KQ5 Revision Notes
The Cuban Missile Crisis
What was the background to the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Cuba is a large island just 160km from Florida, USA.
Cuba had been an ally of the USA for a long time.
Americans owned most Cuban businesses.
The USA had a huge naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Before 1959 Cuba was governed by President Batista - an American-backed dictator.
But in 1959, after a three year guerrilla campaign, Fidel Castro overthrew Batista and set
up a pro-Communist government.
How successful was US containment of Cuba 1959-1961?
1959-61 - a frosty relationship, but no direct confrontation; Castro nationalised US
businesses, but allowed the USA to keep its naval base and assured Americans living in
Cuba that they were safe.
BUT Cuba was importing arms from the USSR - and American spies knew this.
January 1961 - the USA broke off diplomatic relations with Cuba, a signal that it was not
going to tolerate a Soviet satellite in the US sphere of influence.
April 1961 - the Bay of Pigs. Kennedy supplied arms, equipment and transport for 1400
Cuban exiles to invade Cuba and overthrow Castro; the invasion was a disaster; Castro
The Cuban Missile Crisis
What was the background to the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Cuba is a large island just 160km from Florida, USA.
Cuba had been an ally of the USA for a long time.
Americans owned most Cuban businesses.
The USA had a huge naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Before 1959 Cuba was governed by President Batista - an American-backed dictator.
But in 1959, after a three year guerrilla campaign, Fidel Castro overthrew Batista and set
up a pro-Communist government.
How successful was US containment of Cuba 1959-1961?
1959-61 - a frosty relationship, but no direct confrontation; Castro nationalised US
businesses, but allowed the USA to keep its naval base and assured Americans living in
Cuba that they were safe.
BUT Cuba was importing arms from the USSR - and American spies knew this.
January 1961 - the USA broke off diplomatic relations with Cuba, a signal that it was not
going to tolerate a Soviet satellite in the US sphere of influence.
April 1961 - the Bay of Pigs. Kennedy supplied arms, equipment and transport for 1400
Cuban exiles to invade Cuba and overthrow Castro; the invasion was a disaster; Castro
