The Cuban Missile Crisis October 1962 Read your book: pg

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?

US – Cuban relations in the 60s 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 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 was launch base for USSR inter-continental (ballistic) missiles (ICMs or ICBMs) Cuba was launch base for USSR inter-continental (ballistic) missiles (ICMs or ICBMs) 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 missiles in Europe Khrushchev wanted to force JFK into bargaining over US missiles in Europe Why does this cartoonist think that Khrushchev was interested in Cuba?

13 dangerous days 14 October 1962, US U2 spy plane takes photos of suspected USSR missile sites on Cuba US spy planes identify 20 Soviet ships bound for Cuba carrying missiles… the most dangerous 13 days in History start (16 Oct, 1962 – 28 th of October 1962)

What happened? (in short) In the summer of 1962, the Soviet Union dispatched a fleet of commercial cargo ships filled with nuclear missiles, launchers and anti-aircraft guns--all under false manifests--across the Atlantic Ocean to Fidel Castro's Cuba. In the summer of 1962, the Soviet Union dispatched a fleet of commercial cargo ships filled with nuclear missiles, launchers and anti-aircraft guns--all under false manifests--across the Atlantic Ocean to Fidel Castro's Cuba. Forty thousand Soviet soldiers and technicians began clandestinely erecting an extensive array of armed missile sites, and aiming their nuclear-tipped medium range ballistic missiles at the United States. Forty thousand Soviet soldiers and technicians began clandestinely erecting an extensive array of armed missile sites, and aiming their nuclear-tipped medium range ballistic missiles at the United States.

What happened? (in short) Nikita Khruschev and his key military advisors thought that the missiles would remain unnoticed until November, and then he planned to suddenly reveal them to the United States as a fait accompli. They were nearly successful. Nikita Khruschev and his key military advisors thought that the missiles would remain unnoticed until November, and then he planned to suddenly reveal them to the United States as a fait accompli. They were nearly successful. But in mid-October, with the Soviet tankers still enroute, American U-2 spy planes and CIA photo analysts detected several Medium Range Ballistic Missiles (MRBMs) on Cuban soil, their sites still under construction. But in mid-October, with the Soviet tankers still enroute, American U-2 spy planes and CIA photo analysts detected several Medium Range Ballistic Missiles (MRBMs) on Cuban soil, their sites still under construction.

What happened? (in short) In the weeks that followed, the US government decided to do all they could to ensure the removal of the missiles. In the weeks that followed, the US government decided to do all they could to ensure the removal of the missiles. Never before in history has the world come closer to a general nuclear war. Never before in history has the world come closer to a general nuclear war. Homework this week: Read page 271 – 279. Homework this week: Read page 271 – 279. See page 275 – 278 for a day by day account of the crisis. See page 275 – 278 for a day by day account of the crisis.

US Missiles in Turkey

USSR missiles in Cuba

Missile sites in Cuba in 60s

Movies: 13 days + The Fog of War

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 (détente) – world saw the futility of MAD Helped renew the thaw (détente) – 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

Original footage of Kennedy TV announcement Original footage of Kennedy TV announcement

MSN Messenger in History - The Cuban Missile Crisis “What if JFK and Khrushchev had negotiated via MSN Messenger? Thirteen Days becomes Four Minutes. And also, there are more laughs. “What if JFK and Khrushchev had negotiated via MSN Messenger? Thirteen Days becomes Four Minutes. And also, there are more laughs