# GCSE Modern History/Cuba
## The Cuban Revolution
### How did the USA react to Batista's government being overthrown?

* Initially, there was a frosty relationship but with no direct confrontation.
* In 1960, the USA banned buying of Cuban sugar (July) and then banned all trade with Cuba (October).
* In January 1961 the USA broke off diplomatic relations.
* After the takeover, Castro took over American businesses, but let them keep the naval base.
* In April 1961 the USA supported an invasion of Cuba by exiles (the Bay of Pigs). It failed.

## The Bay of Pigs
### Why was the Bay of Pigs invasion a failure?

* The CIA underestimated Castro's popularity - the Cubans did not rise to support the invasion.
* The invasion convinced Castro that the USA was an enemy and made him look to the USSR for support and protection.
* Kennedy claimed that there was no direct American government involvement, but Castro and Khrushchev knew the CIA had planned it and trained/armed the exiles.
* The failed invasion made Castro even more popular.
* Because of the failed invasion, Khrushchev was able to put missiles on Cuba claiming that they were for defensive purposes.
* A force of 1400 exiles landed in Cuba and were killed/captured by 20 000 Cuban troops.
* The USSR gave Castro and his men weapons and arms.

## The Cuban Missile Crisis
### Why did the Soviet Union put missiles on Cuba?

There are a number of theories as to why the Soviet Union decided to put missiles on Cuba. Some of these are:
* To get the upper hand in the arms race.
* They genuinely wanted to defend Cuba.
* To bargain with the USA (e.g. make them remove their missiles in Turkey).
* To test the USA.
* They wanted to trap the USA.

### Why was the USA concerned about Soviet missiles on Cuba?

There are a number of reasons for which the USA was concerned about Soviet missiles on Cuba. Some of these are:
* There was the potential for a nuclear war that would have destroyed the USA.
* Cuba was becoming a powerful country in their 'sphere of influence'
* The USSR could use the missiles to bargain with the USA and make them remove their nuclear missiles from Turkey.
* They were worried that the USSR was trying to draw them into a nuclear war.
* It was a test that would show how strong the USA really was.
* It was a threat to USA supremacy in the arms race.

### The USA's Actions

Kennedy had a number of choices as to what course of action to take. The main ones were:
* Doing nothing would make the USA seem weak and ineffective, and would not solve the problem. However, there would be no risk of war.
* A blockade would prevent more nuclear weapons arriving but did not solve the root of the problem, and would make the USA seem weak if it failed.
* An invasion of Cuba would get rid of Castro but risked starting a war with the Soviet Union.
* Diplomatic pressure would not risk the outbreak of war, but would make the USA seem weak if it failed.
* A surgical air attack would result in a Soviet response (Berlin?) and could not guarantee the destruction of all the missiles.

### The Outcome

There has been much debate about who came out victorious of the Cuban Missile Crisis. You should draw your own conclusions, but keep the following points in mind:
* After the failure of the Bay of Pigs, Kennedy was able to claim success.
* Khrushchev's reputation was damaged, and he was overthrown by his opponents in 1964.
* The Cuban Missile Crisis made some steps towards better relations:
** A 'hotline' was set up to allow better communication between the leaders.
** In 1963 a Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed.
* Cuba remained Communist and highly armed, and was a useful base for Soviet operations in South America.
* Khrushchev claimed that he had ensured the safety of his ally, and made peace.
* Khrushchev got the USA to remove its nuclear missiles from Turkey, but this was kept secret so it couldn't be used for propaganda purposes.

### Was the Cuban Missile Crisis really a threat to world peace?

Historians argue whether the Cuban Missile Crisis was really a threat to world peace. Some points to think about are:
* Both leaders were ready to negotiate. After the crisis, they even set up a direct telephone line to discuss any future crisis. - This shows the countries were equally ready to contribute and suggests that neither leader wanted to start a war.
* If Khrushchev was to be believed, the missiles were only for defensive purposes.
* Advisers on both sides were suggesting a war.
* Castro wanted Khrushchev to open fire first, but Khrushchev wanted to negotiate with the USA.
* Neither leader wanted to start a war.