the cuban missile crisis - st. agnes academic high … › ourpages › auto › 2014 › 8 ›...

Aim: How did the Cold War lead to global conflict? Do Now: Write down inferences based on the pictures

The Cuban Missile Crisis

Cuba! • Cuban Revolution: Fidel Castro’s armed revolt which

overthrew the U.S. backed Cuban President Batista in 1959.

– Impact – U.S. passed an embargo on Cuba in 1961.

Ernesto “Che” Guevara – Leader of the Cuban Revolution

Fidel Castro – Cuban victory parade

Cuba – Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961) • Cuban exiles, trained in U.S.

invaded Cuba in an attempt to overthrow Castro. They were defeated by Castro’s army

• Major foreign policy failure for President John F. Kennedy

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) • October 1962.

• Soviets install nuclear missiles in Cuba – pointed at U.S.

Cuban Missile Crisis, cont’d • JFK places Cuba in “quarantine.”

• Soviets dismantle missiles.

• U.S. removes missiles in Turkey, promises not to invade Cuba.

Impact of the Cuban Missile Crisis • Closest U.S. & U.S.S.R.

ever get to nuclear war.

• “Hot Line” made between U.S. & U.S.S.R.

• Start of détente (cooling-down period)

U.S./Cuba Relations Today?

• Read NYT Upfront: “Dangerous Crossing”

1. Why do so many Cubans risk the dangerous crossing to Florida?

2. What reforms has Raul Castro enacted since becoming President of Cuba?

3. Do you think President Obama is doing the right thing in working to lift the embargo against Cuba? Why or why not?