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Questions and Answers
What was a primary concern for the relationship between Cuba and the USSR?
What was a primary concern for the relationship between Cuba and the USSR?
- Cuba's interest in democracy
- Strategic missiles (correct)
- Cuban security after the Bay of Pigs (correct)
- USSR's warm relations with Cuba (correct)
What event in 1960 increased tensions in USA-USSR relations?
What event in 1960 increased tensions in USA-USSR relations?
1960 Paris summit and U2 spy plane incident
Which of the following were factors contributing to US hostility towards Cuba?
Which of the following were factors contributing to US hostility towards Cuba?
- Bay of Pigs invasion (correct)
- Economic restrictions (correct)
- Operation Mongoose (correct)
- Cuban democracy
What was a notable characteristic of the arms race during the 1950s and 1960s?
What was a notable characteristic of the arms race during the 1950s and 1960s?
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What major action did Castro take after overthrowing Batista in January 1959?
What major action did Castro take after overthrowing Batista in January 1959?
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Study Notes
Relationship between Cuba and USSR
- The USSR provided strategic missiles to Cuba for enhanced security following the Bay of Pigs invasion.
- Friendly relations were cultivated to influence Cuba's shift toward communism.
Deterioration of USA-USSR relations
- Tensions escalated after the 1960 Paris summit and U2 spy plane incident.
- President Kennedy, perceived as young and inexperienced, faced attempts at intimidation by Khrushchev.
- Significant standoff during the Berlin Crisis, particularly at Checkpoint Charlie in October 1961.
US hostility to Cuba
- The US prepared for an invasion by conducting drills on a Pacific island, prompting Cuba to mobilize its army.
- The Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 was a failed US attempt to destabilize Castro's government.
- Operation Mongoose was initiated to eliminate Castro, supported by economic restrictions limiting Cuba's trade strictly to the USSR.
Arms race
- The arms race intensified throughout the 1950s and 60s, primarily focused on thermonuclear capabilities.
- The USSR's perceived missile gap necessitated an increase in missile stockpiling.
- The Tsar Bomba, tested in 1961, symbolized the peak of the arms race, despite the USSR initially having only four operational missiles.
- Constant missile buildup contributed to further tensions between superpowers.
Cuban revolution
- The Cuban Revolution, marked by Castro's overthrow of Batista in January 1959, was pivotal in shaping US-Cuba relations.
- Following the revolution, Castro nationalized American-owned oil refineries and land, inciting US resentment.
- In 1961, Castro openly declared a Marxist alignment while within the sphere of influence of the USA, aiming to curtail American dominance in Cuba.
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