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Cuban Missile Crisis Lecture Notes

Background: Relationship between the USA and Cuba (1959-1962)
  • Cuba was geographically close to the USA, only 90 miles away.

  • Major exports from Cuba to the USA included sugar, cigars, and bananas.

  • In 1959, Fidel Castro overthrew General Batista, a pro-American dictator.

  • Post-revolution, Castro nationalized American-owned industries and banks.

  • The USA, aiming to remove Castro, cut off trade and refused to provide economic aid.

  • On April 1961, President Kennedy approved the failed Bay of Pigs invasion using 1,500 anti-Castro exiles.

  • Castro declared himself a Communist in 1961, aggravating US fears of communism spreading to its borders.

Background: Relationship between Cuba and the USSR (1960-1962)
  • During 1960-1962, Cuba's relationship with the USSR strengthened due to US hostility.

  • By 1962, over 80% of Cuba's trade involved the USSR and Eastern Europe, receiving credit and machinery in exchange for sugar and tobacco.

  • After the Bay of Pigs fiasco, Castro sought military assistance from the USSR, leading to the deployment of over 40,000 Russian soldiers and equipment to Cuba in summer 1962.

  • Secretly, the USSR sent 43 nuclear missiles to Cuba, establishing bases that posed a strategic threat to the USA.

  • The USSR needed a foothold in the USA's sphere of influence to catch up in the arms race, given that the USA had missiles in Turkey.

Causes of the Cuban Missile Crisis
  • Cuban Revolution (1959): Castro's rise to power and subsequent social reforms upset US economic interests.

  • Cuba turns to the USSR: Castro's nationalization of industries led to reduced US trade and increased reliance on the USSR for economic and military support.

  • Bay of Pigs Failure: The failed invasion in April 1961 drove Castro closer to the USSR, prompting military assistance from Khrushchev.

  • Missile Discovery (1962): US intelligence discovered Soviet missiles in Cuba in October 1962, prompting urgent action from Kennedy.

Events of the Cuban Missile Crisis
  • October 16, 1962: Kennedy forms EXCOMM for crisis management amidst military pressure for invasion.

  • October 22, 1962: Kennedy announces a naval blockade of Cuba.

  • October 23: Khrushchev states he will ignore the blockade, claiming missiles are for protection.

  • October 24: Soviet ships are ordered to defy the blockade.

  • October 25: Some Soviet ships turn back without confrontation; one oil tanker reaches Cuba.

  • October 26: Khrushchev offers to remove missiles in exchange for US non-invasion promise.

  • October 27: A second letter from Khrushchev demands US missiles be removed from Turkey; a U2 spy plane is shot down.

  • October 28: Khrushchev accepts Kennedy's terms and the crisis ends; US agrees to secret missile removal from Turkey.

  • November 20, 1962: Soviet bombers depart Cuba, and US blockade is lifted.

Consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis
  • Recognition of nuclear war risks increased communications (e.g., the Hot Line) between superpowers.

  • The Cuban Missile Crisis instigated arms control efforts: the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1963) and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (1969).

  • Khrushchev's leadership suffered; he was ousted in October 1964, partially due to his role in the crisis.

  • The resolution of the crisis prevented similar confrontations in the future, initiating a period of détente.

Who 'Won' the Cuban Missile Crisis?
  • USSR's Perspective:

    • Castro remained in power as a communist ally.

    • Stopped US invasion efforts and gained a strategic advantage.

    • Propaganda portrayed Khrushchev as a peacemaker.

  • USA's Perspective:

    • Kennedy gained stature as a leader who confronted USSR effectively.

    • The perceived Soviet retreat reinforced US strength, especially since missile removals from Turkey remained secret.

    • JFK maintained a cool composure throughout the crisis despite provocations.

    • Khrushchev's eventual ousting was influenced by the crisis' failings, marking a significant shift in Soviet leadership dynamics.

Summary
  • The Cuban Missile Crisis was a pivotal moment in the Cold War, demonstrating the importance of diplomacy in avoiding nuclear conflict and reshaping the future relations between the USA and USSR.


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Cuban Missile Crisis Lecture Notes

Background: Relationship between the USA and Cuba (1959-1962)

  • Cuba was geographically close to the USA, only 90 miles away.
  • Major exports from Cuba to the USA included sugar, cigars, and bananas.
  • In 1959, Fidel Castro overthrew General Batista, a pro-American dictator.
  • Post-revolution, Castro nationalized American-owned industries and banks.
  • The USA, aiming to remove Castro, cut off trade and refused to provide economic aid.
  • On April 1961, President Kennedy approved the failed Bay of Pigs invasion using 1,500 anti-Castro exiles.
  • Castro declared himself a Communist in 1961, aggravating US fears of communism spreading to its borders.

Background: Relationship between Cuba and the USSR (1960-1962)

  • During 1960-1962, Cuba's relationship with the USSR strengthened due to US hostility.
  • By 1962, over 80% of Cuba's trade involved the USSR and Eastern Europe, receiving credit and machinery in exchange for sugar and tobacco.
  • After the Bay of Pigs fiasco, Castro sought military assistance from the USSR, leading to the deployment of over 40,000 Russian soldiers and equipment to Cuba in summer 1962.
  • Secretly, the USSR sent 43 nuclear missiles to Cuba, establishing bases that posed a strategic threat to the USA.
  • The USSR needed a foothold in the USA's sphere of influence to catch up in the arms race, given that the USA had missiles in Turkey.

Causes of the Cuban Missile Crisis

  • Cuban Revolution (1959): Castro's rise to power and subsequent social reforms upset US economic interests.
  • Cuba turns to the USSR: Castro's nationalization of industries led to reduced US trade and increased reliance on the USSR for economic and military support.
  • Bay of Pigs Failure: The failed invasion in April 1961 drove Castro closer to the USSR, prompting military assistance from Khrushchev.
  • Missile Discovery (1962): US intelligence discovered Soviet missiles in Cuba in October 1962, prompting urgent action from Kennedy.

Events of the Cuban Missile Crisis

  • October 16, 1962: Kennedy forms EXCOMM for crisis management amidst military pressure for invasion.
  • October 22, 1962: Kennedy announces a naval blockade of Cuba.
  • October 23: Khrushchev states he will ignore the blockade, claiming missiles are for protection.
  • October 24: Soviet ships are ordered to defy the blockade.
  • October 25: Some Soviet ships turn back without confrontation; one oil tanker reaches Cuba.
  • October 26: Khrushchev offers to remove missiles in exchange for US non-invasion promise.
  • October 27: A second letter from Khrushchev demands US missiles be removed from Turkey; a U2 spy plane is shot down.
  • October 28: Khrushchev accepts Kennedy's terms and the crisis ends; US agrees to secret missile removal from Turkey.
  • November 20, 1962: Soviet bombers depart Cuba, and US blockade is lifted.

Consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis

  • Recognition of nuclear war risks increased communications (e.g., the Hot Line) between superpowers.
  • The Cuban Missile Crisis instigated arms control efforts: the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1963) and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (1969).
  • Khrushchev's leadership suffered; he was ousted in October 1964, partially due to his role in the crisis.
  • The resolution of the crisis prevented similar confrontations in the future, initiating a period of détente.

Who 'Won' the Cuban Missile Crisis?

  • USSR's Perspective:

    • Castro remained in power as a communist ally.
    • Stopped US invasion efforts and gained a strategic advantage.
    • Propaganda portrayed Khrushchev as a peacemaker.
  • USA's Perspective:

    • Kennedy gained stature as a leader who confronted USSR effectively.
    • The perceived Soviet retreat reinforced US strength, especially since missile removals from Turkey remained secret.
    • JFK maintained a cool composure throughout the crisis despite provocations.
    • Khrushchev's eventual ousting was influenced by the crisis' failings, marking a significant shift in Soviet leadership dynamics.

Summary

  • The Cuban Missile Crisis was a pivotal moment in the Cold War, demonstrating the importance of diplomacy in avoiding nuclear conflict and reshaping the future relations between the USA and USSR.