Aim: Describe Superpower Confrontations in Latin America after World War II

Confrontations in Latin America Post WWII, industrialization, population growth, & gap between rich & poor led Latin American nations to seek aid from both superpowers US involvement in Latin America began long before WWII American businesses backed leaders who protected US interests After war, communism & nationalistic feelings inspired revolutionary movements 2

Fidel Castro & the Cuban Revolution 1950’s: Cuba ruled by an unpopular dictator, Fulgenico Batista Cuban resentment led to revolution Jan 1959, Batista overthrown Lawyer named Fidel Castro led revolution Many praised Castro but he was a harsh dictator Suspended elections, jailed or executed his opponents, & tightly controlled the press 1960: CIA began to train anti-Castro Cuban exiles April 1961: invaded Cuba landing at the Bay of Pigs Castro’s forces easily defeated invaders 3

Nuclear Face-Off: Cuban Missile Crisis Failed Bay of Pigs invasion convinced Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev that US would not resist Soviet expansion in Latin America July 1962: Khrushchev began building 42 missile sites in Cuba Oct: Pres. Kennedy declared missiles were threat to US mainland Kennedy demand for removal of Soviet missiles put the US & Soviet Union on collision course for nuclear war Khrushchev agreed to remove missiles in return for a US promise not to invade Cuba Resolution: Crisis left Castro dependent on Soviet support Soviet aid to Cuba ended in 1991 4

Civil War in Nicaragua US had funded the Nicaraguan dictatorship of Anastasio Somazo 1979, Communist Sandinista rebels toppled Somoza’s son US & Soviet Union gave aid to Sandinistas & leader Daniel Ortega US supported Nicaraguan anti-Communist forces called the Contras or contrarevolucionarios Civil war in Nicaragua lasted more than a decade 1990: Pres. Ortega agreed to hold free elections 5