Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962

Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962

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  Soviet Union U.S.A.Cuba
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  What was thebackground to the events in Cuba? Cuba, small island, 90 miles from coast of Florida US ally, US businesses & US military base (Guantanamo) 1959, Fidel Castro overthrows Batista (US-backed dictator), establishing Communist government.
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  Castro takes overUS businesses January 1961, US breaks off diplomatic relations April, 1961, Bay of Pigs – 1,400 anti-Cuban exiles attempted to overthrow Castro Autumn 1962, Cuba has received 1000s of USSR missiles, jets, boats & personnel
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  Why was theUSSR interested in helping Cuba? Cuba was a new Communist state Cuba provided a launch base for USSR inter-continental missiles (ICMs) Khrushchev wanted to test strength of new US president, JFK Khrushchev wanted to force JFK into bargaining over US missile in Europe Soviet leader Khrushchev
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  What happened duringthe October Crisis? 14 October 1962, US U2 spy plane takes photos of suspected USSR missile sites on Cuba Sites nearing completion, experts believe they could be ready in 7 days US spy planes identify 20 Soviet ships bound for Cuba carrying missiles
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  This U-2 reconnaissancephoto showed concrete evidence of missile assembly in Cuba. Shown here are missile transporters and missile-ready tents where fueling and maintenance took place. Courtesy of CIA
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   Your task President John F Kennedy was faced with a number of extremely difficult decisions that could decide the fate of the world. Read through the list of options on your task sheet. Pick the one that you think is the best. All options have pros and cons. Be sure to think about the short term and long term effects of each decision.
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  What to do????Surprise invasion – air strike against missile sites Larger air strike against missiles and other sites Air strike followed by ground invasion
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  What to do????Surprise invasion – air strike against missile sites Larger air strike against missiles and other sites Air strike followed by ground invasion Blockade Cuba and ask Soviets to stop working on the missile sites
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  What happened duringthe October Crisis? 20 October, Kennedy decides to quarantine (blockade) Cuba 22 October, Kennedy publicly calls on Khrushchev to remove weapons
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  What happened duringthe October Crisis? 23 October Khrushchev refuses to acknowledge blockade or presence of Soviet missiles on Cuba 24 October, 1 st Soviet ships (accompanied by submarine) approach 497 miles exclusion zone
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  What happened duringthe October Crisis? 24 October, 10:32 am, Soviet ships stop and turn round 25 October, aerial photos show continued construction of missile sites 26 October, Kennedy receives a letter offering to negotiate over missiles in Cuba with removal of blockade and US invasion threat 27 October, Kennedy receives second letter calling for withdrawal of US missiles in Turkey too
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  What happened duringthe October Crisis? 27 October, US U2 plane shot down over Cuba & pilot killed. Kennedy decides to ignore second letter, but accepts terms of 1 st letter 28 October, Khrushchev agrees to dismantle Soviet missiles in Cuba What is this cartoonist trying to say about the difficulties facing Kennedy during the Crisis?
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  What was theoutcome of the crisis? Cuba remained Communist & heavily armed (without nuclear missiles) Both leaders didn’t lose face and came away with concessions Permanent hotline between White House & Kremlin set up Supported theory of containment & co-existence because alternatives unimaginable
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   Your task Who do you think won the missile crisis? Kennedy, Khrushchev or neither? Explain your answer.