Cuba During the Cold War

First World – United States & its allies. Following WWII – the political grouping into three “worlds”: First World – United States & its allies. Second World – U.S.S.R. & its allies Third World – developing nations, many newly independent. nonaligned nations not officially aligned with the two superpowers. Throughout the 1950s, the United States had supported Cuba’s unpopular dictator Fulgencio Batista. Though he used violent methods of suppression, he remained friendly to U.S. business interests in the country. CUBA 1. How did revolution affect Cuba? At first, the economy, health care, & literacy improved; however, Castro’s harsh dictatorship violated human rights. 1959 – Fidel Castro leads a revolution in Cuba. T. Loessin / Akins High School

Communism in Cuba 2 In the late 1950s, Fidel Castro turned Cuba into a communist state. Castro: nationalized foreign-owned sugar plantations and other businesses put most land under government control distributed land to peasants

Communism in Cuba Effects of communist rule: 2 Effects of communist rule: Castro imposed harsh authoritarian rule. Conditions for the poor improved, basic health care was provided for all, the literacy rate increased, and equality for women was promoted. Critics were jailed or silenced and hundreds of thousands fled to the United States. When the Cold War ended, Soviet aid disappeared, and Cuba’s economy collapsed.

US Response 1959-1961 – USA opposes Castro rule in Cuba April 1961 – CIA organized Bay of Pigs Invasion a full-scale invasion of Cuba by 1,400 American-trained Cubans who had fled their homes when Castro took over. Invaders were badly outnumbered by Castro’s troops Invaders surrendered after less than 24 hours of fighting.

Why did the United States support the invasion? 1961 – Castro turns back Cuban invasion at Bay of Pigs. Why did the United States support the invasion? U.S. relations with Cuba had deteriorated as a result of Castro’s economic policies. The U.S. was embarrassed by the failed invasion attempt. Cuban poster warning before invasion showing a soldier armed with a Soviet-made RPD machine gun. The new Soviet leader, Nikita Khrushchev, believed the United States had been so embarrassed by the incident that it would not dare put up further resistance to Soviet expansion (including the support of communist leaders like Castro) in Latin America…. …..Kennedy was about to prove Khrushchev wrong. T. Loessin / Akins High School

1962 – United States demands that Soviets withdraw missiles from Cuba. Missile sites in Cuba. Maximum range of Soviet missiles in Cuba. T. Loessin / Akins High School

T. Loessin / Akins High School

3. How was the Cuban missile crisis resolved? 1962 – United States demands that Soviets withdraw missiles from Cuba. 3. How was the Cuban missile crisis resolved? The U.S. blockade of Cuba and troops on alert in Florida led Khruschev to remove missiles in return for a U.S. promise not to invade Cuba (and, behind the scenes deal for the U.S. to remove its missiles in Turkey). Missile sites in Cuba. Maximum range of Soviet missiles in Cuba. T. Loessin / Akins High School