JFK, Cuba, and the Cold War

JFK, Cuba, and the Cold War

John F. Kennedy's Presidency (1961-1963)

  • Election and Image:

    • Elected in 1960 against Richard Nixon.
    • Televised debates played a key role; JFK appealed more to younger, TV-watching voters due to his idealism and appearance.
    • Famous inaugural address: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

  • Personal Life and Public Perception:

    • First (and only) Catholic president, raising concerns about loyalty to the Pope.
    • Wealthy, well-known family from Massachusetts.
    • To address concerns, Kennedy publicly shook hands with the Pope instead of kissing his ring.
    • Celebrity status and alleged affairs, including one with Marilyn Monroe.
    • Youngest elected president at 43; contributed to his "cool" image.

  • Domestic Policy:

    • Cautious on social issues, particularly civil rights, due to concerns about backlash.
    • Pushed for minimum wage legislation and expansion of Social Security.

  • Economic Policy:

    • Implemented steep tax cuts to stimulate the economy (a concept later adopted by fiscally conservative Republicans).
    • Argued tax cuts would lead to increased spending, job creation, and higher tax revenues.

  • Cold War Strategies:

    • Increased defense spending significantly.
    • Created the Peace Corps to win "hearts and minds" in developing nations.
    • Initiated the Alliance for Progress: a 10-year plan to reverse poverty and stimulate economies in Latin America to counter left-wing movements.
    • Re-emphasized the Good Neighbor Policy, particularly targeting Guatemala as an apology for the 1954 CIA-led coup. However, Latin America remained wary due to past interventions.
    • Policy of “flexible response”: expanding conventional forces for preparedness to deter wars globally.

  • Berlin Wall:

    • The Berlin Wall was constructed during his presidency, symbolizing the Iron Curtain.
    • In 1963, Kennedy reassured West Berliners of US support.

  • Space Race:

    • Increased funding for NASA, framing it as part of the Cold War competition.
    • Famous speech at Rice University (09/12/1962) committing the US to landing a man on the moon by the end of the decade.
    • Soviets launched Sputnik (1957) and sent Yuri Gagarin into space (04/12/1961) first.
    • US sent Alan Shepard into space shortly after (05/05/1961) and John Glenn to orbit the earth in February 1962.
    • Apollo 11 mission (launched 07/16/1969) led by Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins landed on the moon (07/20/1969).
    • Armstrong's famous words: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

Cuba and the Cold War

  • Background:

    • After the Spanish-American War, the US maintained a presence in Cuba, including Guantanamo Bay along with the Platt Amendment providing continuous interventions.
    • US owned significant portions of Cuban mining (90%) and sugar (40%).
    • Fulgencio Batista, a US-friendly leader, preceded the Cuban Revolution.

  • Cuban Revolution:

    • Led by Fidel Castro, driven by resentment of US influence and Marxist ideologies.
    • Che Guevara, an Argentinian revolutionary, joined Castro after witnessing poverty and US-backed coups in Latin America.
    • Castro's forces overthrew Batista on New Year's Day, 1959.
    • Castro nationalized Cuban resources, leading to a US embargo.
    • Castro nationalized over a million acres of land from three U.S. companies, including the United Fruit Company.

  • Castro's International Relations:

    • Castro stayed in Harlem during a UN visit in 1960, showing solidarity with the socioeconomically disadvantaged.
    • Met with Malcolm X.
    • Denied aid from the IMF which was effectively controlled by the US.
    • Sought financial assistance from the Soviet Union, developing a relationship with Khrushchev.

  • Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961):

    • Eisenhower authorized the CIA to train Cuban exiles in Guatemala to overthrow Castro.
    • Kennedy approved the plan, especially after Khrushchev announced Soviet support for wars of national liberation.
    • The plan involved aerial strikes, parachute drops, and a coastal assault, all disguised as Cuban efforts.
    • The operation failed due to missed targets, exposure of American involvement, and lack of air support after Kennedy canceled the second airstrike.
    • Castro's forces captured or killed the invading exiles.
    • Kennedy admitted fault, gaining some public admiration for his honesty.

  • Operation Mongoose:

    • CIA program to destabilize Cuba, including attempts to discredit Castro.

  • Cuban Missile Crisis (1962):

    • U-2 spy planes spotted Soviet intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in Cuba.
    • ICBMs posed a direct threat because they could reach major US cities.
    • Kennedy considered options:
      • Bombing the sites (dismissed due to potential Soviet retaliation).
      • Involving the UN (dismissed due to Soviet veto power).
      • A blockade to prevent further missile deliveries.

  • Resolution:

    • Kennedy chose the blockade, leading to a tense standoff with Soviet ships.
    • Cuban forces shot down a US reconnaissance plane, increasing tensions.
    • Khrushchev agreed to remove missiles if the US pledged not to invade Cuba removed missiles from Turkey.
    • The "red phone" (Washington-Moscow hotline) was established to prevent future crises.

  • Aftermath

    • The Cuban Missile Crisis led to a period of detente
    • In August 1963, the Soviet Union and the Americans agreed to begin limiting testing on nuclear weapons
    • During this time, it felt like every minute a missile might be sent with a potential nuclear warhead