The Cold War - OverSimplified (Part 2)

Introduction

• The 1960s were marked by extreme cultural division, political assassinations, and the nuclear threat.

• Fidel Castro and Che Guevara's collaboration to overthrow the Cuban government.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

• Cuba was previously a leisure destination for Americans; the establishment of a communist regime raised U.S. concerns.

• The U.S. supported Cuban exiles to invade Cuba, but President Kennedy scaled back air support to hide U.S. involvement.

• Resulted in the humiliating defeat of the Bay of Pigs Invasion.

Cuban Missile Crisis

Context

• Fidel Castro's alliance with the Soviet Union led to the placement of Soviet missiles in Cuba.

U.S. Discovery

• On October 14, 1962, a U.S. spy plane discovered Soviet missiles in Cuba, triggering a national emergency.

U.S. Response

• Kennedy chose to impose a naval blockade (quarantine) rather than direct military action.

• Tensions escalated with both superpowers achieving high military readiness, with the U.S. at DEFCON 2.

Near Miss

• Incidents included the Soviets shooting down a U2 spy plane and a nuclear submarine almost launching a torpedo by mistake.

Resolution

• Khrushchev agreed to remove missiles from Cuba in exchange for the U.S. removing missiles from Turkey.

• This led to the Test Ban Treaty and a shift in leadership in the Soviet Union towards Leonid Brezhnev.

Continuing Arms Race

• The arms race persisted with technological advancements like Anti-Ballistic Missiles (ABMs) and Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs).

• The doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) emerged to prevent nuclear war, despite the ongoing tension.

Nuclear Accidents

• In 1966, four hydrogen bombs were lost in Spain after a mid-air collision.

• This incident highlighted the risks of nuclear weapons, with America having a history of losing nuclear bombs.

Vietnam War

Background

• North Vietnam, under communist leadership, began a guerilla campaign against the anti-communist South.

• U.S. involvement escalated under Johnson, fearing a domino effect of communism in Southeast Asia.

Military Action

• U.S. troops entered Vietnam in 1965, facing challenges against the Vietcong's guerilla tactics and thick jungles.

• Civilian casualties and the bombing campaign in North Vietnam became prominent issues.

Social and Political Changes

• The Vietnam War led to increasing anti-war sentiment in the U.S.

• The late 1960s saw the rise of countercultural movements, with slogans like "Make Love, Not War."

• Public disapproval of Johnson's Vietnam policies contributed to Richard Nixon's election.

The 1968 Election

• Nixon began troop withdrawals from Vietnam, ultimately ending U.S. involvement in 1973.

• South Vietnam fell in 1975.

Détente Era

Economic Pressures

• The Cold War strained both superpowers economically, with the Soviet Union facing shortages and military budget pressures.

• Both sides were eager for détente to reduce military spending and improve conditions.

Diplomatic Efforts

• Nixon's historic visit to Moscow in 1972 marked a significant step toward better U.S.-Soviet relations.