Cuban Missile Crisis
Published on Nov 29, 2015
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Untitled Slide
During WWII the United States was rumored to be developing an Atomic Bomb.
Russia became very interested and planted at least two spies inside the manhattan project.
In 1945 the United States Drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and NAgasaki. The event instantly triggers an atomic arms race between the USSR and America.
The Soviet Union kicks its research and development into high gear and detonates its own atomic weaponry in 1949.
Over the next couple decades both sides take military precautions to keep each other in check. The United States even goes so far as to place IRBM's in Turkey that have nuclear capabilities and are aimed at the USSR.
So How Does Cuba fit in the Picture?:
Spain, Castro, and the Soviet Union
Spain
Spain originally colonized Cuba
It used the tiny island for its production of sugar and tobacco
Over time the cubans grew tired of Spanish control and attempted various revolutions to break free from Spain. But all attempts failed.
Rumors started to surface of human atrocities being carried out by the Spaniards. Americans took an interest and applied public pressure on President McKinley to take action.
In response Mckinley summoned the USS Maine to Havana harbor. The ship was anchored off shore in the harbor when one night there was a mysterious explosion that sank the ship.
In response the United States declared war on Spain. The US easily defeats the Spaniards and as part of the Treaty agrees to accept Cuba as a protectorate territory.
Castro
The man Who took on the US and won
After gaining Cuba from the Spaniards the US setup a puppet government that was at the beck and call of the United States. US businessmen traveled to Cuba in droves to setup hotels, casinos, and resorts that catered to Americans with disposable income.
Over time Cubans became frustrated with the unfair distribution of wealth and corrupt government. Cubans started protesting in the street and two charismatic leaders came to the forefrunt: Che Guevara and Fidel Castro
Castro, a native Cuban who had been sent into exile by the puppet government and Guevara an Argentinian who had made a career of traveling the world and taking part in revolutions all over the world, were communists and staunchly opposed capitalism.
Not wanting to entangle themselves in an armed conflict in the Caribbean the United States evacuates the puppet Government and Castro is able to take Power.
The Soviet Union
Why were they so interested in Cuba?
Remember that the US and the USSR are trying to keep each other in Check. As I mentioned earlier the US placed missiles with nuclear capabilities in Turkey aimed at the USSR. They are also carrying out a chess match that is being played around the world with who they support and the amount of financial and military aide they provide to vaRIOUS ALLIES AND NEW NATIONS.
Cuba's strategic vicinity to the USA made it the perfect ally for the Soviets. Also, the numerous failed attempts by the United States to assassinate Castro and take over the island meant Cuba was looking for a powerful ally to help protect them from the US.
The US would try one more invasion/
assassination plot during the Kennedy administration: The Bay of Pigs Invasion
The Invasion plan was created during the Eisenhower administration but was kept after the Kennedy administration took office.
The plan was to land about 3,000 american forces and former Cuban exiles that had been trained by the CIA. The idea was that locals would see the Cuban exiles leading a revolt against Castro and join the fight. That did not happen, in fact many of the Cubans were in support of Castro and alerted the Military of what was going on. With the aide of the Soviet military the American plan was foiled and became an international embarrassment for the US. As a result the United states agreed not to invade the country again.
Shortly after, Nuclear missiles were found on the island by an American reconnaissance flight. it is unclear if Cuba asked for the missiles or if they were offered by the Soviet Union,
Step two:
The Cuban Missile Crisis
The reconnaissance flight and others that follow determine that there are roughly 40 missiles capable of targeting every major city in the US except for Seattle.
Kennedy and his advisors believe it is best to keep the public in the dark about the situation for as long as possible.
Strongly disagreeing with the options given to him by his joint chiefs Kennedy creates a special committee to try and determine the best solution to the situation. This becomes known as Ex-Comm (Special Executive Committee to the President).
Ex-Comm
Your duty as a member of the Ex-Comm is to design a solution to the crisis without instigating an armed conflict with the Soviet Union.
Working with a partner or by yourself write up a 3 paragraph explanation of your plan to end the crisis.
In your proposal you should outline your solution, why your solutions is the best solution, and possible reactions by the Soviet Union and the US reactions to those reactions.
Ex-Comm
What really happened
ex-Comm met in secrecy during the early stages of the crisis. As it dragged on Ex-Comm started meeting in the oval office and the white house situation room. They're proposal to solve the problem was to establish a blockade.
The Blockade
Officially it was called a quarantine because a blockade is an act of war and the United States had no interest in an armed conflict with the Soviet Union so, it made the message clear that this was not an act of war but rather a defensive maneuver to protect American interests.
the quarantine would be set up by a series of Ships and aircraft that would patrol assigned areas.
As Russian ships would enter the areas on the way to Cuba they would be stopped and inspected by the American crew. If a ship refused to stop a warning shot would be fired in front of the ship.
Fortunately there were only a few incidents that really looked like it could end badly. Hours after the blockade started US ships spotted Soviet subs that were tailing US ships on radar.What their purpose was was unclear.
The End Game
How did this shape the modern world?
