1. Section 1 Foreign Policy Cuba and Berlin
Chapter 20
Section 1
Foreign Policy
Cuba and Berlin

2. A New Military Policy
Must redefine nation’s nuclear strategy
Flexible response – to allow the U.S. to fight limited wars around the world while maintaining a nuclear balance of power with the Soviets
JFK increased non-nuclear forces

4. Crisis over Cuba
Fidel Castro overthrows Cuban dictator Fulgencio Bastisa in 1959
Promises to eliminate “poverty, inequality, and dictatorship”
Castro nationalizes American refineries and sugar companies
Relies increasingly on Soviet aid
Large exile community grows in Miami, Florida

5. Bay of Pigs Failure to oust Castro Embarrassment Ransom for captured
March 1960, President Eisenhower gives permission to CIA to train Cuban exiles
April 17,1961- over 1,000 Cuban exiles land on southern coast
25,000 Cuban soldiers with Soviet tanks, jets were waiting
Failure to oust Castro
Embarrassment
Ransom for captured
JFK distrust of CIA?

7. Cuban Missile Crisis
October 14, photos taken by American planes reveal Soviet missile bases in Cuba
October 22, JFK informs America of missiles and states intention to have them removed
U.S. Navy prepares to quarantine Cuba extending up to 500 miles
Soviet ships approach U.S. Navy blockade and………

9. Kennedy and Khrushchev Take the Heat
Could have resolved conflict without threat of nuclear war
Passed up a chance to oust Castro
Cuban exiles blame Democrats for losing Cuba
Khrushchev
Loses prestige
Be replaced in a few years

11. Crisis over Berlin
Berlin Wall – concrete wall that separated East Berlin and West Berlin from 1961 to 1989, built by the Communist East German government to prevent its citizens from fleeing to the West

13. The Berlin Wall became the iconic image and the hated symbol of the Cold War
The “death strip” stretched like a barren moat around West Berlin, with patrols, floodlights, electric fences, and vehicle traps between the inner and outer walls
Walls and other barriers 10–15 feet high surrounded West Berlin. The length of the barriers around the city totaled about 110 miles

14. Crisis over Berlin cont.
Almost 3 million East Germans had fled Communist rule
These refugees spoke out against Comm. Rule and weakened E. German economy
The wall raised tensions between the 2 superpowers
However, it did greatly slow down the flood of refugees leaving E. Germany
Became the symbol of Communist oppression
In 1961, Khrushchev threatened to cut off access to West Berlin (like Stalin’s blockade in 1948)

15. Ways to Ease Tension (1963)
Hot line – communication link allowing leaders of U.S. and Soviet Union to contact each other in times of crisis
Limited Test Ban Treaty – U.S. and Soviet Union agreed not to conduct nuclear weapons tests in the atmosphere