Causes of the Cuban Missile Crisis
The Rise of Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution
- In 1959, Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba, launching a revolution aimed at:
- Replacing Corruption: Addressing the rampant corruption of the previous government.
- Reducing U.S. Influence: Ending economic dependence on the United States.
Castro's Strategy: Like Nasser in Egypt, Castro exploited the Cold War rivalry between the U.S.and the Soviet Union to advance his domestic agenda.
U.S. Response: Economic Sanctions and the Bay of Pigs
- Nationalization of Industries: Castro nationalized American-owned refineries and other businesses after the U.S. refused to refine Soviet oil.
- Economic Sanctions: The U.S. imposed sanctions and authorized the training of anti-Castro exiles.
- Bay of Pigs Invasion: In 1961, a CIA-directed invasion by Cuban exiles failed, strengthening Castro's position and pushing him closer to the Soviet Union.
Common Mistake: It's a misconception that the Bay of Pigs invasion had strong local support. In reality, most Cubans opposed the exiles, seeing them as allies of the previous regime.
Soviet Motivations for Placing Missiles in Cuba
- Nuclear Deterrence: The Soviets were vulnerable to U.S. medium-range missiles in Turkey and Europe. Placing missiles in Cuba would balance this threat.
- Protecting Cuba: After the Bay of Pigs, Castro requested Soviet assistance to defend against future U.S. invasions.
