Cuban Missile Crisis

Co existance
1. Stalin died in 1953
  1. New leader Khrushkev eased tensions and focused on co existence
    1. USSR and USA met in 1955 and 1960 and were talking
      1. But, Berlin wall was built and Hungarians were massacred in uprising
U2 Crisis
1. 1950, Truman shut down spying missions. They violated USSR air space
  1. They resumed in 1956 with new U2 planes. Too high to be shot down and were hi-tech
    1. Soviet missiles improved and shot down plane in 1960
      1. USA eventually admitted he was spying, but swapped him for soviet prisoner in 1962
        Downturn in Relations
October 1962
1. USA discovered nuclear missile sites built by USSR.
  1. 20 soviet ships were also on their way with missiles
2. Options for JFK
  1. Air Attack
  2. Do nothing
  3. Invasion
  4. Diplomatic Pressures
  5. Blockade
    1. The only option that showed the US was serious without causing a war.
      1. Soviet ships approach the blockade zone, but turn round at the last minute
        The USSR eventually gives in and dismantles the weapons
Background
1. Communist Fidel Castro overthrew American backed Dictator Batista
  1. USA broke of relations and stopped trade. Cuba went to USSR for help
    1. Bay of Pigs invasion in April 1961 was supplied by USA. Massive failure.
Outcome
1. Cuba stayed communist and armed but missiles were withdrawn
  1. Kennedy was given improved reputation
    1. Helped thaw cold war tensions
      1. Changed anti communist opinions about direct takeover

Resource summary

	Created by Scott Stephens about 11 years ago