THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS Origins The ‘Thirteen Days’ Consequences

READ PAGES 94 AND 95 – ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS What is an “arms race”? Competition between countries to have the most and most advanced weapons What were the causes and effects of the arms race? The USSR wanted to catch up with the USA Neither side trusted the other Both feared war was about to break out Each wanted military supperiority

READ PAGES 94 AND 95 – ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS How much more powerful was American than the USSR? Early lead – first to develop atomic bomb By 1961 – 20 times more nuclear weapons than USSR USA also had special planes they could use to drop nuclear weapons on USSR (USSR didn’t) Russia did not have enough money What colour is associated with the communists? red What was the largest nuclear weapon ever tested? Tsar Bomba (from Russia) 100 times more powerful than the atomic bombs used by the USA in Japan

THE CUBAN REVOLUTION  Why did America want Cuba to be its ally?  It was only 145 kilometres away (part of US ‘sphere of influence’)  When was the Cuban Revolution?  1959  Who became leader of Cuba?  Fidel Castro

THE CUBAN REVOLUTION  What did Castro want?  Independence from the USA Castro’s new Communist government took over US properties in Cuba America banned the import of Cuban sugar The Cuban economy was threatened with bankruptcy Cuba turned to the USSR for help Khrushchev offered economic aid to Cuba to help industrialise

THE BAY OF PIGS INCIDENT EisenhowerKennedy The CIA should assasinate Castro Overthrow Cuba’s communist government and replace it with a capitalist government sympathetic to the USA

THE BAY OF PIGS INCIDENT  What did Kennedy do in April 1961?  Invaded the Bay of Pigs  What was the result?  The Americans were defeated in two days  Kennedy had thought the Cubans would support him but they did not

IN AUGUST 1961 KHRUSHCHEV AND CASTRO DECIDED TO PUT NUCLEAR MISSILES IN CUBA WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE OF AMERICA. WHAT WAS THE EFFECT OF THIS ON EACH OF THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES? CubaUSSRUSA Castro felt vulnerable and asked Khushchev to help him defend Cuba Khrushchev decided to station Russian nuclear missiles in Cuba (some within striking range of the USA) Was fearful because Russia now had missiles in striking distance of the US

THE ‘THIRTEEN DAYS’  What were the ‘Thirteen Days’?  Period at the height of the missile crisis where is appeared there was a real threat of nuclear war

THE ‘THIRTEEN DAYS’ 16 th October Kennedy is informed of Khrushchev’s plans to place nuclear missiles on Cuba 20 th October Kennedy decides to impose a naval blockade around Cuba to prevent further missiles being placed there 22 nd October Kennedy announces the blockade and asks Khrushchev to recall ships 23 rd October Khrushchev sends a letter to Kennedy saying that he will Soviet ships will break through the blockade 24 th October Khrushchev issues a statement saying that the USSR are prepared to go to war if America goes to war

THE ‘THIRTEEN DAYS’ 25 th October American and Soviet forces are on the highest level of alert- they are told to prepare for war. Kennedy writes to Khrushchev to ask him to withdraw missiles from Cuba. 26 th October In return, Khrushchev asked the USA for a guaranteee that USA will not invade Cuba. in return they will remove the missiles. 27 th October Khrushchev receives inteligence that the USA plan to invate Cuba in 24 hours. They suggest a deal: The USSR will withdraw missiles from Cuba if the USA will agree never to invade Cuba and withdraw nuclear missiles from Turkey. An American spy Plane is shot down over Cuba, the ‘hawks’ demand retaliation. Robert Kennedy approaches the Russian ambassador accepting the deal, but demands that the withdrawal of weapons is kept secret. 28 th October Khrushchev accepts secret deal

KHRUSHCHEV’S PLAN REVEALED  What did Khrushschev send to Cuba on the 25 th September 1962?  114 Soviet ships carrying secret cargo (nuclear warheads & long-range missiles)  How did the USA discover these missiles?  Spy planes  Watch this clip How do you think the Americans felt after hearing this?

KHRUSHCHEV’S PLAN REVEALED  Explain what the ‘hawks and doves’ were.  ‘hawks’ – aggressive – thought Kennedy should go to war  ‘doves’ – advised caution – wanted peace

CONSEQUENCES IMMEDIATE  For USSR  Khrushchev less authority because he backed down and US removal of weapons secret  Betrayed Cuba?!  For international peace  Showed how fragile it was  What two things were agreed on after the Cuban Missile Crisis?  ‘hotline’ was set up between US and USSR in June 1963  Limited Test Ban Treaty signed in 1963 (August)  Ban testing of nuclear weapons in space, sea and above ground (underground still ok)

CONSEQUENCES – LONG TERM  Watch this clip - What did Kennedy say was changing between the USSR and USA?  Arms race  By 1965 – same place in ‘arms race’  MAD (mutually assured destruction)  France left NATO  Did not want to be involved in war between USA and USSR. Left in 1965 and developed own nuclear weapons