Americans became increasingly concerned about communist “infiltration” in the US Federal Loyalty and Security

Program McCarran Internal Security Act

(1950)

The Cuban Missile Crisis evolved from the mistrust between the two superpowers of the Cold War, as a result of the differences between them over political and economic ideology.

Causes of the Cuban Missile Crisis Tensions between USA and USSR Kennedy’s goal: to stop the spread of communism

Kennedy’s “flexible response” – to be ready for any invasion or spread of communism

Founded the Peace Corps to help mobilize American idealism & technical skills to help devoting nations Growing fear of increased Soviet and Cuban influence in Latin America The US provided $80 billion in investment funds for Latin American

economies Biggest US aid program & called for substantial reform of Latin

American institutions Hoped to encourage Latin American regions to turn to nationalism

Due to the sentiments of the Cold War, the US feared to have Cuba, in such close proximity to the US, be a communist country

Causes of the Cuban Missile Crisis Before 1859, Cuba was ruled by Fulgencio Batista (ally of the

US) whose corrupt regime encouraged American businesses, tourists, and organized crime Revolutionaries led by Castro (1959) overthrew Castro Eisenhower’s new plan to overthrow the new government

(illegal)

Fidel Castro gets friendly with USSR Communist Fidel Castro took power in Cuba Trade agreement whereby Cuba sent sugar to Russia, in return for

oil, machines, and money America stopped all trading with Cuba Cuba nationalized all American-owned companies

The Bay of Pigs and its aftermath

Leading to the Bay of Pigs FiascoAnti-Castro exiles were eager to organize an

invasion of their homeland, believing that Cubans would rise against Castro (communism) as soon as “democratic” forces provided the necessary leadership

Under Eisenhower, the CIA had begun training some 2,000 Cuban exiles in Nicaragua

RECAP: Timeline between the relations between Cuba & US

October 28, 1959

Turkey and the US agree to place 15 nuclear-tipped Jupiter missiles in Turkey

May 7,1960 Cuba and the Soviet Union establish diplomatic relations The Soviet negotiate trade with Cuba to help

decrease their economic dependence on the US May 27, 1960 The US ends its foreign aid program for Cuba

 June 8, 1960 The US stops the import of Cuban sugar, cutting off

80% of Cuban exports to the US  

July 9, 1960 The Soviet Union agrees to buy sugar previously owned for the US markets

October 6-14, 1960

Cuba nationalizes US private investments on the island (worth $1 billion) Cuba nationalizes all foreign banks in Cuba

December 19,1960

Cuba and the Soviet Union openly align within domestic and foreign affairs

Bay of Pigs Fiasco A military debacle in April 1961 during an American-organized effort to invade Cuba and drive Fidel Castro, the communist ruler, from power. The invasion force of some 1,500 Cuban exiles was routed at the Bay of Pigs, a major embarrassment for President John F. Kennedy

The CIA had set up training camps at Guatemala

Despite the efforts in keeping the operation secret, it became known to Cuban exiles in Miami 1961 Castro was one step ahead

Kennedy adopted the plan (1961) 1,400 invaders struck in April

1961 in the Bay of Pigs The exiles were quickly captured

by Castro

Embarrassment for Kennedy Made the President seem

impulsive & unprincipled

Attempt to oust the

communism regime

from Cuba

Outcome of the Bay of Pigs Khrushchev was furious over the invasion of Cuba

Resumed nuclear testing – ordered hydrogen bombs

Kennedy followed suit Announced plans to build thousands of nuclear missiles Expanded the space program Large increase in military spending

Castro demanded military aid from the Soviets Since the US had placed missiles in Turkey, the Soviets

took the opportunity to place some in Cuba as a military tactic

Kennedy & Khrushchev's Position In secrete, Kennedy resolved

to destroy Castro

Ordered military leaders to plan a full-scale invasion of Cuba

Training maneuvers code name: ORTSAC

Operation Mongoose Plan to slip spies, saboteurs and

assassins into Cuba Under the oversight of Kennedy Attempt to assassinate Castro

failed

Khrushchev precipitated the most dangerous confrontation of the Cold War

Moved tanks, heavy bombers and 42,000 Soviet troops and technicians to the island

Sneaked several

dozens guided nuclear missiles into the country and prepared them for launch

Cuban Missile Crisis Showdown between the United States and the Soviet Union during October 1962 after the Soviet had sneaked medium-range nuclear missiles into Communist Cuba.

After President John F. Kennedy publicly demanded their removal and ordered the blockade of Cuba, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev agreed to do so, averting a nuclear war.

Occurred in 1962

US U2 Spy plane discovered that Cuba was preparing bases to install Soviet nuclear missiles Such close proximity was an unacceptable provocation,

according to President Kennedy

Kennedy ordered the Soviet Union to remove the missiles Khrushchev insisted on their right to install them

The world was on a brink of a nuclear for war If Kennedy invaded Cuba or bombed the Soviet bases and

missile sites, Khrushchev would likely seize West Berlin or bomb US missiles sites in Turkey

Kennedy ordered the search of all vessels headed for Cuba & turn back any containing “offensive” weapons

A Deal Was Reached Soviet Union removed its missiles in Cuba

The US promised to not intervene in Cuban affairs & remove the missiles placed in Turkey Currently US citizens are unable to travel to Cuba

Partial Test Ban Treaty was signed to ease tensions Signed by the US, the Soviet Union, and Great

Britain in 1963 Ban exempted underground nuclear testing

January 20, 1961

JFK becomes the 35th President of the USApril 17-18, 1961

Invasion of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs (failed) November 30, 1961

President Kennedy authorizes Operation Mongoose, to overthrow the Cuban government

Early 1962 The US missiles are placed in TurkeyOctober 15, 1962

The U2 plane discovers Soviet missiles placed in CubaOctober 24, 1962

Khrushchev refuses to remove the missiles from Cuba

October 27, 1962

Kennedy sends Khrushchev a letter stating that he will make a statement that the U.S. will not invade Cuba if Khrushchev removes the missiles from Cuba

October 28, 1962

 Khrushchev agrees over Radio Moscow to remove the missiles In return the US agrees to remove the US nuclear missiles from Turkey

RECAP: Timeline between the relations between Cuba & US

Remainder Both the US & Soviet Union did not want to go for a

WWIII Castro initiated the Soviet Union to do so, but Khrushchev

refused Castro felt that the US would plan another attack after the

Bay of Pigs

Historians argue that the nuclear threat from the Soviets was exaggerated The US nuclear forces outnumbered Soviet’s by 17:1

The Cuban Crisis originated from the difference in ideology between the Soviets and the US

Useful Links

The Cuban Missile Crisis Timeline http://www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/key-issues/nuclear-weapons/history/cold-war/cuban-missile-crisis/timeline.htm

The World on the Brink – Thirteen Days in Oct 1962 http://microsites.jfklibrary.org/cmc/