Communism in our Backyard The Bay of Pigs and The Cuban Missile Crisis

Cuba Before Castro General Fulgencio Batista is the dictator of Cuba General Fulgencio Batista is the dictator of Cuba. During this time America owns During this time America owns –75% of Cuba’s farm land (sugar plantations). –Several oil refineries in Cuba. Havana is the hot vacation destination for Americans. Havana is the hot vacation destination for Americans.

Castro’s Rise to Power Castro leads a Guerilla Movement Castro leads a Guerilla Movement. –with the help of Ernesto “Che” Guevara. Not yet known to be a communist, Castro promises freedom from economic oppression and dictatorship. Not yet known to be a communist, Castro promises freedom from economic oppression and dictatorship Batista flees Cuba Batista flees Cuba. Castro enters Havana and names himself Premier. Castro enters Havana and names himself Premier.

Castro becomes Communist Castro tries to bring economic equality to the Cuban people (predominantly peasants) by seizing American farms and oil refineries. Castro tries to bring economic equality to the Cuban people (predominantly peasants) by seizing American farms and oil refineries. –The land is broken up into communes for the Cuban people.

America gets Pissed!!! Americans who lost their farms in Cuba ask the US Government to Retaliate. Americans who lost their farms in Cuba ask the US Government to Retaliate. –Congress passes a Trade embargo on Cuba.  Outlawing Cuban imports in the United States.

The Cuban People are Happy ( for the Most Part) Many agreed with Castro’s actions believing that Communism was the only way Cubans could get out of poverty. Many agreed with Castro’s actions believing that Communism was the only way Cubans could get out of poverty. People were happy Castro stood up to the Americans. People were happy Castro stood up to the Americans. Cubans believed he was the strong and Charismatic leader Cuba needed. Cubans believed he was the strong and Charismatic leader Cuba needed. 10% of the Cuban People (the wealthy land owners) fled for the United States. 10% of the Cuban People (the wealthy land owners) fled for the United States. –Miami becomes the 2nd largest Cuban population in the world, Nicknamed “Little Havana”

Cuban Exiles Go in for the Kill March 1960 President Eisenhower agrees to let the CIA train the Cuban Exiles to invade Cuba and overthrow Castro. March 1960 President Eisenhower agrees to let the CIA train the Cuban Exiles to invade Cuba and overthrow Castro. January 1961-Kennedy becomes President and disapproves with the invasion, but agrees to uphold Eisenhower’s promise. January 1961-Kennedy becomes President and disapproves with the invasion, but agrees to uphold Eisenhower’s promise. Kennedy insists that the invasion has no evidence of US Support. Kennedy insists that the invasion has no evidence of US Support.

The Bay of Pigs Fiasco April 17, 1961 April 17, 1961 Approx Cuban exiles land on the Southern coast of Cuba at Bahia de Cochinos (The Bay of Pigs), with the help of the U.S. Military. Approx Cuban exiles land on the Southern coast of Cuba at Bahia de Cochinos (The Bay of Pigs), with the help of the U.S. Military. All goes wrong!! All goes wrong!! –The air strike failed to attack the Cuban air force (although the CIA had reported that the attack was successful). –The advance attack group planned to attack Castro’s forces never made it to shore. –The main commando unit met up with 25,000 Cuban soldiers who were backed by Soviet tanks and jets. –Many of the invading exiles were taken hostage.

The Mission blows up in Kennedy’s face. Castro touts victory over America once again. Castro touts victory over America once again. Kennedy is embraced but accepts blame for the defeat. (wonders what went wrong with the CIA???) Kennedy is embraced but accepts blame for the defeat. (wonders what went wrong with the CIA???) Kennedy negotiates with Castro. Kennedy negotiates with Castro. –U.S. gives Cuba over $53 million in food and medical aid for the return of the exiles. Russia agrees to defend Cuba against any further American threat. Russia agrees to defend Cuba against any further American threat.

Russia sends weapons to Cuba Khrushchev keeps his promise to Castro to defend communism against the Americans. Khrushchev keeps his promise to Castro to defend communism against the Americans. Summer Russia sends nuclear weapons to Cuba Summer Russia sends nuclear weapons to Cuba Kennedy responds by saying the US won’t tolerate nuclear weapons pointed at our shores. (even though we had several pointed at Russia from Turkey) Kennedy responds by saying the US won’t tolerate nuclear weapons pointed at our shores. (even though we had several pointed at Russia from Turkey)

Cuban Missile Crisis, October 1962 "Nuclear catastrophe was hanging by a thread... and we weren't counting days or hours, but minutes." -Soviet General and Army Chief of Operations, Anatoly Gribkov

The Cuban Missile Crisis – Brinkmanship October14th, US Spy planes flying over Cuba see missiles ready to launch. October14th, US Spy planes flying over Cuba see missiles ready to launch. –These missiles could reach US cities as far as Denver in under 20 minutes. –(See the diagram on pg 881 of your text)  If we were attacked, we would not have much notice to prepare or to retaliate. October 22 nd Kennedy states that if Cuba attacks us, we will attack Russia. October 22 nd Kennedy states that if Cuba attacks us, we will attack Russia. –The American people are informed of the crisis. The United States creates a naval blockade of Cuba in order to keep Russia from stockpiling more missiles. The United States creates a naval blockade of Cuba in order to keep Russia from stockpiling more missiles. We were at the Brink of war – hand over the button - for 6 days! We were at the Brink of war – hand over the button - for 6 days!

The American people are informed of the crisis. The American public is scared they will be attacked at any moment. The American public is scared they will be attacked at any moment. My father (age 12) is afraid to go to sleep and attempts to stay awake – didn’t make it passed 2 days. My father (age 12) is afraid to go to sleep and attempts to stay awake – didn’t make it passed 2 days.

“We are eyeball to eyeball and the other fellow just blinked!” – Sect. of State Dean Rusk Luckily a Russia ship stopped in the Atlantic rather than break through our blockade and start a war. Luckily a Russia ship stopped in the Atlantic rather than break through our blockade and start a war. Days later Kennedy and Khrushchev make an agreement. Days later Kennedy and Khrushchev make an agreement. –The Russians will remove the Cuban missiles. –U.S. promises not to invade Cuba. –We also secretly agreed to remove our missiles from Turkey (but this wasn’t told to the American public for months.)

Kennedy gets burned Kennedy received a great deal of criticism as a result. Kennedy received a great deal of criticism as a result. Many believed we lost a chance to invade Cuba and re-establish our control over their farms. Many believed we lost a chance to invade Cuba and re-establish our control over their farms. Many others believed that Kennedy was too quick to threaten nuclear attack, when it is now clear that diplomatic actions worked best. Many others believed that Kennedy was too quick to threaten nuclear attack, when it is now clear that diplomatic actions worked best. Kennedy looses credibility as Americans were fearful of nuclear attack. Kennedy looses credibility as Americans were fearful of nuclear attack.