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Learn about the U-2 Spy Plane Crisis during the Cold War, when a U.S. spy plane was shot down over Soviet territory, causing tension and suspicion between the superpowers. Discover the aftermath and its impact on East-West relations.
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The Cold War • Who: The U.S. and allies versus the Soviet Union and allies • What: An Intense rivalry which developed at the end of WWII between groups of Communist and non-Communist nations
The Cold War • When: End of WWII to the collapse of the Soviet Union (1945 to 1991) • Where: Europe and eventually the rest of the World • How: Through proxy wars, an arms and space race, covert operations, and political influence
U-2 PLANES SPY ON SOVIETS • In the late 1950s, the CIA began secret high-altitude spy missions over Soviet territory • The U-2’s infra-red cameras took detailed pictures of Soviet troop movements & missile sites
The U-2 Shot Down USSR was aware of American U-2 spy missions but lacked the technology to launch countermeasures until 1960. • May 1, 1960: CIA agent Francis Gary Powers’ U-2, was shot down by Soviet missile. U-2 on an espionage mission to gather intelligence about military and industrial installations on Soviet territory
U-2 SPY PLANE SHOT DOWN OVER USSR • The Pilot Francis Powers parachuted into Soviet territory, was captured and sentenced to 10-years in prison • Because of this incident, the 1960s opened with tension and suspicion between the two superpowers as great as ever.
U.S. Response to the U-2 Incident When the US learned of Powers disappearance over USSR, it issued a cover statement claiming that a "weather plane" crashed after its pilot had difficulties with his oxygen equipment. US officials did not realize:
U-2 Pilot Captured • Plane crashed intact • Soviets recovered its photography equipment
Soviets Confront the U.S. Over the U-2 Spy Plane Crisis • Khrushchev forced the U.S. to admit it when he produced the living pilot and the plane to corroborate their claim of being spied on from US spy planes.
Spy Plane Crisis – Severe Setback to U.S. and Soviet Relations • The incident worsened East-West relations and was a great embarrassment for the United States • A Paris Summit conference that had previously been scheduled for May 16, 1960 between U.S. President Eisenhower and Khrushchev was jeopardized.
U-2 Pilot Captured • The Soviets captured Powers, whom they interrogated extensively for months before he made a "voluntary confession" and public apology for his part in United States espionage.
The Paris Summit between Dwight Eisenhower and Nikita Khrushchev collapsed, in large part because Eisenhower refused to bring apologies over the incident, demanded by Khrushchev. Khrushchev left the talks on May 16, 1960.
U-2 Spy Plane Pilot Released Francis Gary Powers, pilot of the U-2 spy plane was released by the Russians in 1962, in exchange for the release of Col. Rudolf Abel a convicted Soviet spy.
Fidel Castro had been a concern to United States policymakers since he seized power in Cuba with a revolution in January 1959.
Castro's attacks on U.S. companies and interests in Cuba, his inflammatory anti-American rhetoric, and Cuba's movement toward a closer relationship with the Soviet Union led U.S. officials to conclude that the Cuban leader was a threat to U.S. interests in the Western Hemisphere.
1961: The Bay of Pigs invasion begins when a CIA financed and trained group of Cuban refugees lands in Cuba and attempts to topple the communist government of Fidel Castro. The attack was an utter failure.
On April 17, 1961 about 1300 exiles, armed with U.S. weapons, landed at the Bahía de Cochinos (Bay of Pigs) on the southern coast of Cuba. Hoping to find support from the local population, they intended to cross the island to Havana.
It was evident from the first hours of fighting, however, that the exiles were likely to lose. President Kennedy had the option of using the U.S. Air Force against the Cubans but decided against it.
Consequently, the invasion was stopped by Castro's army. By the time the fighting ended on April 19, 90 exiles had been killed and the rest had been taken as prisoners.
Additionally, the invasion made Castro wary of the U.S. He was convinced that the Americans would try to take over the island again. From the Bay of Pigs on, Castro had an increased fear of a U.S. incursion on Cuban soil.
The failure of the invasion seriously embarrassed the young Kennedy administration. Some critics blamed Kennedy for not giving it adequate support and others for allowing it to take place at all.
The invasion made Castro distrustful of the United States. He was convinced that the Americans would try to take over the Cuba again and became closer to the Soviet Union for support.
Some Key Players in the Crisis:Robert McNamara, Robert KennedyDean Rusk, Nikita Khruschev
An American U-2 Spy Plane developed in 1956 specifically to spy on the Soviets was used to observe military movement in Cuba.
Alarming Photos – October 14, 1962 • US spy planes find evidence that Cuba might be assembling nuclear weapons • Soviets are suspected of installing missile silos • Missiles do not appear to be operational yet
Soviet Ship photographed taking what could be missiles toward Cuba
Special Council set up by the Kennedy Administration called “Ex Comm” (Executive Committee) meets to discuss how to deal with the Missile Crisis in October, 1962.
The Cuban Missile Crisis Oct. 14-28, 1962 • World is brought to brink of Nuclear War. • Caused by the question of principle regarding the soviet intermediate ranged nuclear missiles being assembled with Russian help on Cuban soil.
The Cuban Missile Crisis • US sees this situation as “unacceptable“
Robert McNamara, General Maxwell Taylor, and JFK in the “oval office”
The Soviet foreign minister Andre Gromyko denies the existence of soviet Missiles on October 18th What should the US do now?
US Ambassador to the UN Adalai Stephenson embarrasses Gromyko after he publically denies the presence of soviet missiles at the UN when he produces spy photos of them.
US President Kennedy goes on Live Television October 22. Announces to World: • The presence of the Missiles. • Quarantine or blockade of Cuba. • An attack from Cuba will be regarded as an attack from the USSR and will be met by retaliation. • Puts US military forces on high alert.
JFK announces decision to blockade Cuba to the public on T.V.
The world anxiously waits to see what will happen when the blockade starts..
German Cartoon (1962). In the cartoon, Kennedy is saying: “How rude it is to put rockets in front of my front door.”
Soviet reaction on October 24th - two Soviet ships heading to Cuba stop for U.S. ships on blockade line and turn around