Cold War Crises

Question 1

Why was Cuba a threat?

Answer 1

The USSR were supplying arms to Cuba
Cuba is close in proximity to the USA
Cuba is a communist controlled country

Question 2

Who was Fidel Castro?

Answer 2

Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba

Question 3

What was the Bay of Pigs?

Answer 3

1400 cuban exiles landed in the bay of pigs for the attempted overthrow of Fidel Castro. They were crushed and the event was a US humiliation

Question 4

When was the bay of pigs?

Answer 4

7th of April 1961

Question 5

Why was the Bay of Pigs a total failure?

Answer 5

20,000 soldiers were ready and waiting to fight againts them
There was a lack of support from the cuban civilians
The exiles had no military experience
The US could not send airstrikes or ground forces

Question 6

What is a common misconception about the bay of pigs?

Answer 6

That it was an invasion by US troops.
In reality it was Cuban Exiles supported by the CIA.

Question 7

What were the consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Answer 7

A hotline between Moscow and Washington was set up
Test ban treaty was created
Khrushchev’s authority was affected- replaced in 1964
Weapons were removed from Turkey in secret

Question 8

Summary of the 16th october ( The 13 days of the Cuban Missile crisis)

Answer 8

Kennedy called together an ExComm to discuss how the USA should react to the fact that US spy planes have found missiles on Cuba.

Question 9

Summary of the 22nd october ( The 13 days of the Cuban Missile crisis)

Answer 9

Kennedy decided instead of lanching an attack they would set up a Naval Blockade. If the USSR ignored the blockade a war may have broken out.

Question 10

Summary of the 24th of October ( The 13 days of the Cuban Missile crisis)

Answer 10

The Soviet ships reached the blockade and turned around. This partly solved the problem however there was still the problem of missiles in cuba

Question 11

Summary of the 26th of October ( The 13 days of the Cuban Missile crisis)

Answer 11

Khrushchev sent Kennedy a telegram offering to remove missiles from cuba if the Americans agreed not to invade

Question 12

Summary of the 27th of october ( The 13 days of the Cuban Missile crisis)

Answer 12

Khrushchev sent a new telegram saying that he would remove the missiles only if US missiles in Turkey were removed

Question 13

Summary of the 28th of October ( The 13 days of the Cuban Missile crisis)

Answer 13

Kennedy ignored the second telegram and agreed to Khrushchev’s proposal. Khrushchev then sent his agreement. Weapons were removed from Turkey in secret.

Question 14

What year was the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Answer 14

1962

Question 15

Hotline between Moscow and Washington

Answer 15

A Hotline was introduced that replaced telegrams. It was introduced so that they could communicate quicker and prevent future misunderstandings that could cause war.

Question 16

Test ban treaty : 1963

Answer 16

To prohibit the testing of nuclear weapons in outer space, underwater or in the atmosphere

Question 17

Outer Space Treaty: 1967

Answer 17

Missiles could not be placed in space

Question 18

Causes of the cuban missile crisis

Answer 18

The USA had missiles in Turkey- increased tension as the Soviet Union felt under threat
The USSR were losing the arms race- Khrushchev needed to restore the nuclear balance
The bay of pigs
Communist revolution in cuba - castro coming into power

Question 19

Who were the ‘Hawks’ (US politics)?

Answer 19

Those who tend to favour a military solution to a problem

Question 20

Who were the ‘Doves’ (US politics)?

Answer 20

Those who tend to favour a peaceful, diplomatic solution

Question 21

What were the options discussed when Kennedy heard the news of missiles in Cuba?

Answer 21

Launch a nuclear strike on the missile sites in Cuba
Launch a full scale invasion of Cuba
Naval Blockade- stop ships carrying USSR military goods to Cuba

Question 22

What was Détente?

Answer 22

The period of relaxation after the Cuban missile crisis in an attempt to ease tension.