The Cuban Missile Crisis US History II 1959

The Cuban Missile Crisis US History II

1959 - Fidel Castro Takes Power • Led Cuban Revolution with promise of democracy • 90 miles off coast of Florida & Batista fled in exile to Florida

Soviet Influence • Castro openly declared to be a communist • Castro regime received Soviet Aid and nationalized (takes over)US companies • The US cut off relations

April 1961 – Bay of Pigs Invasion • Failed US invasion of Cuba • Cuban exiles trained by CIA attempt to overthrow Castro • 1, 500 exiles are met by 25, 000 Cubans • Soviet tanks and air support • JFK and US embarrassed

Kennedy’s Flexible Response • Developed alternatives to nuclear war • Defense spending increased: – – 1940: 18% 1950: 32% 1960: 52% 2000: 16% • Green Berets created

Soviet Influence in Cuba • Economic aid MRBM’s • Nuclear weapons • MRBM – Medium Range Ballistic Missiles

Cuban Missile Crisis Soviet missiles in Cuba Khrushchev vs. Kennedy US presents evidence to UN

Thirteen Days • On the brink of Nuclear War

Results US decided to “Quarantine” Cuba Soviets turn home “We were eyeball to eyeball and the other fellow just blinked. ” USSR removes missiles from Cuba USA removed missiles in Turkey 6 months later.

Kennedy Address http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=W 50 RNAbm y 3 M&feature=related UN Security Council http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=c 96 Rr_Aixf k John Paul Jones http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=BYRCTHj 7 k 8 Y&feature=related