Events in Cuba before 1961
- General Batista - Cuban right-wing dictator overthrown by the Communists in 1959 led by Fidel Castro
- Fidel Castro - Communist leader of Cuba up to 1959-2008
- Eisenhower - US President up to 1953-1961
- Kennedy - US President up to 1961-1968
- Khrushchev - Leader of the USSR up to 1955-1964
- Bay of Pigs - Failed invasion of Cuba by the US in 1961
Bay of Pigs invasion - 1961
What was the aim for the Bay of Pigs invasion?
- Invade Cuba and overthrow the new Communist leader; Fidel Castro, as well with helping Cuban exiles evacuate
Who was now allies with Cuba?
- USSR was allied with Cuba
Who was tasked with making plans to invade Cuba?
- The CIA was tasked by President Eisenhower
What was the plan that Kennedy went with?
- Exiles would land in the Bay of Pigs
- They would secure a beach
- Start guerilla warfare
Why did the Cuban population not rise against Communism?
- Castro was popular and liked by Cuban citizens so they did not start an uprising
- Cuban citizens furious about the US invading Cuba
Cuba - Background
Where is Cuba?
- Large island
- 160km south of Florida
What did Americans own on the island?
- Most businesses
- Huge naval base
Why did the American's support the Cuban ruler, Batista?
- He was opposed to Communism
Why was the opposition leader, Fidel Castro so well liked in Cuba?
- Batista was corrupt and unpopular
- Castro was charming, clever and ruthless
- Had a vision of a better cuba and won the majority of Cubans
Reponse of the USA to Castro's rule
Why did relations between Cuba and USA grow worse?
- Governments different in philosophy
- Cuba was Communist
- America was Capitalist
What did President Eisenhower authorise in June 1960?
- Authorised the CIA to investigate ways to overthrow Castro
How did Castro respond to US hostility?
- Assured the US that they were safe and they could keep their naval base
- Allied with the USSR and signed a trade agreement giving Castro $100 million
Bay of Pigs - 1961
Why did the USA act in 1961?
- US wasnt tolerating a Soviet satellite in their sphere of influence
What did the Americans plan to do?
What happened at the Bay of Pigs
- Supplied the 1,400 exiles with arms, equipment and transport
- In April 1961, the exiles landed and were met with 20,000 Cuban troops with tanks and modern weaponary
- Castro captured and killed them within days
Results of the invasion
What did the invasion at the Bay of Pigs suggest about the USA
- It was unwilling to get directly involved with Cuba
What do historians argue about the Bay of Pigs
- Encouraged the spread of Communism
- Suggested to the USSR Kennedy was weak
- Made Castro and Khrushchev suspicious of US Foreign Policy