The Cuban Missile Crisis: Examining the Role of US Reaction to the Cuban Revolution
TITLE
‘US reaction to the Cuban Revolution was the main cause of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
ESSAY
The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 was a pivotal moment in the Cold War and is often viewed as a high point of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. The essay prompt suggests that the US reaction to the Cuban Revolution, particularly its refusal to accept Fidel Castro's rule and attempts to overthrow him, was the main cause of the Cuban Missile Crisis. This view can be assessed by examining the historical context and events leading up to the crisis.
The Cuban Revolution, led by Fidel Castro, brought about a significant shift in power in Cuba in 1959. The US had previously supported the corrupt and oppressive regime of Fulgencio Batista, as much of Cuba's industry and economy were tied to American interests. However, Castro's nationalist and anti-American stance led to tensions between Cuba and the US. Castro's nationalization of American-owned businesses and his alignment with the Soviet Union were seen as direct challenges to US hegemony in the region.
The failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, which was backed by the US government, further escalated tensions between the two countries. Castro's belief that the US was intent on overthrowing him led to his request for Soviet military protection. This request set off a chain of events that culminated in the discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba by US intelligence agencies in October 1962.
Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev's decision to deploy nuclear missiles in Cuba was a response to perceived US aggression and a way to balance the power dynamics between the superpowers. Khrushchev likely saw this as an opportunity to challenge US dominance in the Western Hemisphere and assert Soviet influence in the region. However, the US viewed the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba as a direct threat to national security, as these missiles could potentially reach major American cities.
President John F. Kennedy's response to the crisis was measured and calculated. He imposed a naval blockade around Cuba to prevent further Soviet shipments of military equipment and called for the removal of the missiles. This tense standoff between the two superpowers brought the world to the brink of nuclear war before a diplomatic resolution was reached, with Khrushchev agreeing to remove the missiles in exchange for a US pledge not to invade Cuba.
In assessing the view that the US reaction to the Cuban Revolution was the main cause of the Cuban Missile Crisis, it is evident that US efforts to undermine Castro's government and uphold its influence in Cuba played a significant role in the events leading up to the crisis. The Bay of Pigs invasion, the arms embargo, and the covert Operation Mongoose all contributed to Castro's increasing reliance on Soviet support and Khrushchev's decision to deploy missiles in Cuba.
Overall, while the US reaction to the Cuban Revolution was a key factor in the Cuban Missile Crisis, it was not the sole cause. The complex interplay of Cold War rivalries, ideological conflicts, and power dynamics between the US and the Soviet Union all contributed to the escalation of tensions that nearly resulted in a catastrophic confrontation. The crisis serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of nuclear brinksmanship and the importance of diplomacy in resolving international conflicts.
SUBJECT
HISTORY
PAPER
A LEVEL
NOTES
**US reaction to the Cuban Revolution was the main cause of the Cuban Missile Crisis.**
Assess this view.
The Cuban Revolution brought Fidel Castro to power. US refusal to accept his rule and failure to overthrow him drove Castro into an alliance with the Soviets. The United States wanted to retain their influence in Cuba and during the 1950s had supported the corrupt and oppressive rule of Batista. Much of Cuba's industry was owned by US business and its main export, sugar, was controlled by the United States. Batista’s government was very unpopular, and Fidel Castro led a revolution against him in 1958. Havana fell in 1959 and Batista fled from Cuba. Castro formed a government, but he wanted to be free from US influence. He nationalised businesses and geared the economy to help the poorer Cubans. US refusal to accept Castro’s communist government drove Castro to seek Soviet support. However, the United States regarded itself as the protector of South and Central American countries from outside interference and believed that if Cuba remained communist, this would also spread to Latin America affecting US interests. The United States stopped selling arms to Cuba and considered banning the purchase of sugar and Castro asked the Soviet Union to buy it instead. Some of Batista’s supporters formed part of a US plan to invade Cuba in 1961 and overthrow Castro. The Bay of Pigs landing proved to be a humiliating failure, but Castro was certain that the United States wanted to overthrow him. Kennedy and the CIA then approved Operation Mongoose whereby Cuban exiles and the CIA attacked industry and farmland and assassinated members of Castro’s government. Kennedy was obsessed with defeating Castro and removing any communist threat so close to the United States. The US provided the opportunity for Khrushchev to protect Cuba. Khrushchev was unpopular in the Soviet Union; it was felt that he would not be able to bring about a worldwide communist revolution. By the late 1950s, he was losing support in Russia. He was disliked for his ‘Secret Speech’ in which he criticised the communist regime and many of its leaders. He also faced rebellions in Poland and Hungary in 1956 and the Berlin Wall, erected in 1961, showed that he had to imprison citizens to prevent them from escaping from East Germany. Relations had also deteriorated with China. The opportunity to assist Cuba made it look as if he was helping a communist state in danger and he might have the chance to spread communism to Latin America. He had also underestimated Kennedy and thought that he could risk putting intermediate-range ballistic missiles on Cuba in 1962. He believed that Kennedy was weak because of the Bay of Pigs invasion. Kennedy had not taken military action after the building of the Berlin Wall and Khrushchev believed he would not be able to deal with Soviet military presence in Cuba. Khrushchev certainly misjudged the situation in 1962. He felt justified in helping to spread communism and protecting Castro. The crisis began with his decision to install intermediate and medium-range nuclear missiles in Cuba. Kennedy saw U2 pictures of the missiles on 16 October 1962; they had been secretly deployed by Khrushchev in April. The Americans had been lied to about the Soviet intentions making a US response inevitable. Such missiles could threaten most US cities. However, he could have defended Cuba with conventional weapons. It seems likely that Khrushchev wanted to appear to have greater military strength than the United States. Appearing to defend the Cuban Revolution gave Khrushchev the opportunity to try to score a nuclear success over the Americans.