CASESTUDY: CUBA - historypagehistorysg.weebly.com/uploads/5/4/6/3/5463883/cuba_no…  · Web viewFor the last 15 years, I have fought here at this table alongside your predecessors.

CASESTUDY: CUBA

Factfile: Cuba Geography: Large island 100 miles

from Florida Economy: Sugar and Tobacco History: Discovered by Christopher

Columbus in 1492. Colonized by Spain in 1511. Colony of the US 1898 - 1902. Self-governing in 1902. Fulgencio Batista was the US-backed President from 1933 until 1959, when he was ousted by Communist leader Fidel Castro.

THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS 1962

The Cuban Missile Crisis refers to a crisis which began between October 14 1962 until November 20 1962. Soviet missile facilities were discovered in Cuba, 100 miles from the US. The US demanded the removal of these facilities and blockaded all ships entering Cuba. When the Soviet Union refused to remove those missiles and insisted on Soviet ships travelling to Cuba, a crisis was created. Some historians regard the Cuban Missile Crisis as the moment when the Cold War was closest to becoming a nuclear war.

Range of Soviet Missiles in Cuba http://www.cia.gov/csi/studies/vol46no (provide a more detailed map of the US with cities) 1/CubaMap1b_w.jpg

WHY DID THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS OCCUR?

Cold War Rivalry in the 1960s

The Cuban Missile Crisis occurred because intense Cold War rivalry was 'heating up' again in the 1960s. Between 1954 to 1959, relations between the Soviet Union and the US improved. Soviet leader Nikitha Khrushchev was the first Soviet leader to evervisit the US. US President Eisenhower felt that he was the greatest Soviet leader since Stalin. Khrushchev that his trip to the US was a good start to his policy of 'peaceful co-existence'.

However, in the 1960s, relations between both sides deteriorated. In May 1960, , a US spy plane was shot down in the Soviet Union. This spy plane incident re-ignited US-Soviet tensions.

In August 1961, Khruschev built a wall around West Berlin to prevent East German refugees fleeing to West Germany. This wall was called the Berlin Wall and symbolized the division between Eastern and Western Europe.

In October 1961, Soviet and US tanks rolled out and faced each other at Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin for 16 hours. Both sides were put on high alert and almost went to war.

When Cuba became a communist state, it occurred at a time when the Cold War was 'heating up' again.

Nuclear Rivalry

The Cuban Missile Crisis also occurred at a time when there was intense nuclear rivalry. In 1962, the Soviet Union and the US were competing with each other to see which side had the most number and most destructive types of nuclear weapons. They also competed to see which side had long range missiles and over methods of delivering nuclear weapons.

Both sides felt that by building more nuclear warheads and searching for more varied ways to “outkill” the enemy, war could be avoided. According this theory of MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction), both sides would be reluctant to use nuclear warheads because they feared that if the other side retaliated, both sides would be destroyed.

In 1961, nuclear missiles could be fired from submarines, high altitude bombers or from missile silos. By 1962, the nuclear competition was such that both superpowers also competed over where they could best strategically deploy these nuclear weapons. This background led to the Soviet decision to deploy missiles in Cuba.

Personal conflict between Soviet leader Nikita Khruschev and US President John F Kennedy

The crisis also occurred because of personal and character clashes between Khrushchev and newly elected President JF Kennedy. Elected into power in 1960, Kennedy was politically inexperienced on the international scene.. Khruschev on the other hand, had been the Soviet leader for more than six years.

When the two leaders met in Vienna in 1960, they clashed over the issue of Berlin. Both Kennedy and Khrushchev hated each other.

An account of the Khrushchev-Kennedy meeting.

"I want peace, but if you want war that is your problem", Khrushchev shouted, banging his fist on the table. Neither men smiled as they shook hands for the official photographs.

(Jeremy Isaacs & Taylor Downing: Cold War, Bantam Press, 1998, p 173)

http://www.johndclare.net/cold_war16.htm

What do these sources tell you about the relationships between both leaders?

US Monroe Doctrine

The Cuban Missile crisis was also caused by US interpretation of the Monroe Doctrine. The US Monroe Doctrine was a statement of foreign policy issued by President James Monroe in 1823, declaring that the US would not tolerate intervention by European nations in the affairs of nations in the Americas. In the 1960s, the Monroe Doctrine was translated into US right to intervene in the affairs of any Caribbean, South American or Latin American state if it threatened the security of the US.

In 1959, popular leader Fidel Castro overthrew the US-backed corrupt Cuban government. He then created a communist state in 1960. The US would not tolerate communist states so close to it’s borders because it threatened US security. When it came to nuclear missiles on Cuba, the US would be even more intolerant, if not hostile.

Poor US-Cuba relations after the Bay of Pigs Invasion

Factfile: Fidel Castro Fidel Castro was born in Mayari, Cuba, in 1926.

He was educated in a Jesuit school and received a law degree from the University of Havana in 1950.

Castro was arrested in a failed coup against the Batista government and exiled to Mexico and the US.

In 1956, he secretly returned to Cuba, joined forces with communist

Fidel Castro & Che Guevera http://www.historyofcuba.com/images/castrche.jpg

revolutionary Che Guevara He overthrew the Batista

government in 1959. Until 1960, US policy makers were

unsure if he was communist.

Another cause for the crisis came from poor US-Cuba relations beginning in 1960. When Castro came to power, it was not clear whether he was a going to turn Cuba into a communist state. However, in 1960, Castro seized control of all US companies in Cuba, angering US businessmen. In retaliation, the US government secretly funded and supported a band of Cuban rebels to overthrow Castro. This rebellion failed and angered Castro. It made Castro declare "I am a a Marxist-Leninist and shall remain so till the last days of my life". When the Soviet Union offered to build missile sites in Cuba, Castro willingly obliged.

Soviet aid to Cuba

Another reason for the crisis lay in Soviet decision to use Cuba as an example to demonstrate Soviet willingness to defend communist countries around the world. By building Soviet missile bases, the Soviet Union wanted to show her sincerity in defending communism in the new republic of Cuba.

Soviet Sense of Insecurity

The crisis was also created because of Soviet sense of insecurity. US missile sites in other parts of the world pointed at Soviet cities. The Soviet Union was particularly concerned about Jupiter Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles based in Turkey which directly threatened cities in the Soviet Union. Khrushchev felt that building missile facilities close to the US would restore their strategic nuclear situation and benefit the Soviet Union.

WHAT WERE THE OPTIONS AVAILABE TO US PRESIDENT KENNEDY WHEN THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS OCCURRED?

When Soviet missiles were discovered in Cuba by US spy planes, Kennedy's approach was to gather a group of experts to give him advice and counsel, formulate plans and devise the appropriate response to the crisis. He called the group excomm or Executive Committee.

Points of View

Robert McNamara, Secretary of Defense.

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"If we strike, we need an agreement that we have to do it before those missiles become operational.

Dean Rusk, Secretary of State

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"If we permit the introduction of nuclear missiles to a Soviet satellite in our hemisphere, the consequences will be too terrible to contemplate. The Russians are trying to show us that they can do whatever they want wherever they want. Appeasement only makes the aggressor more aggressive. We must remove the missiles one way or the other. The options are either some combination of international pressure and pressure on our part. Or we hit them - an airstrike.

Dean Acheson, Ex-Secretary of State. For the last 15 years, I have fought here at this table alongside your predecessors. The Soviets understand only one word, action. He respects only

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one word, force. I concur with General Taylor. I recommend air-strikes, followed by invasion, perhaps preceded by an ultimatum to dismantle those missiles

Maxwell Taylor, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff

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This represents a shift in Soviet thinking to a first strike policy. It is a massively destabilizing move. We have high confidence in an expanded airstrike option. The problem is that it is a short-term solution. Khruschev can send in more missiles next month. We should follow the air-strikes with Op Plan 316. We can invade Cuba and get rid of Castro so this can never happen again. The sooner we strike, the better.

Curtis LeMay, Chief of Staff, US Air Force.

You give me the order and my planes can carry out the order. My boys will get those red bastards. You can order the strikes now. I believe it is our only course of action. American lives are in danger. Those nuclear weapons are a threat to our air bases and nuclear deterrent. Without our deterrent, there is nothing to prevent the enemy from choosing general nuclear war. It's our

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duty and responsibility to the American people to take out those missiles and return stability to the situation. The big red dog is digging in our own backyard and we are justified in shooting it.

Adlai Stevenson , US Permanent representative to the the United Nations

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I still think there are diplomatic approaches we have not fully considered. There is a third option. The third course is to strike a deal. We trade our base in Cuba, Guantanamo Bay and our missiles in Turkey. In return, we get them to pull their missiles out of Cuba. We provide a back channel. We work through and attribute the idea to United Nations.

Robert F Kennedy, Attorny-General of the US.

You are talking about a sneak attack. How will that make us look? A big country blasting a small country into the stone-age. We will be everyone's favorite if we do that!

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If you were President Kennedy and had these options, what would your choice be? By considering the consequences of your actions, which option would you choose?

Quotes from the movie Thirten Days. Roger Donaldson Film. New Line Cinema

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HOW WAS THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS RESOLVED?

US Military put on high alert

The US watched the arms build-up in Cuba with great alarm and considered going to war with the Soviet Union over Cuba. In the end, war was avoided because Kennedy put his armed forces on high alert to give the sign that placing missiles in Cuba was of grave concern to him. More U2 spy planes were also sent to monitor the situation in Cuba. They were given orders 'not to be shot down over Cuba'.

Naval blockade

Military action alone could not guarantee that the Cuban Missile Crisis would be prevented. Kennedy also prevented war by imposing a naval blockade on Cuba. US naval ships ordered all ships headed for Cuba to turn back. On 24 October 1962, the naval blockade reached a crisis when Soviet ships accompanied by Soviet submarines approached the blockade zone. Fortunately, the Soviet ships turned around without any incident occurring.

Using the UN to internationalize the conflict and gather world opinion

The Cuban Missile Crisis also blew over because the US used the UN to try to internationalize the conflict and get world opinion on their side. At the UN Security Council Meeting which was televised 'live' world-wide, Adlai Stevenson, the US ambassador to UN, showed photographic evidence that the Soviet Union was building nuclear sites in Cuba. This was done to get world opinion on the side of the US.

Adlai Stevenson: "The Soviet Union has created this problem, not the US. The other day you did not deny the existence of these weapons. Today, you again say they do not exist. Let me ask you one simple question. Do you, Ambassador Zorin, deny that the Soviet Union has placed, and is placing, medium- and intermediate-range missiles and sites in Cuba? Yes or no -- don't wait for the translation -- yes or no?"

Valerian Zorin: " "I am not in an American courtroom. I will not answer to questions that a prosecutor would put to the defendant. You will have your answer in due course."

Adlai Stevenson: "You are in the courtroom of world opinion right and you can answer 'yes or no'. You have denied the existence and I want to know if I have understood you correctly."

Valerin Zorin: "You will get your answer in due course. Don't worry. Don't worry"

Adlai Stevenson: "I am prepared to wait for an answer until Hell freezes over. If that is your decision. I am also prepared to

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present the evidence in this room." (Adlai goes on to present photographic evidence of the existence of Soviet missile facilities in Cuba)

Quotes from the movie Thirten Days. Roger Donaldson Film. New Line Cinema

Why is this speech is regarded as one of the best speeches made at the UN Security Council?

Withdrawal of the missiles from Cuba

On 27 October 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis was also diffused at the last moment because Kennedy sent his brother, Robert F Kennedy, to see the Soviet ambassador, Anatoly Dobrynin, to tell him that the missiles in Turkey would be withdrawn within six months. This would reduce Soviet fears of nuclear attacks in Europe.

In return, the Soviet Union should dismantle the missiles in Cuba. The deal to withdraw the missiles in Turkey should however be kept secret. This was because the US was the leading member of NATO and the US should not appear to be withdrawing missiles for their own purpose. The following day, Khrushchev agreed to accept Kennedy's proposals. US missiles were quietly removed the following year from Turkey.

27 October was made even more important because on that same morning, a US spy plane was shot down over Cuba. The President's advisors suggested an immediate attack on Cuba but Kennedy again decided not to invade Cuba.

WHAT WERE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS?

Improved US-Soviet relations

The Cuban missile crisis had long term consequences for both superpowers. Both sides realized that they must never again risk direct nuclear confrontation. Several steps were then taken to ease the Cold War tension. Within the year, direct "hotline" telephone link was set up between the White House and Kremlin to improve communications between both superpowers. US missiles in Turkey and Italy was quietly removed. Prisoners captured during the Bay of Pigs invasion were also exchanged by Castro for $60 million in food, drugs, medicine and cash.

The Cuban missile crisis also led to both sides realizing the importance of disarmament and restricting nuclear arms build-up. In August 1963, a Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed between the US, the Soviet Union and Great Britain. This agreement only allowed nuclear tests to be carried underground.

Both the US and the Soviet Union also realized the importance of preventing other countries for acquiring nuclear weapons. In 1969, both countries agreed on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty. This treaty prohibited the transfer of nuclear technology to other countries.

More proxy wars in Third World Countries

The Cuban Missile Crisis however did not lead to more peace in third world countries. Quite the contrary, the Cuban Missile Crisis made the US more confidant of herself. It made the US realize that the Soviet Union would not go to war over another communist country. It can be argued that this confidence encouraged the United States to help attempts to overthrow socialist and communist governments in Vietnam, Nicaragua and Grenada.

US State Department official's review of the Cuban Missile Crisis

The short-term effects (of the Cuban Missile Crisis) will be very favourable to the US. The US will emerge from this confrontation with increased prestige. The Soviet action demonstrated once again the offensive nature of Soviet motivations. It also demonstrates that the Soviets are not prepared to risk a decisive military showdown with the US over issues involving the extension of Soviet power.

What does this source tell you about US lessons from the Cuban Missile Crisis?

SJ Ball: The Cold War. (London: Arrnold publishers, 1998), p 107

Cuba remained a Communist state

Although the Soviet Union removed missiles and light bombers from Cuba, Cuba continued to remain a communist state till today. Castro were at first angered by Khrushchev's betrayal of Cuba. However, the Soviet Union continued to guarantee the freedom of Cuba as a communist state. The Soviet Union promised that they would come to Cuba's aid of she was attacked. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, Kennedy also promised in a 'gentleman's agreement' that there would be no US invasion of Cuba. Soviet aid and Kennedy's promise made Cuba communist today.

Fall of Khrushchev from power

The Cuban Missile crisis indirectly also led to Khrushchev's fall from power from the Politburo. His bad temper had become an international embarrassment and his mishandling of the Cuban Missile Crisis led to an internal revolt against him. In October 1964, he was removed from power and kept under house arrest for seven years, till his death in 1971.

Tense Soviet-Chinese relations

The Cuban Missile Crisis China also did not bode well for Soviet-Chinese relations. After Soviet Union backed down, China accused the Soviet Union of being a 'paper-tiger' and intensified their criticism of Khrushchev's 'peace coexistence' policy. China then claimed to be the true leader of the

Communist movement. The dispute between China and Soviet Union escalated into a split in the world communist movement. Communist parties around the world split over whether they should be oriented toward Moscow or Beijing.

SUMMARY

International Events Events in Korea Events in Cuba1948 Feb - Communist

seize Czechoslovakia

June - Berlin Blockade begins

Jan - UN calls for elections in North and South Korea. North Korea refuses to participate.

Aug - South Korea was formed

Sept - North Korea was formed

1949 May - Berlin

Blockade ends NATO is formed Sept - China

becomes communist

Sept - Soviet Union explodes their first atomic bomb

1950 McCarthy begins

Witch-hunts

Jan - Dean Acheson announces US policy excludes Korea

June - North Korea invades South Korea. The Korean War begins.

June - US and Korean troops pushed back to Pusan Perimeter

Sept - Inchon Landings lead to North Korean defeats

Oct - Fall of Pyongyan to Americans

Oct - China intervenes in the

Korean War

1951 Jan - Seoul falls a second time to North Korea

March - Seoul recaptured by US troops

Oct - Peace talks begins at Panmunjom

1952 Nov - Eisenhower

wins US elections1953 Jan - March - Stalin

grows ill and dies

Eisenhower threatens to end the Korean War by using nuclear bombs

July 1953 - Korean War ends

1954 March - KGB is

established CIA helps overthrow

Iran and Guatamela government

Khrushchev comes to power in the Soviet Union

1955 May - Warsaw Pact

formed West Germany joins

NATO1956 Feb - Khrushchev

denounces Stalin at 20th Party Congress

April - Cominform dissolved

Nov - Rebellion put down in Hungary

1957 Oct - Russia launches

first satellite into space

1958 Nov - Khrushchev

demands withdrawal of US troops from Berlin

1959 Sept - Khrushchev

visits the US

Fidel Castro comes to power

1960 May - Soviet Union

reveals US Spyplane shot down.

Nov - Kennedy elected US President

Castro declares Cuba to be a communist state

1961 Apr - Soviets send

first man into space June - Kennedy-

Khrushchev Vienna Summit

Aug - Construction of Berlin Wall begins

Oct - US and Soviet Tanks face each other in Berlin

Bay of Pigs Invasion fail

1962 US involvement in

Vietnam increases

May - Khrushchev decides to install missile bases in Cuba

Oct - Cuban Missile Crisis occurs

1963 Hotline established Aug - Nuclear Test

Ban Treaty

US Missiles removed from Turkey and Italy