From Cold War to Detente 1962-1981 - Cuban crisis and international relations.

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Unit 2-From Cold War to Detente 1962-1981

  • Why was there a crisis over Cuba?

Cuba was part of America’s ‘own backyard’ therefore it was up to them to protect it. The Cuban Constitution gave the USA rights of intervention and required Cuba to provide land for naval bases – hence the US base at Guantanamo Bay. USA had huge influence over the state, with Fulgencio Batista being the pro-American military dictator in Cuba. Fidel Castro organised a guerrilla campaign against the regime of Batista and Castro gained supporters. January 1959 Batista’s rule collapsed and Castro rode on into the capital city and took over. Castro aimed to maintain his own authority, Cuba’s independence and avoid alienating the powerful internal and external allies. Therefore the crisis over Cuba was that they wanted to be an independent state (communist) and the USA saw this as a threat to democracy as Cuba was so close to America. The Soviet first deputy visited Castro in Cuba and 1960 and arranged $100 million in credits with Castro, therefore creating an economic and political tie between Cuba and the Soviet Union.

  • How did the US respond to events in Cuba?

America immediately imposed economic sanctions on Cuba and reduced their imports of Cuban sugar by 95%. This downward spiral in US-Cuban relations continued when Castro seized $1 billion of US assets on Cuba in Oct 1960. Bay of Pigs invasion by the US, planned by Eisenhower and carried out by Kennedy. Plan was to enable 1500 anti-Castro exiles to land on Cuba and carry out military coup to remove him. This attack failed, however it brought to light the fears about the USA’s intentions for Cuba. Operation Mongoose created by Kennedy ‘to help Cuba overthrow the Communist regime’, the plan was to use military force and covert operations within Cuba to destabilise the regime and facilitate an anti-Castro revolt. Prospects for success were slim and Kennedy’s military advisers developed an air strike plan known as OPLAN 312 and a land-based invasion known as OPLAN 314. March 1962 the USA undertook one of the largest military manoeuvres in its history. Operation Quick Kick, show of American military might which made Cuba conclude they would only stand for a week against an attack. Led to Khrushchev deploying Soviet nuclear missiles on Cuba in 1962.

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  • How did the crisis develop and how was it ‘resolved’?

The Soviets put nuclear missiles on Cuba, and understandably the USA did not like this as it was so close to their Country and therefore posed a big threat to them. Kennedy overreacted and his actions risked nuclear war. In the developing stages Kennedy was naive and believed that Khrushchev would not deploy missiles on Cuba. Kennedy dealt with problems as they arose instead of anticipating them. No clear evidence to show that Khrushchev knew how Kennedy would react to the deployment of missiles on Cuba. 14th October a U-2 spy ...

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