The Cuban Missile Crisis

Containment:The Cuban Missile Crisis

ContextThe Cuban Revolution

1898 Independence from SpainAmerica had been highly influential in Cuba since the early 1900s. Much of Cuba's industry was owned by US business and its main export, sugar, was controlled by the USA.

Background

• In 1950s, Cuba was being led under the corrupt and oppressive military dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista.
• He supported US interests on the island and hence, Washington supported him.

CONTEXT

• The Batista regime was extremely unpopular with the Cuban people.
• In 1956, Fidel Castro and Che Guevara gathered a force of guerrilla fighters
• By 1958, the revolution had spread throughout Cuba, culminating in the fall of Havana in early 1959.
• Castro formed a liberal nationalist government.
• He wanted Cuba to be free from US influence.

THE CUBAN REVOLUTION

America’s attitude towards South America had been solidified under President Monroe in 1823. The USA saw itself as the protector of South and Central American countries from outside interference.

Domino theory

Monroe Doctrine

For poorer Cubans instead of Americans and corrupt upper-classes.

US businesses were nationalised and land reform limited the size of farms.

How successful were the early attempts at containment?

Operation MongooseCovert operation: Cuban exiles and CIA operatives The plot to assassinate Castro

Bay of Pigs invasionExiles formed part of a US plan, cautiously supported by President Kennedy, to invade Cuba in 1961 and overthrow Castro.

In 1960, the USA refused to trade for sugar. Consequently, Castro nationalized all US businesses.

Castro invited the USSR to buy sugar instead

Eisenhower: banning the purchase of sugar from Cuba (which counted for 80 per cent of its exports)

US foreign policy

BAY OF PIGS INVASION

THE CRISIS

Missiles

U-2 Spy plane

140 km

MOMENTS

The Cuban Missile Crisis

KENNEDY´S OPTIONS

Diplomatic Pressure?

Blockade?

Invasion?

Air Attack?

Do Nothing?

From flims

Decision-making

The Armageddon Letters

ExComm

A Cuban Missile Crisis decision-making Role-play