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The Cuban Missile Crisis : - Coggle Diagram
The Cuban Missile Crisis :
Why did US-Cuba relation break down?
US actions
Political
American political intervention in Cuba:
The Cuban Revolution: suspicious of Castro but were willing to recognise him if he held elections
April 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion: Use Cuban exiles to remove Castro
Us role: train, equip, provide transport & air support
Kennedy removed air support
Plan failed
Operation Mongoose:
Secret operation to assassinate Castro
Plan failed
Economic
Economic pressure on Cuba:
-US: ordered US oil refineries in Cuba Not to process Soviet oil
-Cuba: nationalised US refineries in Cuba
-US: Cut Sugar Quota
-Cuba: nationalised all US businesses in Cuba
-US: Trade Embargo
Castro's actions
Political
Castro's friendship with Krushchev:
Castro's meeting with Khrushchev at the UN General Assembly Meeting
Castro's condemnation of USA -> Havana Declaration
Cuba's formal alliance with the Soviet Union:
Castro declared himself a 'Marxist-Leninist' and established a new communist party in Cuba
Economic
Seeking new markets for Cuban sugar:
Over-reliance on USA
USSR offered oil for sugar barters
US concerned and fearful that USSR was spreading influence
Land Reform Law:
Redistribution of land
Affected US business
Why did the Soviets install missiles in Cuba?
Aggressive
Response to Missiles in Turkey:
Create similar threat to USA
Force USA to withdraw missiles in Turkey for exchange for withdrawal of missiles in Cuba
Raise Soviet Prestige:
Challenged by China for leadership over the communist world
Khrushchev hoped to use missiles to:
-Successfully defend Cuba
-Force USA to give up West Berlin
Defensive
Protect Cuba
Narrow Missile gap:
Us superiority in arms race-> danger of US first strike-> missiles in Cuba to deter first strike
Why did the US need to adapt a strong response?
What were the options?
Do nothing: Accept presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba
Pros: Avoid further humiliation after Bay of Pigs invasion
Cons: Missiles would threaten Us security, Kennedy's position as President and the credibility of US among its allies
Use diplomatic measures: Through the UN, the US would apply diplomatic pressure on Khrushchev or negotiate to withdraw missiles
Cons: Would not stop Soviets from continuing with missile deployment and US allies might see the US's willingness to negotiate as a sign of weakness
Approach Castro: Ask Castro to reject the missiles
Cons: US-Cuba relations had broken down and it was unlikely for the Cubans to trust the US
Invade Cuba:
Pros: Remove Soviet missiles and overthrow Castro
Cons: Will lead to direct combat with Soviet forces in Cuba, giving the USSR an excuse to attack West Berlin
Launch an air strike: Destroy known missile sites
Cons: Not all missile strikes would be destroyed and any surviving missiles could be used against the US
Impose naval blockade: Prevent further importing and deployment of Soviet 'offensive weaponry'
Pros: Buy USA more time to assess strength of Soviet force and to negotiate with Khrushchev
Cons: A blockade could be construed as an act of war against Cuba which could trigger a full-sclae conflict between both superpowers
What was Kennedy facing?
Humiliaton from Bay of Pigs invasion
Soviets may use first strike policy
From Escalation to Resolution:
13 days
What led to resolution of CMC?
Kennedy's actions:
-Didn't want to take swift military actions
-Pursued diplomatic channels to resolve the crisis
-Ignored brash confidence of some military commanders
-Offered a private assurance to withdraw Turkey missiles in 6 months time
Khrushchev's actions:
-Considered his actions during US naval blockade
-Pursued diplomatic channels to resolve the crisis
-Ignored brash confidence of some military commanders
-Agreed to the private assurance
Who was the Victor/Loser of the crisis?
USSR:
-Khrushchev and USSR lost prestige
-Break down of relations with Cuba and China
-Threat of Jupiter missiles was removed and Cuba remained a valaube ally
Cuba:
-Castro seen as national hero, stayed in power
-Continued to be a Soviet ally
-Lost nuclear protection but protected from a possible American invasion
USA:
-Kennedy was seen as courageous, stood up against hardliners with the govt.
-Upsetted their allies and many NATO states
-Cuba remained communist
What almost escalated the crisis into a nuclear war?
Khrushchev's actions: Mobilisation of Soviet forces
Kennedy's actions: Strategy of Brinkmanship
Cuba's actions: Moblisation of Cuban forces
Castro: Armageddon letter- called for a nuclear strike on USA