Download Bay of Pigs Invasion

The Cuban Missile Crisis
Setting the Stage
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The Truman Doctrine
The Marshall Plan
Containment
The Domino Theory
The Berlin Blockade
The Berlin Wall
Why are these
events so
important when
trying to
understand the
Cold War?
Based on your knowledge of the Cold War, outline the reasons
why your historical policy or event helped increase the tension
at the outset of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The Bay of Pigs Invasion
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The 1961 Bay of Pigs
Invasion was an
unsuccessful attempt at
invasion following the
Cuban Revolution that saw
Fidel Castro come to power
It was planned and funded
by the United States
The invasion was carried
out by armed Cuban exiles
in southwest Cuba.
This action accelerated a
rapid deterioration in
Cuban-American relations
worsened by the Cuban
Missile Crisis the following
year.
The Crisis
Begins
October 15, 1962
Monday
The Crisis Begins

A U-2 reconnaissance pilot, Richard Heyser,
takes photos which reveal the presence of SS-4
Nuclear missiles in Cuba.
The Aerial Photos
Meanwhile back in Montana~
Malmstrom Air Force Base had the
first and only solid fueled rocket,
however they lacked ability to launch
it.
October 16, 1962
Tuesday
October 16, 1962
President John F. Kennedy was informed
of the missiles while eating breakfast.
 President Kennedy convened EX-COMM,
his twelve most important advisors.
 What the president didn’t know was that
Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev had
given the Soviet field commanders in
Cuba permission to launch nuclear
missiles if the United States invaded.

October 17, 1962
Wednesday
October 17, 1962
 The
first of three SS-5 Intermediate
Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBM) were
detected in Cuba.
Range of Weapons
October 18, 1962
Thursday
October 18, 1962

President John F. Kennedy meets with and
advises Soviet Foreign Minister Andrie
Gromyko that the United States will not
tolerate the presence of Soviet missiles in
Cuba. Gromyko denies having weapons of
any sort in Cuba.
Friday
October 19,1962
October 19, 1962

President Kennedy
meets with secretary
of defense Robert
McNamara to discuss
military options. JFK
left later to Chicago,
he was told not to tell
anybody about the
crisis.
Meanwhile back in Montana~
 Airmen
at Malmstrom Air
Force Base started laying
wire to launch solid fuel
rockets. Construction sites
were in the middle of fields,
and even on farms.
Sunday
October 21,1962
October 21,1962

Kennedy asks the Air
Force if they could
take out all of the
Cuban missiles. “Only
the ones we know
about” replied the Air
Force. President
Kennedy decided to
navel block Cuba.

Another U-2 plane
discovered missiles
being built on the
North Shore of Cuba.
President Kennedy
told the media that he
would tell the
American Public
tomorrow.
TOP SECRET
SOME PICTUES
TAKEN BY U-2 Spy
PLANES
The American Response
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Kennedy and
Congress had already
passed a resolution
stating the placement
of nuclear weapons in
Cuba would no be
tolerated
They realized they had
to act quickly before
the missiles were
active
They had a number of
choices at their
disposal – This has
become known as the
“Escalation Ladder”
The Escalation Ladder
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Do Nothing
Go to the United
Nations
*Naval Blockade*
Strategic Air
strike
Full Invasion of
Cuba
Which policy do you think the USA should have employed with the Soviets?
In groups of 5 or 6 which I will choose – make a case for your option.
Why was
“Do Nothing” not an option?
1.
2.
3.
4.
The Truman Doctrine
prevented it
The weapons were too
dangerous to
American safety
Kennedy would be
perceived as weak by
the Soviets – This
could empower them
to make another
move on Berlin or
another contentious
European location
Kennedy would be
committing political
suicide at home
Go to the UN?
CONS
PROS

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Using the United
Nations for diplomacy
which is good
Validates the United
Nation’s role in global
politics
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Takes too long
Could appear
indecisive
Too many interest
groups
Russia and the United
States both have veto
powers on the
Security Council –
hard to reach a
consensus
DECISION: Good option in conjunction with another choice
Naval Blockade
CONS
PROS
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Its not war and it is a
show of strength
without missiles
A Naval quarantine is
an effective way of
turning away missiles
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Puts the United States
in direct confrontation
with the USSR
Sinking a soviet ship
is an act of war
DECISION: Safer than an air strike or full invasion
Strategic Airstrike
PROS
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Will effectively
knock out Soviet
missiles
Good show of
American strength
CONS
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When Soviet
missiles are
destroyed it is
likely that Soviet
soldiers will die as
well – this is an act
of war
DECISION: Option number two but would prefer not to use it
Invasion
PROS
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The United States
secures Cuba and
ensures nuclear safety
from the country
The United States
sends a clear message
to the Soviets to stay
out of the west
CONS
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A full invasion would
surely kill Soviet
soldiers which would
be considered an act
of war
The nuclear
consequences could
be disastrous
DECISION: Too risky, can only be used as a last resort
October 22
1962
Monday
October 22, 1962
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The public was informed of
the crisis on this day.
Senate leaders were
informed of the crisis and
called for air strikes.
Kennedy reinforced his
decision for a quarantine.
Marines reinforced the base
at Guantanamo Bay.
President Kennedy’s Speech
Addressed the nation about what was going on in
Cuba
 Announced plans to implement a naval blockade
of Cuba.
 Sets military alert to DEFCON 3.
 Instructions were given to be ready to launch
missiles within minutes of the President's speech.
 In response to this speech, Castro mobilized of
Cuba’s military forces.

Meanwhile back in Montana~
 Kennedy
ordered Malmstrom
officials to be prepared to
launch the missiles at any
time.
October 24, 1962
Wednesday
Wednesday
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Soviet ships approached the quarantine.
EX-COMM was worried that Khrushchev had not got
hold of the ships to tell them to turn back.
They got information later telling them Soviet ships
had stopped.
Wednesday
Secretary of State Dean Rusk quoted, “We
were eyeball to eyeball and the other guy just
blinked.”
 The crisis was not at its end.

October 25,1962
Thursday
October 25, 1962
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U.S. Ambassador Adlai Stevenson confronts the Soviets at
the U.N. but they refuse to answer.
American military forces are instructed to set DEFCON 2 the
highest ever in U.S. history.
The military could, at a moment's notice, launch an attack on
Cuba or the Soviet Union.
Kennedy sends letter to Khrushchev blaming the soviets for
the start of this crisis.
EX-COMM discusses a proposal to withdraw missiles from
Turkey if the Soviets withdraw their missiles from Cuba.
October 27, 1962
Saturday
Saturday
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Khrushchev sends a letter
saying if the U.S. removes
its missiles from Turkey
they will remove theirs in
Cuba.
Pilot, Major Rudolf
Anderson an American U2 flier was shot down over
Cuba.
Saturday
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U-2 pilot strays into Soviet airspace accidentally while
flying in Alaska. Soviet fighters nearly took the plane
down.
President Kennedy will make a statement saying he
will not invade Cuba.
Why Cuba Mr. Krushchev?
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Brinkmanship
An opportunity to
close the missile gap—
Currently far behind
U.S. in terms of
number of missiles
Protect Cuba – Castro
had begun relations
with the USSR
Reciprocity: The U.S.
has missiles pointing
at the Soviets (ie.
Turkey)
Why was the USSR interested in
helping Cuba?
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Cuba was a new Communist state
Cuba provided a launch base for USSR intercontinental missiles (ICMs)
Khrushchev wanted to test strength of new
US president, JFK
Khrushchev wanted to force JFK into
bargaining over US missile in Europe