Lecture 2

US-Cuban Relations and the Bay of Pigs Invasion

• Monroe Document Violation: It was perceived as a violation of the Monroe Doctrine, discussed in earlier units.

• Castro's Role: Kennedy viewed Fidel Castro as a Soviet pawn who needed to be removed.

Operation Mongoose

• Overview: A covert operation initiated under Eisenhower and expanded by Kennedy to overthrow Castro's regime.

• Components: Included various efforts, with notable mention of CIA-trained Cuban exiles from Guatemala.

  • Bay of Pigs: The most significant mission to oust Castro through military action.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

• Event Overview:

  • Date: April 17, 1961

  • Situation: 1,400 Cuban exiles trained for the invasion, significantly underprepared.

• Kennedy's Conditions: Approved invasion with assurance of no US military involvement; sought to deny US's role in operation.

• Preparation Issues:

  • Castro was alerted and prepared defenses against the attack.

  • Cuban exiles mistakenly bombed Cuban air bases to gain air superiority, which failed.

  • Bay of Pigs terrain made logistics difficult for invaders.

• Outcome: Invasion failed miserably, resulting in over 1,000 invaders captured.

  • Castro ransoms prisoners for supplies a year later.

• Significance: Castro's survival made him a symbol of resistance against US interventions in Latin America.

Subsequent Cold War Tensions

• Berlin Crisis:

  • Post-World War II, Berlin was divided; US/Britain controlled West Berlin, while the Soviets controlled the East.

  • Khrushchev's aim: Formation of two separate German states; US insisted on free elections.

  • Tensions escalated; Kennedy's refusal to abandon Berlin led to increased military spending and preparations.

• Construction of the Berlin Wall: Started by Khrushchev in response to US actions; symbolized the division and Cold War tensions.

Cuban Missile Crisis

• Soviet Missile Placement: In 1962, the Soviets constructed missile sites in Cuba in response to US missile placements in Turkey.

• US Response:

  • Kennedy convened a committee to address the situation; decisions ranged from military action to naval blockade.

  • Settled on a naval blockade to prevent Soviet ships from bringing weapons to Cuba.

• Crisis Actions: Kennedy's dramatic televised speech announcing the blockade; public fear of nuclear war was palpable.

• End of the Crisis: After tense negotiations:

  • US agreed to remove missiles from Turkey in exchange for the Soviet withdrawal of missiles from Cuba.

  • A commitment not to invade Cuba was also established.

Kennedy's Domestic Policies and Assassination

• Vietnam War Involvement:

  • Increased military advisors and engagement in Vietnam, although initially favoring nationalist leader Ngo Dinh Diem.

• Diem's Assassination: Ordered by Kennedy due to political unrest; Diem was killed on November 2, 1963.

• Kennedy's Legacy:

  • By his assassination on November 22, 1963, he had over 16,000 troops in Vietnam.

  • Many believe he had a plan for Vietnam's future that was cut short.

Assassination of JFK

• Event: Occurred during a political trip to Texas, shot by Lee Harvey Oswald, who was killed two days later.

• Public Reaction: Widespread belief in conspiracy theories, despite the Warren Commission's conclusion that Oswald acted alone.

Cultural Impact of the 1960s

• Baby Boomers: Represented a significant cultural shift; dramatically influenced music and fashion.

  • Rise of rock and roll as a symbol of youth independence.

• Anti-establishment Sentiment: Movies and music reflected rising skepticism toward government and military, exemplified by works like "Dr. Strangelove."

• Sexual Revolution: Changing attitudes toward sexuality, highlighted by the widespread use of the birth control pill and liberalization of obscenity laws.

Drug Culture

• Timothy Leary's Influence: Promoted the use of LSD as a means to explore consciousness and challenge social norms.

  • Encouraged youth to think critically about their realities.

• Changing Perspectives: Evolving views on drugs and their role in youth culture, with marijuana becoming popular.