Two facets of Kennedy’s actions as a president

• Kennedy endorsed anti-communist ideas• His first year in office marked by lack of

leadership• His management of foreign affairs was rather

poor : overreaction at the first signs of pro-soviet activity in Latin America

• Was criticized for « pointless obsessiveness » about security

• Kennedy’s most serious blunder:• Influenced by anti-Castro exiles• Their plan: invade Cuba counting on the support of

the local population• 2,000 men had been trained by the CIA for this

purpose by the former US gvt • After much thought, Kennedy authorized the attack.• Attack took place on April 17, 1961

• Failure• The US criticized for its involvement• Kennedy appeared as impulsive, without principles.• Castro admitted he was a Marxist and reinforced his

connections with the USSR• In August 1961 : Khruschev closed the border bw east Berlin

and west Berlin• Erected a wall across the city to check the dissidents’exodus

• The USSR resumed testing nuclear weapons• The US tested nuclear weapons too• + extended the American space program

Hope to send man on the moon 10 years later• + increased military spending

• More constructive US initiatives :• Kennedy visited Latin America• Established the Agency for International

development :administer economic aid throughout the world

• Established the Peace Corps : mobilize Aan idealism and tecnical skills to help developing nations

• Outcome : NO EFFECT on the Russians

• In the summer : • Khruschev moved military equipment and

thousands of soviet technicians into Cuba.• Missiles were imported too• Launching areas were constructed in Cuba•

A Reckless Challenge• In the summer : • Khruschev moved military

equipment and thousands of soviet technicians into Cuba.

• Missiles were imported too• Launching areas were

constructed in Cuba•

Kennedy’s reaction• American intelligence

noticed these moves• Kennedy ordered U-2

reconnaissance planes to photograph these sites

• Got proof that missiles threatened the nothern part of America but also Lima and Peru

• Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko pretended moves aimed at defense only

• Khruschev backed down• Withdrew missiles in

exchange for pledge that the US would not invade Cuba

• Cut back military establishment

• Limited options for the US• Danger of World War• Kennedy took immediate action• Went before the US nation on TV

revealing the provocative action from the USSR

• Announced that the navy would intervene

• Called on Khruschev to dismantle the missiles bases and remove weapons able to strike the USA

• Kennedy lifted the blockade

Concerning Kennedy Some considered his reaction was exaggerated No evidence the soviets were planning an attack The missiles were perhaps just a deterrent Demanding their withdrawal might have led to a

nuclear war, but he did not really have the choice Kennedy’s determination, repaired the damage

done by the Bay of Pigs crisis

• Concerning the tension between the two blocks :• Creation of a hotline to allow direct communication

between the leaders of the two blocks in case of crisis• Castro refused to cooperate so withdrawal was verified by

aerial photos• Awareness on the part of the soviets of what a nuclear war

could mean• July 1963 all countries but France and China signed a treaty

banning the testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere• Better acceptance of the fact that no ideology could

dominate the world • Removal of Khruschev in oct 1964