CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS

1950’S US supported a very unpopular Cuban

dictator The people began to revolt and Fidel Castro

led the revolution and came to power At first Castro was a good leader

Improved the economy Literacy Health care

But he was very harsh Suspended elections Executed opponents Censorship

1950’S As Castro improved economic

conditions he took over US owned sugar mills and refineries

In response Eisenhower stopped all trade with Cuba

Castro turned to the Soviets for help and military assistance

1960’S – BAY OF PIGS In 1960 the CIA

planned an invasion of Cuba and got anti-Castro exiles to carry out the plan

In April 1961, these exiles landed in the Bay of Pigs in Cuba.

President Kennedy refused to provide air support

Castro’s forces defeated the invaders, humiliating the US

U.S. PRESIDENT

CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS The failed Bay of Pigs invasion convinced

Khrushchev, the new Soviet leader, that the US would not stop the Soviets in Latin America

In July1962, Khrushchev began building 42 missile sites in Cuba

In October the US found the site and demanded the Soviets remove the missiles

The US tried to block the Soviets in Cuba and set up troops in Florida, ready to invade Cuba

People thought WWIII was going to begin or a nuclear invasion

CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS U.S placed missiles in Turkey –

demanding removal of the USSR missiles in Cuba

Fortunately, Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles and in return the US promised not to invade Cuba

The Cubans repaid the Soviets by backing Communist Revolutions in Latin America and Africa

The relationship between Cuba and the USSR ended in 1991