Cuban Missiles Crisis

What was the Cuban Missiles Crisis?

A 13-day confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union that brought the world close to nuclear war.

When was the Cuban Missiles Crisis?

16th October - 28th October 1962?

Who were the key people involved in the Cuban Missiles Crisis?

• Fulgencio Batista (USA’s man in Havana 1940-59).

• Ghe Guevara & Fidel Castro (leaders of the 26th July movement).

• J F Kennedy (USA’s president).

What was the 25th July movement?

It was an revolutionary organisation led by Castro as an attempt to overthrow Batista.

How long did the 25th July movement last?

5 years (26th July 1953 - 1st January 1953).

What were the outcomes of the 25th July movement?

It led to the Cuban Revolution.

What was Batista like as Cuban President?

• He was Pro-American and had close co-operation between Cuban and US governments.

• He had a brutal and repressive regime.

What is the doctrine that was introduced in 1823?

Monroe Doctrine.

What is the Monroe doctrine?

It is a US policy that prevented European powers from recolonising Latin American nations or expanding their influence in the Western Hemisphere.

What is the context of Cuba towards the Americans?

• The USA had 83% of their total experts which gave them control over prices for sugars and tobacco.

• 60% of their sugar industry was owned by the USA by 1926.

• The Platt Adamant gave the US the right to intervene in newly independent Cuba’s political and military affairs.

What was the Cuban Revolution?

The military and political movement that overthrow the dictatorship of Batista.

When was the Cuban Revolution?

26 July 1953 - 1st January 1959.

What were the outcomes of the Cuban Revolution?

• Batista was overthrown by Castro in 1959. 

• It lead to the establishment of the Communist state.

• It broke down the US and Cuba’s relations as Castro refused to pay reformation for nationalised American-owned companies.

What was Castro viewed as during this revolution?

A Nationalist and not a Communist.

What did Castro do in Cuba which provoked their relationship with the USA?

• His economic reforms on US owned companies were backed up with the support of Mikoyan.

• He planned to reduce US economic and political influence in Cuba in order to cement his position as leader.

How much money did Mikoyan aid to Cuba?

100 million dollars.

What was the Bay of Pigs?

A failed military operation consisting of Cuban exiles who opposed Castro’s Cuban Revolution.

When was the Bay of Pigs?

17th - 20th April 1961.

Who was involved in the Bay of Pigs?

• J F Kennedy

• Castro

• Eisenhower 

How was Eisenhower involved in the Bay of Pigs?

The Bay of Pigs was originally planned by him but was later carried out by J F Kennedy when he was elected as president.

What was the outcome of the Bay of Pigs?

It strengthened Castro’s rule in Cuba and deepened its ties with the Soviet Union.

What were the reasons to why the Soviets deployed nuclear weapons in Cuba?

• Operation Mongoose.

• OPLAN 312.

• OPLAN 314.