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The Cuban Crises

The Cuban Crises. Charlotte Manzone . 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

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The Cuban Crises

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  1. The Cuban Crises Charlotte Manzone

  2. 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 Cold War 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.

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. Leading to the Bay of Pigs Fiasco • Anti-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

  6. RECAP: Timeline between the relations between Cuba & US

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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.

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. RECAP: Timeline between the relations between Cuba & US

  15. 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

  16. Useful Links

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

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

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