USA's Response to the Cuban Revolution

USA's Response to the Cuban Revolution

1. Influence

   • Influenced Cuban people with propaganda to discredit Castro

2. Invade

   • Bay of Pigs - April 1961 exiles landed at Bay of Pigs, Met by 20,000 armed cuban troops, Invasion failed
   • Castro captured or killed all exiles that invaded within days

3. Destabilise

   • CIA looked at disrupting Cuban economy by damaging Sugar plantations
     • USA refused to buy Cuban's main export, Sugar cane.
   • Plans to assassinate Castro were under way

4. Disrupt

   • American companies in Cuba refused to co-operate with any Cuban businesses, which used oil or other materials imported from the USSR
   • January 1961, President JFK broke diplomatic relations with Cuba. No longer prepared to have a soviet satellite in their sphere of influence

5. Discredit

   • American media broadcast a relentless stream of criticism of Castro and his regime on TV

6. Pressurise

   • Made Cuba think US was going to invade until after Bay of Pigs
   • Castro and Khrushchev became suspicious of US policy

7. Ignore

   • After half hearted attempt at bay of pigs, clear that US was unwilling to get directly involved in Cuba
     • encouraged spread of communism

8. Send aid

   • Rather then direct invasion, JFK supplied arms, equipment & transport for 1,400 anti-castor exiles to invade Cuba and overthrow him
   • CIA provided support and funds to Cuban exiles in attempt to overthrow Castro