Cuban Confrontations!
Info: Social & Political Tensions were rising with fear and resentment between Latin America and the United States. Kennedy extended the Latin American Marshall Plan equivalent , known as the Alliance for progress. The American handouts aimed to dull the communist wave coming over Latin America, however did little to positively impact Latin America’s immense social problems
Info: Militaristic & Political The Eisenhower administration and CIA sought to topple Castro’s power by invading Cuba with anticommunist exiles. Some 1,200 were exiles to Cuba’s “Bay of Pigs”. This invasion led to Cuban attacks, and an American failure, which Kennedy took full responsibility for. This attempt further pushed Cuba into the arms of the USSR. American spy planes soon revealed that the USSR was installing nuclear tipped missiles into Cuba, planning American blackmail to surrender in Berlin.
Info: Social Kennedy and Khrushchev then moved into a game of “nuclear chicken”. Kennedy ordered a naval quarantine on Cuba and demaded the immediate removal of USSR missiles in Cuba. he warned that should the USSR/Cuba attack, there would be nuclear retaliation in Russia. After weeks of tension, Khrushchev flinched, agreeing to a compromise in which he would pull missiles from Cuba in return for an end on the quarantine and an American promise not to invade Cuba. America also removed some of its missiles from Turkey. Khrushchev was shunned by Russian society and the nuclear race was catalyzed.
Origin: Drawn in 1963 by Gib Crockett for the Washington Star Content: The political cartoon illustrates how the failure of the Bay of Pigs would continue to haunt the Kennedy Administration, curbing Kennedy’s idealism. Purpose: The purpose of this was to reveal how Kennedy formulated modern foreign policy of positive nation building while still taking a firm stance when necessary. Value: Because it comes from a reputable source and is a primary source, it encompasses the emotions and information accurately that occured at the time of the event. Limitation: This political cartoon is limited because it fails to address the situation from multiple perspectives, and reveals only the effects of the situation from the American point of view in order to remain relevant.
Origin: Drawn in 1961 by “Etam” in America Content: The political cartoon illustrates how though a tiny power, cuba posed a worthy threat. With Khrushchev in the background, it is revealed that the USSR was truly pulling the strings in this situation. Purpose: The purpose of this was to reveal how America was beginning to feel a large threat from Cuba Value: Because it comes from a reputable source and is a primary source, it encompasses the emotions and information accurately that occured at the time of the event from three different sides of the story. Limitation: This political cartoon is limited because it fails to address the fact that America had missiles of its own and was not a sheepish force.
Origin: Drawn in 1963 by Richard Q Yardley for the Baltimore Sun Content: The political cartoon illustrates Cuba being upset with with the larger governments controlling the tense situation at hand. Purpose: The purpose of this was to reveal how the lack of communication between the USSR and Cuba, increasing tension. Value: Because it comes from a reputable source and is a primary source, it encompasses the emotions and information accurately that occured at the time of the event. Limitation: This political cartoon is limited because it fails to address the situation from the American point of view, becoming less relevant to the personal lives of American citizens, possiby creating a lack of interest.
Essential Questions Evaluate the Bay of Pigs as a strategy for anti communist movement. Discuss how the USSR and America moved into a game of nuclear chicken.