COLD WAR: Bay of Pigs

COLD WAR: Bay of Pigs

Nicole Plonski

Friday, June 10, 2016

1B

THE BIG IDEA

PREPARING FOR THE INVASION

The U.S.-Cuba relationship had its tumultuous start in the Cold War, intensifying following the unsuccessful Bay of Pigs invasion.

Prior to Kennedy's inauguration, President Eisenhower authorized the recruitment of 1,400 Cuban exiles living in Miami. Kennedy allowed for the continuation of the plan in which the CIA trained and equipped the army of exiles. All this was funded by the government.

FIDEL CASTRO VS. UNITES STATES

On January 1, 1959 Cuban nationalist Fidel Castro overthrew General Fulgencio Batista, who was an ally to Americans. Due to distrust and fear of losing control of American-owned sugar plantations, cattle ranches, mines, etc. the U.S. State Department and the Central Intelligence Agency attempted to push Castro from power for two years. It was in April of 1961 that the CIA finally took full-scale initiative.

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THE INVASION

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THE INVASION

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JOHN F. KENNEDY

John F. Kennedy was the new American president at the time. Despite Kennedy's advisors telling him Castro was not a real threat to their country, he did not listen. He was pro-invasion, believing it would show Russia, China, and even skeptical Americans that he was serious about winning the cold war.

However, Kennedy did have his doubts and worries. He hoped the Soviets would not retaliate or view the invasion as an act of war, and that the CIA would keep their word in solidifying U.S. involvement a secret.

On April 15, 1961 a group of Cuban exiles took off from Nicaragua in American bombers painted to look like stolen Cuban planes with intentions to destroy Castro's air forces. To their surprise, Castro knew about their plans and had already moved his planes, but it was too late to go back.

On April 17, the Cuban exiles began their invasion at an isolated spot on the island's southern shore known as Bay of Pigs. To Castro's benefit, a radio station on the beach broadcasted every detail of the happening to listeners across Cuba. Suddenly, Castro's troops pinned the invaders. The exiles' ships were also sunken by the unexpected coral reefs. After less than a day of fighting, 114 people were killed and over 1,000 imprisoned.

"Cuba Sí, Yanquis No"

- Fidel Castro on Cuban control of their nation

THEN WHAT?

Between December 1962 and July 1965, the survivors of the imprisonment were returned to the U.S. after Castro agreed to release them in exchange for $53,000,000 worth of food and medicine.

The disastrous results of the Bay of Pigs invasion greatly impacted the Kennedy administration. In order to make up for it, the administration initiated Operation Mongoose. This was a plan made to damage Cuba's government and economy and possibly assassinate the enemy...Castro.