The Cuban Missile Crisis US History II
1959 - Fidel Castro Takes Power Led Cuban Revolution with promise of democracy 90 miles off coast of Florida & Batista fled in exile to Florida
Soviet Influence Castro openly declared to be a communist Castro regime received Soviet Aid and nationalized (takes over)US companies The US cut off relations
April 1961 – Bay of Pigs Invasion Failed US invasion of Cuba Cuban exiles trained by CIA attempt to overthrow Castro 1,500 exiles are met by 25,000 Cubans Soviet tanks and air support JFK and US embarrassed
Kennedy’s Flexible Response Developed alternatives to nuclear war Defense spending increased: 1940: 18% 1950: 32% 1960: 52% 2000: 16% Green Berets created
Soviet Influence in Cuba Economic aid MRBM’s Nuclear weapons MRBM – Medium Range Ballistic Missiles
Cuban Missile Crisis Soviet missiles in Cuba Khrushchev vs. Kennedy US presents evidence to UN
Thirteen Days On the brink of Nuclear War
Results US decided to “Quarantine” Cuba Soviets turn home “We were eyeball to eyeball and the other fellow just blinked.” USSR removes missiles from Cuba USA removed missiles in Turkey 6 months later.
Kennedy Address http://www. youtube. com/watch Kennedy Address http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W50RNAbmy3M&feature=related UN Security Council http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c96Rr_Aixfk John Paul Jones http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYRCTHj7k8Y&feature=related