1. How and why does Cuba become an ally of the Soviet Union?
The Cuban Revolution
How and why does Cuba become an ally of the Soviet Union?

2. Overthrow of Batista
1950s: Cuba is ruled by an unpopular dictator, Fulgencio Batista
Batista in power due to support from US Govt. & American businesses like United Fruit Co.
1953: A young lawyer named Fidel Castro plans to overthrow Batista
July 26, 1953: Castro’s poorly equipped army tries to storm Moncada army barracks but fails
Castro is sent to prison
Due to US pressure, Batista frees all political prisoners in 1955
Fidel & his brother Raul head to Mexico to recruit an army

3. In Mexico City, Fidel meets an Argentine doctor named Che Guevara who joins Fidel’s army
1956: Fidel’s army arrives in Cuba but is losing & must flee to Sierra Maestra Mountains
Using radio broadcasts, Cubans begin to support Fidel’s cause
1958: Castro’s army leaves Sierra, restarts Rev.
Peasants join Castro’s army, with support of the people Castro wins, Batista flees
1959: Castro begins programs like universal education & health care
Castro begins seizing foreign owned land & nationalizing businesses
Elections put on hold, supporters of Batista are jailed, exiled or executed

4. Bay of Pigs Invasion
Eisenhower is outraged, begins a boycott of the island
Raul Castro suggests an alliance with the Soviet Union
: CIA trains Cuban exiles to invade Cuba & overthrow Castro
Bay of Pigs invasion fails. President Kennedy won’t use US military to help
Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)
Cuba asks Soviets for defensive help
Soviets offer nuclear missiles in Cuba – US spy planes photograph sites
JFK demands all missles be removed. US begins to blockade Cuba
However, JFK and Khrushchev cut a deal to avoid a nuclear war

5. Political Cartoon
1. Describe people, objects, symbols and actions in the cartoon.
2. What is the cartoonist saying about Cuban Missile Crisis?
3. Why do you think Kennedy abandoned MAD after the Cuban Missile Crisis?

6. Political Cartoon
1. Describe all people, objects and actions in the cartoon.
2. What is the cartoonist saying about the US & USSR? Is the cartoonist for or against the idea of MAD & Brinkmanship during the Cuban Missile Crisis?