Cuban Missile Crisis/Bay of Pigs By: Kyra Avaritt and Brandon Merkert

How it all started In September 1962, an American U2 spy plane secretly photographed nuclear missile sites being built on Cuba. There was also an increase in the number of Soviet ships arriving in Cuba. The U.S. discovered the Soviets were building nuclear missile sites in Cuba to protect Castro from American invasion. On October 15 photographs revealed that long-range missiles were being placed in Cuba.

What Happened Kennedy wanted Cuba to remove the missiles. Kennendy callled a meeting to dicuss what should be done, Secretary of Defense Robert S McNamara called for the formation of the Executive Committee of the National Security Council which included military leaders, experts on Latin America, representatives of the CIA, cabinet ministers and personal friends of Kennedy’s. They considered the following:

What Happened cont. 1 Do nothing 2 Negotiate 3 Invade 4 Blockade 5 Air-Strike the missile bases 6 Use nuclear weapons Kennedy choose to blockade Cuba to prevent the Soviets from completing the bases.

Bay of Pigs The CIA had a plan to invade Cuba to overthrow Fidel Castro and the communist government there. The CIA trained some Cuban exiles for this invasion. In 1960, President Eisenhower approved the CIA plan to train these exiles and then camps were set up in Guatemala to train the exiles. The landing point for this operation would be the Bay of Pigs, along the southern coast of Cuba.

Bay of Pigs cont. Originally planned were two air strikes followed by a 1,400-man surprise attack. Paratroopers would cut off transportation and hold off Cuban forces while diversionary troops would land on the East Coast to create confusion. The invasion’s success would only be possible if the Cuban population helped the invaders.

What Went Wrong B-26 bombers did not destroy Castro’s entire air base, leaving the air force intact. Because of the failed first attempt, Kennedy cancelled the second attempt. The invasion force landed on the beaches of the Bay of Pigs under heavy gunfire. Cuban forces dominated us. –Sunk two escort ships –Destroyed half the air support

WWW cont. Horrible weather conditions made it difficult for the ground force to contribute to the invasion. –Soggy equipment –Small amount of ammunition Within 24 hours Castro had 20,000 troops positioned on the beaches. To help defend the B-26’s, Kennedy ordered an air-umbrella. –6 unmarked American fighter planes The B-26’s arrived an hour late so they were shot down. That same day, the invasion was terminated as a result of all the catastrophic failure.

End of Invasion Some of the invaders escaped by sea Most were either captured or killed About 1,200 invaders surrendered By the end of the invasion, more than 100 men had been killed.

Aftermath Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy begged pharmacies and baby food manufacturers to donate their products in order to bargain with Fidel Castro. The U.S. wanted to free the captured prisoners who waited 20 months while the negotiation took place. Castro agreed to $53 million dollars worth of drugs and baby food to release the captives. Even now, relations between the U.S. and Cuba are still tense.

What Happened cont. The U.S. tried to compromise with Russia by offering to remove their nuclear bases from Italy and Turkey if they were to remove theirs from Cuba. The U.S. promises to not invade Cuba after the missiles are removed.

Results Cuba agreed to honor the blockade and remove the missiles, and dismantle their missile sites, so the U.S. wouldn’t invade Cuba.

Direct Consequences 1 Both sides created a direct communications link known as the hot line. 2 The Test Ban Treaty was signed; it prohibited testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere 3 U.S. removed missiles from Turkey and Italy 4 Castro exchanged the 1,113 prisoners captured during the Bay of Pigs for $53 million in food, drugs, medicine, and cash. 5 Russia strived to have the same nuclear capability as the U.S. 6 China claimed to be the new leader of the communist ’ s movement 7 The U.S. helped to overthrow the communist ’ s movement in Vietnam, Nicaragua and Grenada.

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