Origins of the Cuban Missile Crisis 1962
In 1959, the focus of the Cold War moved from Europe to Central America and to Cuba. The crisis that developed over Cuba in October 1962 almost resulted in nuclear war and worldwide destruction.
The USA discovered that the USSR was constructing missile sites for nuclear weapons in Cuba. The missiles had been sent there without the USA's knowledge.
Cuban Revolution, 1959
Since 1952, Cuba had been controlled by the right-wing dictator General Fulgencia Batista.
American investment controlled much of Cuban business, and the country's economy relied on sales of sugar to the USA. The US also supplied weapons to Batista's government.
Throughout Basista's dictatorship, attempts were made by different groups to overthrow him. During ongoing unrest, the US stopped sending weapons in March 1958.
On 1st January 1959, under the combined leadership of three groups, the 26th of July Movement (led by Fidel Castro), the Revolutionary Directorate, and the Popular Socialist Party, the revolutionary movement finally overthrew Batista.
The USA was one of the first countries to recognise the new Cuban government. In April 1959, Castro visited the US, and met with Vice-President Richard Nixon. After their meeting, Nixon concluded that Castro was either incredibly naive about Communism or under Communist discipline - my guess is the former
. Nixon also noted that this was a minority view in the US Government.
Growing tension between Cuba and the USA
On taking control of government, Castro looked to maintain this power, to deal with the country's economic and social issues, and to encourage development. The country's overdependence on the USA was a potential issue.
By the summer of 1959, Castro introduced the first in a series of Agrarian Reforms that took control of large farms and plantations, including those owned by US companies, and dividing some among individual farmers.
He also increased tax on imports from the US, which had previously been taxed at a lower rate than goods from other countries.
February 1960 - Cuba and the USSR entered into a new trade deal.
June 1960 - Esso, Texaco and Shell refused to process oil from the USSR in their refineries in Cuba. In response the Cuban Government took control of the refineries.
July 1960 - Eisenhower reduced the quota of sugar imported to the US from Cuba. The Soviet Union responded by agreeing to purchase the remaining sugar.
October 1960 - The US prohibited exports to Cuba, except for some foods, medicines and medical equipment. In response the Cuban Government nationalised all US businesses on the island.
January 1961 - The US ended diplomatic ties with Cuba.
Castro support for Communism
Cuba is 90 miles from Florida. The USA became very worried about the influence of communism and the Soviet Union so close to its shores. According to the Domino Theory, communism could spread to South America or even to the USA itself.
Within the US Government, assessments were made of the situation in Cuba, and theories of how to deal with this potential threat were explored.
In April 1960, an internal US Government memo noted the high level of support for Castro, and noted growing communist influence in the Cuban Government. The memo suggested that any external 'militant opposition' to Castro would strengthed his position and noted that The only foreseeable means of alienating internal support is through disenchantment and disaffection based on economic dissatisfaction and hardship.
Bay of Pigs Disaster, 1961
John F Kennedy became President of the USA in 1961 and inherited a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) plan to overthrow Castro by force. On 17 April, 1500 Cuban exiles trained by the CIA landed in Cuba. The US Air Force was meant to protect the exiles.
International opposition led to the withdrawal of air support and the exiles were left exposed. Castro’s troops equipped with Soviet tanks and artillery defeated the Cuban exile army. By 20 April, the exiles were either dead or in prison. This was a humiliation for the USA and the new President Kennedy.
Castro support from USSR
The USA boycott of Cuban goods meant that the Cubans were struggling to survive. They needed a new trading partner and Castro feared a new attack from the USA. He looked to the USSR, who were willing to provide assistance.
Khrushchev
Kennedy was a new young President and Khrushchev gambled that Kennedy would be weak and indecisive. Kennedy had not taken action against the building of the Berlin Wall and Khrushchev assumed that he wouldn't take any action against Soviet missiles in Cuba.
Khrushchev was under pressure - building the Berlin Wall had made communist governments look unpopular. NATO had also placed nuclear missiles in Turkey which could reach Moscow.