CUBA
CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS
BRINKMANSHIP AND CONTAINMENT
Tensions between USSR and USA spread beyond Europe to Asia, Middle East and
Latin America
Cuban missile crisis 1962 nearly became a war between the 2 superpowers
Communist revolution in Cuba gave the USSR an ally uncomfortably close to the USA
This made it even harder for the USA to prevent the spread of communism
The 2 superpowers were constantly pushing the opponent to the edge of declaring
open warfare
The dangers of brinkmanship became apparent during the Cuban Missile Crisis in
1962
BATISTA GOVERNMENT 1952
Cuba was dominated by the USA, it is an island 160km south of the USA
USA had a large naval base on the island
American controlled most of the wealth of the country – owned most of the oil
refineries, mines, cattle ranches, hotels and railways
USA bought the bulk of Cuba’s main export crop – sugar
HOWEVER Cubans still lived in extreme poverty
By 1950’s 40% of Cuba’s 6 million people were illiterate and there was a shortage
of teachers, schools, doctors and hospitals
2% of the population was wealthy and powerful – they owned over 50% of the land
1952 Batista (dictator) seizes power, abolished the constitution, closed
parliament, brutally suppressed all opposition
BATISTA’S GOVERNMENT had the support of the army, large landowners and
wealthy industrialists and bakers – also – had the support of the USA because Batista
was anti-communist
CUBAN REVOLUTION
1956 – a group of revolutionaries, led by Fidel Castro, built up enough support to
overthrow the government of Batista, who fled into exile
When Castro and his government marched into Havana – they were warmly
welcomed
USA’S RESPONSE TO CUBAN REVOLUTION
USA became more suspicious when Castro started introducing socialist reforms –
redistribution of land, collectivisation of agriculture and nationalisation of transport
and some industries
These measures – affected American investors
USA responded by – banned Cuban sugar imports to America, breaking off
diplomatic relationships with Cuba – way of forcing the Cuban government to
change its policies
CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS
BRINKMANSHIP AND CONTAINMENT
Tensions between USSR and USA spread beyond Europe to Asia, Middle East and
Latin America
Cuban missile crisis 1962 nearly became a war between the 2 superpowers
Communist revolution in Cuba gave the USSR an ally uncomfortably close to the USA
This made it even harder for the USA to prevent the spread of communism
The 2 superpowers were constantly pushing the opponent to the edge of declaring
open warfare
The dangers of brinkmanship became apparent during the Cuban Missile Crisis in
1962
BATISTA GOVERNMENT 1952
Cuba was dominated by the USA, it is an island 160km south of the USA
USA had a large naval base on the island
American controlled most of the wealth of the country – owned most of the oil
refineries, mines, cattle ranches, hotels and railways
USA bought the bulk of Cuba’s main export crop – sugar
HOWEVER Cubans still lived in extreme poverty
By 1950’s 40% of Cuba’s 6 million people were illiterate and there was a shortage
of teachers, schools, doctors and hospitals
2% of the population was wealthy and powerful – they owned over 50% of the land
1952 Batista (dictator) seizes power, abolished the constitution, closed
parliament, brutally suppressed all opposition
BATISTA’S GOVERNMENT had the support of the army, large landowners and
wealthy industrialists and bakers – also – had the support of the USA because Batista
was anti-communist
CUBAN REVOLUTION
1956 – a group of revolutionaries, led by Fidel Castro, built up enough support to
overthrow the government of Batista, who fled into exile
When Castro and his government marched into Havana – they were warmly
welcomed
USA’S RESPONSE TO CUBAN REVOLUTION
USA became more suspicious when Castro started introducing socialist reforms –
redistribution of land, collectivisation of agriculture and nationalisation of transport
and some industries
These measures – affected American investors
USA responded by – banned Cuban sugar imports to America, breaking off
diplomatic relationships with Cuba – way of forcing the Cuban government to
change its policies
