9. Crisis Years pt2, 1960-62

9

1960 election candidates

Nixon (R) and JFK (D)

JFK’s campaign

claimed there was a massive missile advantage to the USSR allowing them first strike capability. Forced Nixon to deny this without any real evidence to back up - incompetence.

JFK’s Cold War policy

‘flexible response’ to wage a limited war without risking WW3. Increase arms production which boosted the states with those factories

2 crisis

Berlin Wall, Cuban Missile Crisis

Berlin Wall context

Vienna summit was held between JFK and Krushchev where Krushchev issues another ultimatum for the US to leave Berlin, although they have a legal right to remain in their own half as it is an occupied territory

Berlin Wall escalation

Krushchev decided he could build a wall around W Berlin to prevent US presence and the brain drain

symbolism of the Berlin Wall

The communist way of life could not be that good if Krushchev had to physically keep citizens from leaving it. Threatened Khrushchev’s grand design

Cuban Missile Crisis context

Cuba had been dominated by US since 1898 and largely made up of sugar plantations and mafia-run hotels and casinos

Cuban Rev

Fidel Castro led a revolution against the US backed gov and nationalised the plantations and hotels. Castro turned to the USSR for help

Cuban Bay of Pigs

US sent an amphibious force of Cuban exiles to attack Cuba as they believed Cubans just needed leading, but cancelled air support at the last min leaving all the fighters to be slaughtered on the coast

Missile Crisis context

1962, USSR deploy missile infrastructure on Cuba to show seriousness of commitment. US U2s identify this and announce to the UN

Escalation of Missile Crisis

Ex Comm suggested US launch small scale strike on structures. USSR had already planned to start WW3 should the US do this. They did not

Conclusion of Cuban Missile Crisis

US created a naval blockade around Cuba. Begin private negotiations. 1962 deal accepted that US would not invade (public) and move weapons out of Türkiye (private), USSR will leave Cuba