pg 31 to 38: Cuban missile crisis, bay of pigs and naval blockade Flashcards
(16 cards)
What were Khrushchev’s three reasons for building nuclear missile sites in Cuba?
-It was cheaper to create a nuclear balance with the United States.
-The USA was winning the arms race (255 long-range missiles vs. Soviet’s 75).
-He disliked the 15 US Jupiter missiles in Turkey, which could destroy Soviet cities in 6 minutes.
Why did Khrushchev pick Cuba for missile sites?
-In 1959, Fidel Castro’s government, sympathetic to the Soviet Union, came to power.
-Castro angered the US by taking over American-owned companies, making trade agreements with the USSR, and declaring communism.
-The failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 (1,500 attackers killed or wounded) led Castro to see the USA as an enemy and seek Soviet support.
What was the Bay of Pigs Invasion, and what was its outcome?
It was an attempt by US-backed Cuban exiles (1,500 strong) to overthrow Fidel Castro on April 17, 1961. It was an embarrassing failure, with the exiles easily defeated, no uprising, and all attackers killed or wounded. This tarnished the US’s international image and pushed Castro closer to the Soviet Union.
What was the Cuban Missile Crisis?
It was the closest the world ever came to nuclear war. It was triggered by the Soviet Union’s placement of intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Cuba in 1962, capable of hitting US cities.
How many Soviet servicemen and missiles arrived in Cuba between July and October 1962?
43,000 Soviet servicemen arrived, along with hundreds of tanks and anti-aircraft missiles. 64 SS-4 and SS-5 missiles were placed on nine bases.
How was the secrecy of the missile deployment broken?
On October 14, 1962, an American U-2 ‘spy-plane’ photographed large-scale construction work, which experts identified as an SS-4 missile launch site.
How did the Soviet Union’s military capabilities compare to the US in 1962 regarding missiles?
The Soviet Union was far behind in the arms race. Soviet missiles were powerful enough for Europe, but US missiles could strike the entire Soviet Union. The placement of SS-4 and SS-5 missiles in Cuba would “double the Soviet strategic arsenal.”
What immediate actions did President Kennedy take upon learning of the missile installations?
He organized the Executive Committee of the National Security Council (EXCOMM), a group of his twelve most important advisors, to handle the crisis. After seven days of debate, he decided to impose a naval quarantine around Cuba.
What were the main concerns evident from the photographs of the missile sites?
-The missiles could hit major US cities easily.
-The Soviets were supplying Castro.
-Soviet ships carrying nuclear missiles were heading to Cuba.
List the five options the Americans considered in 1962 and their possible outcomes.
-Nuclear Strike? Would cause a nuclear war.
-Conventional attack? Russian troops were in Cuba, probably leading to war with Russia.
-Use the UN? Too slow.
-Do nothing? Missile bases were too dangerous.
-Blockade/Quarantine? Would stop missiles but was not a direct act of war.
What was the argument against “No Retaliation”?
Any military action would mean another war, with immense human and economic costs, especially with the existence of atomic bombs. It would allow Communism to spread.
What was the argument for “Airstrike on Cuban Missile Bases”?
-Directly destroy the missiles, which pose a direct threat to US cities and millions of lives.
-Demonstrate US military strength and prevent future Soviet missile deployments.
-Avoid an all-out invasion, saving lives, and preventing World War III.
What was the argument for “Invasion of Cuba”?
-Show Soviet strength and not back down after the Bay of Pigs failure.
-Eliminate Fidel Castro and the Communist regime.
-Ensure safety of American citizens and prevent Communist spread.
What was the argument for “Naval Blockade”?
-It was seen as the “perfect middle ground between war and peace” – a practice of containment.
-It would prevent more missiles from entering Cuba and pressure Soviets to remove existing ones.
-Leverage US naval supremacy and avoid a direct act of war.
Why did the US respond so strongly to the missiles in Cuba, beyond the immediate threat?
-Public Opinion: The Cuban missiles appeared to be a major threat to the American public, and Kennedy couldn’t ignore this, especially with elections three weeks away.
-Monroe Doctrine: The placement of Soviet missiles challenged the long-standing US policy (since 1823) of not allowing European control in the Americas.
: What specific actions did Kennedy take on October 22 regarding the crisis?
-Made the public aware of the situation and his decision to quarantine/blockade Cuba.
-Announced that any nuclear missile launched from Cuba would be considered an attack on the USA.
-Demanded Soviet ships turn around and missiles in Cuba be removed.
-Ordered US ships to intercept Soviet ships potentially carrying nuclear weapons.
