Cuban Revolution Timeline: 1952 – Batista Coup

1953 – Castro launches first rebellion; fails.

1956 – Castro begins guerilla war against Batista.

1959 – Castro’s revolution succeeds; takes control of Cuba.

1960 – Cuba nationalizes all U.S. property on island.

1961 – U.S. severs diplomatic relations.

John F. Kennedy (JFK)*:

President from 1961 – 1963

Focused on foreign policy.

Would be responsible for increased involvement in Cuba & Vietnam.

Assassinated in November, 1963.

Bay of Pigs Invasion* (1961)

US felt threatened due Cuba’s communist ties.

April 1961, 1,400 CIA-trained Cuban exiles landed at the Bay of Pigs in Cuba.

Plan was to assassinate Castro & overthrow Cuban government.

Bay of Pigs: Outcome Castro had learned of the planned invasion and his

troops were waiting when the exiles landed. Castro’s troops quickly destroyed the Cuban exiles. No popular support for invasion. Embarrassment to the US and President Kennedy, in

particular. Drives Cuba farther towards Soviet Union! Leads directly to the next crisis …

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)*: October 1962, a U2

spy plane flying over Cuba spotted Soviet missile pads.

This posed an immediate threat to due to Cuba’s proximity to the U.S.

Cuban Missile Crisis:

Effective range of Cuban missiles

Cuban Missile Crisis After weighing

different options, U.S. starts a naval blockade (“quarantine”).

Soviet ships are turned away – if one is fired on, war will be declared.

Tension between the superpowers lasts 13 days.

Cuban Missile Crisis: ResolutionEventually, USSR backs

down. Parties agree to:

Kennedy (US):1. Never invade Cuba2. Dismantle US

missiles in Turkey

Khrushchev (USSR):3. Dismantle missiles in

Cuba4. Allow UN inspection

in Cuba

U.S. Missiles in Turkey

Cuban Missile Crisis: ResolutionEventually, USSR backs

down. Parties agree to:

Kennedy (US):1. Never invade Cuba2. Remove US missiles

in Turkey

Khrushchev (USSR):3. Remove missiles in

Cuba4. Allow UN inspection

in Cuba

Cuban Missile Crisis: Outcome Cuban Missile Crisis

was the closest the US has come to a nuclear attack, i.e. World War III.

Reinforced bad feelings between U.S. and Cuba.

… but actual led to a reduction in U.S./U.S.S.R. tensions.