Soviet Union

U.S.A.

Cuba

What was the What was the background to the events background to the events

in Cuba?in Cuba? Cuba, small island, 90 Cuba, small island, 90 miles from coast of miles from coast of FloridaFlorida

US ally, US businesses & US ally, US businesses & US military base US military base (Guantanamo)(Guantanamo)

1959, Fidel Castro 1959, Fidel Castro overthrows Batista (US-overthrows Batista (US-backed dictator), backed dictator), establishing establishing CommunistCommunist government.government.

Castro takes over US Castro takes over US businessesbusinesses

January 1961, US breaks January 1961, US breaks off diplomatic relationsoff diplomatic relations

April, 1961, Bay of Pigs – April, 1961, Bay of Pigs – 1,400 anti-Cuban exiles 1,400 anti-Cuban exiles attempted to overthrow attempted to overthrow CastroCastro

Autumn 1962, Cuba has Autumn 1962, Cuba has received 1000s of USSR received 1000s of USSR missiles, jets, boats & missiles, jets, boats & personnelpersonnel

Why was the USSR Why was the USSR interested in helping Cuba?interested in helping Cuba?

Cuba was a new Communist stateCuba was a new Communist state Cuba provided a launch base for USSR inter-Cuba provided a launch base for USSR inter-

continental missiles (ICMs)continental missiles (ICMs) Khrushchev wanted to test strength of new US Khrushchev wanted to test strength of new US

president, JFKpresident, JFK Khrushchev wanted to force JFK into bargaining Khrushchev wanted to force JFK into bargaining

over US missile in Europeover US missile in Europe

Soviet leader Khrushchev

What happened during the What happened during the October Crisis?October Crisis?

14 October 1962, US U2 spy plane takes 14 October 1962, US U2 spy plane takes photos of suspected USSR missile sites on photos of suspected USSR missile sites on CubaCuba

Sites nearing completion, experts believe they Sites nearing completion, experts believe they could be ready in 7 dayscould be ready in 7 days

US spy planes identify 20 Soviet ships bound US spy planes identify 20 Soviet ships bound for Cuba carrying missilesfor Cuba carrying missiles

This U-2 reconnaissance photo 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

Your taskYour task

President John F Kennedy was faced President John F Kennedy was faced with a number of extremely difficult with a number of extremely difficult decisions that could decide the fate decisions that could decide the fate of the world. Read through the list of of the world. Read through the list of options on your task sheet. Pick the options on your task sheet. Pick the one that you think is the best. All one that you think is the best. All options have pros and cons. Be sure options have pros and cons. Be sure to think about the short term and to think about the short term and long term effects of each decision.long term effects of each decision.

What to do????What to do????

Surprise invasion – air strike against Surprise invasion – air strike against missile sitesmissile sites

Larger air strike against missiles Larger air strike against missiles and other sitesand other sites

Air strike followed by ground Air strike followed by ground invasioninvasion

What to do????What to do????

Surprise invasion – air strike against Surprise invasion – air strike against missile sitesmissile sites

Larger air strike against missiles Larger air strike against missiles and other sitesand other sites

Air strike followed by ground Air strike followed by ground invasioninvasion

Blockade Cuba and ask Soviets to Blockade Cuba and ask Soviets to stop working on the missile sitesstop working on the missile sites

What happened during the What happened during the October Crisis?October Crisis?

20 October, 20 October, Kennedy decides Kennedy decides to quarantine to quarantine (blockade) Cuba(blockade) Cuba

22 October, 22 October, Kennedy publicly Kennedy publicly calls on calls on Khrushchev to Khrushchev to remove weaponsremove weapons

What happened during the What happened during the October Crisis?October Crisis?

23 October 23 October Khrushchev refuses Khrushchev refuses to acknowledge to acknowledge blockade or presence blockade or presence of Soviet missiles on of Soviet missiles on CubaCuba

24 October, 124 October, 1stst Soviet Soviet ships (accompanied ships (accompanied by submarine) by submarine) approach 497 miles approach 497 miles exclusion zoneexclusion zone

What happened during the What happened during the October Crisis?October Crisis?

24 October, 10:32 am, Soviet ships stop and 24 October, 10:32 am, Soviet ships stop and turn roundturn round

25 October, aerial photos show continued 25 October, aerial photos show continued construction of missile sitesconstruction of missile sites

26 October, Kennedy receives a letter offering 26 October, Kennedy receives a letter offering to negotiate over missiles in Cuba with to negotiate over missiles in Cuba with removal of blockade and US invasion threatremoval of blockade and US invasion threat

27 October, Kennedy receives second letter 27 October, Kennedy receives second letter calling for withdrawal of US missiles in calling for withdrawal of US missiles in Turkey tooTurkey too

What happened during the What happened during the October Crisis?October Crisis?

27 October, US U2 27 October, US U2 plane shot down over plane shot down over Cuba & pilot killed. Cuba & pilot killed. Kennedy decides to Kennedy decides to ignore second letter, ignore second letter, but accepts terms of but accepts terms of 11stst letter letter

28 October, 28 October, Khrushchev agrees Khrushchev agrees to dismantle Soviet to dismantle Soviet missiles in Cubamissiles in Cuba

What is this cartoonist trying to say about the difficulties facing

Kennedy during the Crisis?

What was the outcome of What was the outcome of the crisis?the crisis?

Cuba remained Communist & heavily Cuba remained Communist & heavily armed (without nuclear missiles)armed (without nuclear missiles)

Both leaders didn’t lose face and came Both leaders didn’t lose face and came away with concessionsaway with concessions

Permanent hotline between White House Permanent hotline between White House & Kremlin set up& Kremlin set up

Supported theory of containment & co-Supported theory of containment & co-existence because alternatives existence because alternatives unimaginableunimaginable

Your taskYour task

Who do you think won the missile Who do you think won the missile crisis? Kennedy, Khrushchev or crisis? Kennedy, Khrushchev or neither? Explain your answer.neither? Explain your answer.