Mr. KochUS History B

Forest Lake High School

1959 – Fidel Castro overthrew US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista• Took over private

property (including US-owned)

• US feared spread of Communism/revolution in Latin America

• US refused to recognize Castro – he allies w/ USSR

CIA trains anti-Castro Cubans to overthrow, invade

April 17, 1961 – invasion a total disaster• Troops never made it

ashore• Humiliating – viewed

as a sign of poor leadership Upset many Latin

American nations

Khrushchev proposes permanently dividing Berlin (E/W)• Wanted to cut off flow of E

Germans to west JFK fearful of intentions –

conquer Europe?• Kennedy gets $3billion to

build defense In response, Soviets

begin building Berlin Wall – Aug 1961

After Bay of Pigs, Soviets pledge support for Cuba

Oct 16, 1962 – US spy planes photograph Soviet missile bases being built in Cuba

Proximity makes it a major threat

Both sides prepared to use nuclear weapons

JFK faces extremely tough situation/decision

Oct 22 – Kennedy speaks on national TV• Warned public & told

Soviets to remove weapons

Oct 24 – JFK orders “quarantine” (not “blockade”)• Prevent more Soviet

missiles from reaching Cuba

Oct 25 – Soviet ships approached line• Called back at last

moment by Khrushchev Oct 26 – Khrushchev

sends letter saying will remove missiles if US ends quarantine and stays out of Cuba

???

Had come extremely close to nuclear disaster!• Took steps to start limiting risk

“hot-line” b/w leaders Limited Test Ban Treaty