1. Bay of Pigs

2. Cuban Revolution 1950s – US supported unpopular dictator Batista Revolution overthrew Batista and placed Fidel Castro in power (1959)

3. Fidel Castro Benefits: healthcare, improved economy and better conditions for women Criticisms: Harsh dictator, suspended elections, executed opponents, seized private businesses

4. US v. Castro Castro took over US companies in Cuba, made anti-American speeches – US responded with a trade embargo Castro turned to the Soviet Union for economic and military aid by signing a trade agreement with the Soviet Union

5. Bay of Pigs 1960- CIA trained Cuban exiles to invade Cuba Poor planning, lack of US air cover and little support from Cuban citizens made invasion a failure

6. Bay of Pigs mistakes US bombers from Nicaragua failed to destroy Cuban Air Force One damaged bomber landed in Key West revealing the US involvement in the invasion Cuban troops prepared for land invasion – 1200 invaders captured and imprisoned

7. Significance of Bay of Pigs Invasion strengthened Cuba’s ties to Soviet Union because Castro looked to Soviet Union for protection Invasion was a failure and embarrassment to US Showed Khrushchev the US would not resist Soviet expansion into Latin America