Causes of the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962 Flashcards

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Before 1959, why was Cuba important to the USA?

The USA owned many businesses in Cuba and bought most of Cuba’s sugar, so it cared a lot about the island.

How did the Cuban Revolution of 1959 increase tension with the USA?

Fidel Castro took power, made Cuba more communist and took over US-owned land and businesses, which angered the USA.

How did the USA’s early actions against Castro push Cuba towards the USSR?

The USA cut trade with Cuba and stopped buying its sugar, so Castro turned to the Soviet Union for money and support.

What was the Bay of Pigs invasion and how did it help cause the Cuban Missile Crisis?

In 1961, US-backed Cuban exiles tried and failed to invade Cuba at the Bay of Pigs, which made Castro fear another US attack and seek stronger Soviet protection.

Why did Castro want Soviet missiles on Cuba?

He wanted to deter another US invasion and to protect his communist government by having powerful weapons on the island.

Why did Khrushchev, the Soviet leader, agree to put nuclear missiles in Cuba?

He wanted to defend a communist ally, challenge the USA near its own coast, and improve the USSR’s nuclear position.

How did US nuclear missiles in Turkey help cause the Cuban Missile Crisis?

US missiles in Turkey could hit the Soviet Union quickly, so the USSR wanted missiles in Cuba to threaten the USA in a similar way.

How did the nuclear arms race make the Cuban Missile Crisis more likely?

Both superpowers kept building more and better nuclear weapons and wanted any advantage, so placing missiles abroad seemed worthwhile and less risky to them.

Why was Cuba’s location a key cause of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Cuba is only about 150 kilometres from the USA, so Soviet missiles there could reach many US cities very quickly, which the USA could not accept.

What overall Soviet aim in the Cold War helped lead to missiles in Cuba?

The USSR wanted to spread and protect communism and challenge US power, so it saw a strong communist Cuba, armed with Soviet missiles, as a useful goal.

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