JFK AND THE COLD WAR

Election of 1960 Nixon vs. Kennedy Nixon vs. Kennedy Television Debates Television Debates Kennedy barely wins Kennedy barely wins youngest elected president and the first president to be Roman Catholic. youngest elected president and the first president to be Roman Catholic.

Peace Corps MARCH 1, 1961: Signs a bill creating the Peace Corps MARCH 1, 1961: Signs a bill creating the Peace Corps “Ugly American” and “Yankee Imperialism” “Ugly American” and “Yankee Imperialism”

Alliance for Progress US Aid to Latin America US Aid to Latin America

JFK and Cuba

Bay of Pigs Fiasco Background Background Fidel Castro/Fulgencio Batista Fidel Castro/Fulgencio Batista APRIL 17, 1961: The Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. Kennedy supports the invasion to oust that country's Communist leader, Fidel Castro, but the invasion fails. Kennedy is heavily criticized. APRIL 17, 1961: The Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. Kennedy supports the invasion to oust that country's Communist leader, Fidel Castro, but the invasion fails. Kennedy is heavily criticized.

JUNE 3-4, 1961: JUNE 3-4, 1961: Meets with Nikita Khrushchev in Vienna on international issues. Meets with Nikita Khrushchev in Vienna on international issues. The focus of the meeting is disarmament, Germany, Laos and nuclear testing. The focus of the meeting is disarmament, Germany, Laos and nuclear testing. They fail to agree on certain problems but issue a joint statement that they agrees to "maintain contact on all questions of interest to the two countries and for the whole world." They fail to agree on certain problems but issue a joint statement that they agrees to "maintain contact on all questions of interest to the two countries and for the whole world." After this meeting, the Soviets build a wall between East and West Berlin during the summer. After this meeting, the Soviets build a wall between East and West Berlin during the summer.

Cuban Missile Crisis 13 days in October

Lesson overview What was the background to the events in Cuba? What was the background to the events in Cuba? How successful were early attempts at ‘containment’? How successful were early attempts at ‘containment’? Why was the USSR interested in helping Cuba? Why was the USSR interested in helping Cuba? What happened during the October Crisis? What happened during the October Crisis? What was the outcome of the crisis? What was the outcome of the crisis?

What was the background to the events in Cuba? Cuba, small island, 160 km from coast of Florida Cuba, small island, 160 km from coast of Florida US ally, US businesses & US military base (Guantanamo) US ally, US businesses & US military base (Guantanamo) 1959, Fidel Castro overthrows Battista (US-backed dictator), establishing Communist government. 1959, Fidel Castro overthrows Battista (US-backed dictator), establishing Communist government. Why was Cuba so important to the Americans?

How successful were early attempts at ‘containment’? Castro takes over US businesses January 1961, US breaks off diplomatic relations April, 1961, Bay of Pigs – 1,400 anti-Cuban exiles attempted to overthrow Castro Autumn 1962, Cuba has received 1000s of USSR missiles, jets, boats & personnel The US committed $100 million to overthrowing Castro, the CIA tried to sabotage the economy, they even planned to send him an exploding cigar! Why did they go to such lengths after April 1961?

Why was the USSR interested in helping Cuba? Cuba was a new Communist state Cuba was a new Communist state Cuba provided a launch base for USSR inter-continental missiles (ICMs) Cuba provided a launch base for USSR inter-continental missiles (ICMs) Khrushchev wanted to test strength of new US president, JFK Khrushchev wanted to test strength of new US president, JFK Khrushchev wanted to force JFK into bargaining over US missile in Europe Khrushchev wanted to force JFK into bargaining over US missile in Europe Why does this cartoonist think that Khrushchev was interested in Cuba?

What happened during the October Crisis? 14 October 1962, US U2 spy plane takes photos of suspected USSR missile sites on Cuba Sites nearing completion, experts believe they could be ready in 7 days US spy planes identify 20 Soviet ships bound for Cuba carrying missiles Why have some modern historians questioned the accuracy of these spy plane pictures?

Castro’s Role No real role in decision making No real role in decision making Apparently out of touch with the situation Apparently out of touch with the situation Oct. 26: “Aggression imminent/imperialists disregarding world opinion”— Clearly not the case Oct. 26: “Aggression imminent/imperialists disregarding world opinion”— Clearly not the case Khrushchev plays along to some extent but it is clear he disagrees with him (“your suggestion would have started a thermonuclear world war”) Khrushchev plays along to some extent but it is clear he disagrees with him (“your suggestion would have started a thermonuclear world war”)

What happened during the October Crisis? 20 October, Kennedy decides to blockade Cuba 20 October, Kennedy decides to blockade Cuba 22 October, Kennedy publicly calls on Khrushchev to remove weapons 22 October, Kennedy publicly calls on Khrushchev to remove weapons

What happened during the October Crisis? 23 October Khrushchev refuses to acknowledge blockade or presence of Soviet missiles on Cuba 24 October, 1 st Soviet ships (accompanied by submarine) approach 800 km exclusion zone

What happened during the October Crisis? 24 October, 10:32 am, Soviet ships stop and turn round 24 October, 10:32 am, Soviet ships stop and turn round 25 October, aerial photos show continued construction of missile sites 25 October, aerial photos show continued construction of missile sites 26 October, Kennedy receives another letter offering to negotiate over missiles in Cuba with removal of blockade and US invasion threat 26 October, Kennedy receives another letter offering to negotiate over missiles in Cuba with removal of blockade and US invasion threat 27 October, Kennedy receives second letter calling for withdrawal of US missiles in Turkey too 27 October, Kennedy receives second letter calling for withdrawal of US missiles in Turkey too

The American Decision In September Kennedy had stated and Congress had passed a resolution saying that if the Soviet Union placed offensive weapons in Cuba we would not tolerate it. In September Kennedy had stated and Congress had passed a resolution saying that if the Soviet Union placed offensive weapons in Cuba we would not tolerate it. Could we then rely solely on diplomacy? The Kennedys thought the President could be “impeached” if he didn’t act in accordance with his prior warnings Could we then rely solely on diplomacy? The Kennedys thought the President could be “impeached” if he didn’t act in accordance with his prior warnings Determined in first 48 hours of crisis that the removal of missiles was the primary objective Determined in first 48 hours of crisis that the removal of missiles was the primary objective This objective effectively ruled out isolated diplomacy, and left two options… This objective effectively ruled out isolated diplomacy, and left two options…

What happened during the October Crisis? 27 October, US U2 plane shot down over Cuba & pilot killed. Kennedy decides to ignore second letter, but accepts terms of 1 st letter 27 October, US U2 plane shot down over Cuba & pilot killed. Kennedy decides to ignore second letter, but accepts terms of 1 st letter 28 October, Khrushchev agrees to dismantle Soviet missiles in Cuba 28 October, Khrushchev agrees to dismantle Soviet missiles in Cuba What is this cartoonist trying to say about the difficulties facing Kennedy during the Crisis?

What was the outcome of the crisis? Cuba remained Communist & heavily armed (without nuclear missiles) Cuba remained Communist & heavily armed (without nuclear missiles) Both leaders didn’t lose face and came away with concessions Both leaders didn’t lose face and came away with concessions Helped renew the thaw – world saw the futility of MAD Helped renew the thaw – world saw the futility of MAD Permanent hotline between White House & Kremlin set up Permanent hotline between White House & Kremlin set up Supported theory of containment & co-existence because alternatives unimaginable Supported theory of containment & co-existence because alternatives unimaginable Nuclear test ban treaty Nuclear test ban treaty

Assassination November 22,1963 November 22,1963