Were contemporaries correct in regarding Kennedy as the saviour of the western world after the Cuban missile crises?
Were contemporaries correct in regarding Kennedy as the saviour of the western world after the Cuban missile crises?
In 1959, Fidel Castro and Cuban rebels, overpowered the Cuban president Fulgencio Batista. Russians thought Batista was a corrupt and violent dictator. They thought that America exploited the Cubans, by owning the best land, and the biggest industries. America did not involve Cuba in their decision-making. Castro then took over, and wanted to end America's exploitation of Cuba. He wanted a fair society, which, meant that he had communist ideas. When the Cuban people, found out that Castro had taken over, they stormed into the street to celebrate. However, in some places violence broke out. America was shocked and confused, as it happened so suddenly, and they were not expecting it. Castro and his rebel remained cautious until they could be sure that Batista's own men accepted the change of leadership.
Batista had been supported by America for many years, before Castro took over. America did not like Castro, because he was a Marxist. Because of this, America would not give Castro any money or buy any sugar from Cuba.
Russia then came to Cuba's aid and said they would buy the sugar from them. Castro was very grateful for this and they soon became friends. Castro did not plan to become communist. He made a speech, to the American Society of Newspaper Editors, saying that he was not communist and he had a great applause, from everyone listening. He seemed to have impressed them. He also promised, that he would uphold the agreement, which, grants the US, to hold a naval base, at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, and to maintain their membership in a mutual defense treaty with the US. He was lying. He had turned Cuba into a communist country. This frightened America. Fidel Castro was in complete control, and he came from nowhere.
Batista and Cuban exiles were very annoyed about the revolution and about Batista being thrown out. They turned to America. Kennedy, the new American president, was told he had to back up the Cubans. The plan was for the Cuban exiles to attack Cuba by sea and land and the Americans would cover them in the air. This was known as the Bay of Pigs. It was a fiasco as Cuba found out about the attack and was waiting for them when they arrived. Most of the exiles were killed instantly. When America heard what had happened they ...
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Batista and Cuban exiles were very annoyed about the revolution and about Batista being thrown out. They turned to America. Kennedy, the new American president, was told he had to back up the Cubans. The plan was for the Cuban exiles to attack Cuba by sea and land and the Americans would cover them in the air. This was known as the Bay of Pigs. It was a fiasco as Cuba found out about the attack and was waiting for them when they arrived. Most of the exiles were killed instantly. When America heard what had happened they failed to give the necessary support. The Bay of Pigs was a complete fiasco and many Cuban exiles felt betrayed by Kennedy
Kennedy knew deep down that the Bay of Pigs attempt, was a bad idea, but he was determined to make America look strong, and defend other countries against communism.
Because of the Bay of Pigs fiasco, Castro became even more anti-American. Khrushchev promised to support Cuba, if the attacks on them continued. He placed nuclear missiles on Cuba facing America. Cuba believed he did this to protect them, when really he did it to gain nuclear equality as America had missiles on Turkey.
As soon as Castro agreed, that the Soviet Union could build missile sites, the work began. The missiles on Cuba were a serious threat to America as Cuba was just ninety miles off the American coast. The missiles could destroy most of American cities.
President Kennedy was shown a photograph, of the missile sites. He spoke on television about the missiles and said that the Russians had lied to them, and if they attacked, it would be treated as an act of war, from the Soviet Union, and not Cuba. This shows he would not tolerate the missiles as he thought they were a threat to world peace. He regarded himself as leader of the free world and his duty was to protect democracy at all costs.
Some of the American government wanted to go to war with Russia for this and thought it was the only way to stop the missiles being put on Cuba. Kennedy however, ignored their ideas and put up a blockade around Cuba rather than attack straight away. This decision undoubtedly saved the world. This was one of Kennedy's few good ideas, but Robert Kennedy, the president's brother, should also be credited, as it was his decision. Although this was a good action taken by Kennedy, the Bay of Pigs disaster, was a very bad step taken by him, and might have actually started the crises in the first place
There is a possibility that Kennedy had misjudged the situation. He may have over reacted. Khrushchev may have been testing Kennedy's courage, as he believed Kennedy was young and inexperienced, maybe he was 'trying out' the new President to see how far he could go, and what he could get away with. Khrushchev always said that the missiles were never intended to be a threat, it was all to with nuclear equality. The whole episode was about brinkmanship, who would be pressured out of the game. First, Kennedy gave Khrushchev an ultimatum - to remove all missiles from Cuba or face the consequences.
It was Khrushchev who stopped work on the missile sites. In response to Khrushchev's letter, offering to remove all the weapons and take them back to the Soviet Union, but Kennedy had to agree not to invade Cuba and end the blockade around the island. Kennedy then received another letter the next day, saying that if America, removed the nuclear missiles off Turkey, then Russia would remove the missiles on Cuba, but America ignored this letter, and agreed to the first. Khrushchev did have a point about removing the missiles from Turkey, because it was right next to Russia. American boats escorted the Russian boats back to Russia with the missiles on. The most serious part of the Cold War, the missile crisis was over. The whole world heaved a sigh of relief. After two months, there was no trace of any missiles on Cuba.
I think the image of Kennedy being the saviour of the western world is an unfair interpretation. I think that both Khrushchev and Kennedy played their part in avoiding nuclear war. Kennedy had made many mistakes during the time he was President, the Bay of Pigs in particular. He could have stopped the plans to overthrow Castro, but they were underway before he became President. It ruined the reputation that he wanted for himself. He wanted to be a good President, so people would like him, as he was the youngest American President in the history of the world. I think if America had stayed calm about the Cuban revolution and if Eisenhower had treated Castro better, Castro would not have become communist. America's refusal to buy anything from Cuba, forced Castro into the hands of Khrushcev. America should have treated Castro, as they treated Batista. Russia did not like Batista, as they thought he was a violent dictator.
I think, Khrushchev played a major role in saving the world, because he agreed to dismantle and remove all offensive weapons off Cuba and return them back to the Soviet Union. Even though, Kennedy did not agree to Khrushchev's second request, (to remove the missiles off Turkey) they still came to an agreement over Cuba, which ended the threat to world peace. Khrushchev was portrayed as the villain in the Cuban missile crises as he was responsible for putting the missiles there in the first place.
It is not surprising then, that American contemporaries believed that Kennedy was the saviour of the western world as it looked like Kennedy had won the battle with Khrushchev at very little cost. However, later evidence shows that America did not come out of the crises as well as it looked. Behind closed doors, negotiations for the removal of missiles from Turkey were sanctioned. What had America really won? Cuba was still communist and the missiles were no longer on Turkey. The only positive achievement was Kennedy's enhanced reputation, but more importantly, an improved relationship with the Russians, particularly with regards to communications, as a hotline was setup.
/3 Amy Blaney
