Cuban Crises (26 lugl 1953 anni – 28 ottob 1962 anni)

Descrizione:

Cuban Revolution – 1953 – ‘59
• America had been highly influential in Cuba, much of the nation’s industry was owned by US business and its main export, sugar, was controlled by the USA.
• Batista’s regime was highly unpopular. In 1956, Castro and Guevara gathered a force of Guerilla fighters and raged a revolutionary war, culminating in the fall of Havana in 1959.
• Batista fled, and Castro formed a liberal nationalist government.
• US businesses were nationalised and land reform limited the size of farms.
US reaction
• US refused to accept compensation offered by Cuba for American-owned property and land taken.
• Eisenhower reduced US imports of Cuban sugar by 95% and refused economic aid when requested by Castro in 1960.
• Ended all trade (embargo) with Cuba by Oct. 1960, except for medicine and food, after Cuba nationalised American-owned Oil refineries.
• CIA attempted to assassinate Castro numerous times.
• CIA tried to convince Kennedy to invade.
USSR reaction
• Cuba began building links with it over the USA.
• Feb 1960, Cuba trades sugar for oil.
• Cuba eventually wanted Soviet defence and support.
Bay of Pigs – April ‘61
• JFK approved just after taking office.
• CIA landed 1,400 Cuban exiles at the Bay of Pigs with the aim of provoking an anti-communist uprising.
• At the last minute, Kennedy cancelled an order that promised Cuban resistance US air support.
• A nearby radio station, along with the swampy terrain allowed the Cubans to have an advantage.
• Cuban air force destroyed most ships carrying medical supplies and ammunition.
• 20,000 heavily armed Cuban troops captured or killed them all.
Cuban Missile Crisis – October ‘62
• 14th October – American U2 Spy Plane took pictures showing construction of Soviet missile launch sites. Experts warned they could be ready to fire in seven days. Another plane detected 20 Soviet ships carry nuclear weapons in the Atlantic Ocean heading for Cuba. NYC and DC were in range.
• 16th October – Kennedy informed of build-up and Ex-Comm, an advisory group, formed.
• 16th – 21st October – Ex-comm debate between Doves (i.e. secretary of Defence) and Hawks (i.e. National Security Adviser)
• 22nd October – Kennedy imposes naval blockade, to stop Soviet ships suspected of carrying nukes reaching Cuba. Kennedy makes address to American nation; “Our goal is not the victory of might, but the vindication of right”
• 23rd October – Khrushchev sends letter to Kennedy saying Soviet ships will force their way through.
• 24th October – 20 Soviet ships approaching blockade turn back despite Khrushchev’s tough talk.
• 26th October – Khruschev sends letter promising to remove sites if the USA agrees to lift the blockade and not invade Cuba.
• 27th October – US spy plane shot down over Cuba. Khruschev sends a second letter saying the launch sites will only go if US removes missiles from Turkey. Kennedy privately considers this.
• 28th October – Khrushchev makes public message to Kennedy broadcast on Moscow radio agreeing to remove all missiles in Cuba. US removal of missiles in Turkey happens in private.
Consequences
• Both sides viewed themselves victorious. Khrushchev believed he had saved the socialist regime in Cuba from invasion and had made the USA remove weapons from Turkey. Yet, Kennedy had held his election promise of standing up to the USSR and kept nukes out of Cuba.
• Internationally, the US was viewed stronger due to it appearing like they had made no compromises while the USSR had made a large one.
• Hotline installed between White House and Kremlin, direct phone link.
• 1963 Test Ban Treaty began the process of ending the testing of nukes.
• Long term may have led to SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty), agreeing to not build anymore Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles

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