Chapter 12: Confrontation between the superpowers Flashcards
The Cuban Missile Crisis
1
Q
Who was Batista?
A
- Cuban dictator 1952-9
2
Q
Who was Castro?
A
- Landed in Cuba in 1956 and launched a guerrilla campaign
- PM of Cuba from 1959
3
Q
Who was Che Guevara?
A
- Argentinian Marxist - joined Castro - was minister of industry under Castro - part of the nationalisation programme
4
Q
What happened 1956-9 in Cuba? (revolution hint hint)
How did the US respond?
A
- Castro and Los Barbudos arrive in Cuba to carry out a guerrilla campaign
- 1st Jan 1959 - Batista’s regime collapsed
- US let it run its course - not a communist uprising
- Put an embargo on arms shipments to Batista
- 1959 - Castro goes to UN - Eisenhower refuses to meet him - pushes Castro to USSR
5
Q
What does Castro first introduce to Cuba?
A
- May 1959
- Agrarian reform - seize lots of American property on Cuba
- Still no US intervention - can’t afford it after Berlin crisis
6
Q
How is Cuba then supported by the USSR?
A
- Feb 1960
- Soviet first deputy PM goes to Cuba and gives them $100 million in credit
- Now have political and economic ties to USSR
- US fear communism in Latin America and Domino effect
7
Q
How does Soviet aid impact US actions to Cuba?
A
- April 1960
- 1st crude oil shipment to Cuba from the USSR - US owned oil companies refuse to refine it - Castro nationalises them
- US introduce economic sanctions - reduce Cuban sugar imports by 95%
8
Q
How does the US - Cuban relations deteriorate further?
A
- Castro seized $1 billion of US assets and look to the USSR for protection
- US decide it is time to look to removing Castro
9
Q
When and what was the bay of pigs fiasco?
A
- April 1961
- CIA plan inherited by Kennedy from Eisenhower
- 1500 Cuban exiles (trained up by US forces) sent to Cuba
- Sent to overthrow Castro’s regime
- Defeated
- Humiliated Kennedy
10
Q
What was Operation Mongoose?
A
- Nov 1961
- To overthrow Castro by covert operations
- To be assassinated if needed
11
Q
What are the consequences of Bay of pigs and Mongoose?
A
- Draws Castro closer to the USSR for protection
- Helped to consolidate Castro’s rule as he is seen as defeating and protecting against American imperialism
12
Q
Why do the USSR deploy nuclear missiles on Cuba?
A
- Assist a left wing nation
- Can have a military presence in the Americas
- Can have long range missiles close to US
- Made large scale conventional forces not needed - less expensive - money can be spent on civilian economy
13
Q
Why was Khrushchev under pressure?
A
- Mao sees him as a reformist
- Berlin (+Ulbricht) - image of communism ruined by the wall
14
Q
Why was Kennedy under pressure?
A
- Khrushchev - after U2 affair (1961) and ultimatums (Vienna)
- Americans - failed bay of pigs (1961) needs to succeed
- Congressional elections (Nov 1962) - needs to look good
- Advisors - split between hawks (want military action) and doves (want diplomatic resolution)
15
Q
What dates does the missile crisis span?
A
- 14 - 28 Oct 1962
