What were the main causes of the Cuban
Missile Crisis of 1962?
Learning objective – to understand what
caused the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.
I can describe the
different causes of
the Cuban Missile
Crisis.
Grade D
I can explain and
make links between
the different causes
of Cuban Missile
Crisis.
Grade B
I can explain the
links between and
the importance of
the different causes
of
the
Cuban
Missile Crisis.
Grade A and A*
John F. Kennedy (1917-63)
 Was US President between
1960-63.
 Was the youngest man
and the first Catholic
elected as US President.
 His foreign policy opposed
communism and he was
determined to defend any
country against it.
Nikita Khrushchev (1894-71)
 Became President of USSR
in 1958 after a three year
power struggle.
 His original foreign policy
was based on ‘peaceful coexistence’ which meant
that USSR and US needed
a way to live with each
other.
Fidel Castro (1926-)
 A trained lawyer who
led a two year rising in
which he became
leader of Cuba in 1959.
A
communist,
he
wanted to strengthen
his ties with USSR and
China.
Why was Cuba so important in the
Cold War?
Cuba, located in
the Caribbean Sea,
is only 70 miles
from the US coast.
In the 1950s, USA
supported
the
Cuban
dictator,
Fulgencio Batista
who
antiCommunist
but
corrupt.
Up to 1959, USA dominated Cuban industry [particularly sugar and tobacco] and
had a significant military presence. Also many US tourists visited Cuba.
Why was the 1959 Cuban Revolution a
turning point?
Batista was overthrown by
Fidel
Castro
and
his
supporters in 1959.
Castro
disliked
US
dominance in Cuba and
attacked it by seizing control
of the sugar and tobacco
industries, taking US land in
Cuba and rejecting US
investment.
Furious, the US refused to
buy Cuban sugar which led
to Castro making a series of
anti- American speeches.
Seeing an opportunity, the USSR offered Cuba
assistance giving aid, machinery and money trying to
foster an alliance on the USA’s doorstep.
Why did Kennedy decide to launch the
Bay of Pigs Invasion in 1961?
Relations between USA and
Cuba were broken in January
1961
when
diplomatic
relations were halted.
Relations between USA and
USSR were returning to a
freeze with the U2 incident
and the building of the
Berlin Wall.
All US attempts to assassinate Castro had failed and Kennedy was committed to
the policy of Containment – trying to stop the spread of Communism across the
globe – particularly to its neighbours. He felt he had to be seen to do something
to combat the threat of growing Communism in Cuba.
How did Kennedy prepare for the Bay
of Pigs invasion?
Many Cubans had fled to
America during the Cuban
Revolution.
Kennedy
supplied
weapons
and
training to 1,500 of these
Cubans for an invasion to
topple Castro’s regime.
This invasion was called
‘Operation Pluto’ and was
launched in April 1961 when
the Cuban exiles landed at
the Bay of Pigs, south of
Havana.
The invasion was a disaster as Cuba easily brushed
the attack off with 20,000 men and weapons
supplied by the USSR. The invasion lasted 3 days.
What was the impact of the Bay of Pigs
invasion?
USA broke off all trade with
Cuba.
US citizens were forbidden
to travel to Cuba.
Kennedy was publicly
humiliated and had to make
a TV broadcast explaining
his decision to back an
invasion.
Castro’s position in Cuba
was strengthened.
Cuba and USSR established
closer ties.
Khrushchev was convinced
that Kennedy was a weak
leader.
Significance pyramid task
List six causes of the Cuban Missile Crisis – for example, the
Cuban Revolution of 1959.
Once you have your six causes, list them in order of significance.
Then write them on your significance pyramid sheet with the
most important cause at the peak of the pyramid.
Write an explanation for each cause why you have placed it
where you have in your significance pyramid.
Pick three words out from this word cloud and explain
their significance to the causes of the Cuban Missile
Crisis.
Home Learning task
Read the hexagonal learning sheet carefully. Ask any
questions before you leave.
Home Learning task due for next lesson.