Cuban Crisis

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Why did the American president believe that Cuba’s friendship was important?
As Cuba was only 145km (90 miles) away + part of the US sphere of influence
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How did the USA respond to the Cuban revolution?
America banned the import of Cuban sugar – this threatened to bankrupt the Cuban economy
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What did Eisenhower believe was the best way to solve the Cuban problem?
That the USA should assassinate Castro
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How did the US president go about the Bay of Pigs incident?
About 1500 Cuban exiles based in Florida had some backing from the USA to invade Cuba and replace Cuba’s communist government and replace it with a capitalist pro-American government, were trained, equipped & received money from the CIA.
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Why did Khrushchev station Russian nuclear weapons on Cuban soil?
As it would deter America from attempting another invasion and also place Russian nuclear weapons within striking distance of the USA (Khrushchev could attack America without spending large amounts of money developing inter-continental ballistic miss
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Why did Khrushchev decide to put missiles on Cuba?
Khrushchev had come to the conclusion after the Vienna summit that Kennedy was inexperienced and could be pushed around. He also wanted NATO missiles from Turkey on the borders of the USSR.
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What options did President Kennedy have?
Do nothing, Surgical air attack (immediate selected air attack to destroy the nuclear bases), Invasion (all out invasion of Cuba by air & sea), Blockade (US navy would ban the USSR bringing in any further military supplies to Cuba by would stopping &
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Who were the hawks and doves?
The hawks = aggressive policy (some America generals believed that nuclear war was inevitable). Doves = caution, diplomatic strategies for best chance of peace
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What were the pros and cons of doing nothing?
Pros: America had more nuclear weapons anyway and mustn’t over react. Con: USSR lied about Cuban missiles, nothing = sign of weakness.
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What were the pros and cons of Invasion?
Pros: Would get rid of missiles & Castro, American forces already trained and ready. Cons: Soviet response either within soviet sphere of influence or to protect Cuba.
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What were the Pros and Cons of the Blockade?
Pros: Put the burden of what to do next on Khrushchev. USA had a strong navy and different options if it didn’t work. It would show that the USA were serious. Cons: Direct act of war. Didn’t get rid of the missiles. USSR retaliate with another Berlin
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What were the Pros and Cons of the Diplomatic pressures?
Pro: avoid conflict. Cons: If US forced to back down = sign of weakness
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What were the thirteen days?
The period at the height of the Cuban missile Crisis which there seemed to be the greatest threat of a war
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What happened on the 16th October 1962?
Kennedy is informed of nuclear missiles on Cuba
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What happened on the 20th October 1962?
Kennedy decides to impose a naval blockade (to prevent further missiles)
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What happened on the 21st October 1962?
Kennedy gives a public address officially declaring the blockade and calling on Khrushchev to recall his ships
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What happened on the 23rd October 1962?
Khrushchev sends a letter to Kennedy stating that Soviet ships will break through the blockade
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What happened on the 24th October 1962?
Khrushchev issues a statement that the USSR can launch nuclear weapons if America goes to war
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What happened on the 25th October?
American & Soviet armed forces told to prepare for war (high alert). Kennedy writes to Khrushchev asking him to withdraw missiles from Cuba
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What happened on the 26th October 1962?
Kennedy responds to letter with offer to withdraw Soviet missiles from Cuba if guaranteed US won’t invade Cuba
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What happened on the 27th October 1962?
Khrushchev receives intelligence of US plans to invade Cuba in 24hrs. Proposes deal to withdraw Cuban missiles if guaranteed US won’t invade Cuba & will withdraw their missiles from Turkey.
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What happened on 28th October 1962?
What happened on 28th October 1962?
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

How did the USA respond to the Cuban revolution?

Back

America banned the import of Cuban sugar – this threatened to bankrupt the Cuban economy

Card 3

Front

What did Eisenhower believe was the best way to solve the Cuban problem?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

How did the US president go about the Bay of Pigs incident?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Why did Khrushchev station Russian nuclear weapons on Cuban soil?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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