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CIA in Cuba
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CIA Prepares Cuban Invasion
The CIA was permitted to train Cuban exiles. They wanted this to provoke a rebel force. They were hoping all this would be enough to overthrow Castro. President Kennedy had a short notice and doubts about the plan, but decided to approve it anyway. -
Cuban Exiles Land in Cuba
On April 17, 1961, about 1,500 trained Cuban troops began an invasion on Cuba, known as the Bay of Pigs Invasion. This was an attempt to overthrow the government. The CIA had planned this attack in 1960, while Dwight Eisenhower was president. The invasion lasted 3 days and failed. The Cuban forces defeated the rebels. -
Cuban Missile Crisis Begins
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Cuba Recieves Soviet Weapons
Cuban leader Castro was allies with Soviet Union Premier Nikita Khrushchev. Being allies, the Soviet Union sent over weapons to Cuba. In the summer of 1962, the amount of weapons going to Cuba increased. The weapons included nuclear missiles. The US would not allow nuclear weapons so close to America. They warned Cuba to get rid of them. -
Soviet Missle Bases in Cuba
The Cuban Missile crisis began, when an American plane took photographs of Soviet Union nuclear missile bases in Cuba. Some of these missiles were ready to launch, and if were, could reach America in as little as minutes. This brought the US and the Soviet Union almost to nuclear conflict. Tensions had been rising since the failed attempt of the Bay of Pigs. -
Kennedy Plans to Remove Missles
After President Kennedy learned of the Soviet missile base in Cuba. He announced his plans to dispose of it. He addressed an apprehensive nation and made it clear that an attack from Cuba would lead to war. The Soviet Union would not be safe from the wrath of America. -
U.S. Navy Prepares to "Quarantines" Cuba
As Soviet ships headed towards Cuba, the U.S. navy prepared to "quarantine" them. They intended to prevent them from delivering nuclear weapons to Cuba. One hundred thousand troops waited in Florida for the Soviets. Tensions were thick in the Atlantic. -
Soviet Ships Stop
Just before Soviet ships carrying nuclear missles collided with the U.S. navy, they came to a halt. This move, with the intention to avoid confrontation, was a significant break in the crisis. The two countries faced eachother, waiting for a move to be made. Neither side advanced. -
Soviet Plans to Remove Missles
Khrushchev offered to remove missles from Cuba if America promised not to invade Cuba and dismantle their missles in Turkey. A deal was struck. The crisis was over. The world, which seemed to be holding its breath, let out a sigh of relief.
