-
The Bay of Pigs
While Eisenhower was president, he allowed the CIA to secretly gather Cuban exiles and train them for an invasion into Cuba. Though he was unsure of this plan, the new president John F Kennedy decided to continue it. However, it completely failed. Kennedy was very embarrassed and the Soviets' confidence and influence with communism continued to grow. Tension increased further between the Soviet Union and the US and neither of them were willing to back down from a fight. -
Cuban Exiles Enter Cuba
On this night, thousands of Cuban exiles arrived on The Bay of Pigs. Their plans to distract Castro's men and defeat their airforce failed miserably. The Soviet Union helped to arm Cuba against the American forces and greatly outnumbered the US. Many exiles were killed or imprisoned. Kennedy was defeated and paid $52 million to Cuba to send the surviving exiles back to America. The Soviets' confidence grew against the US. They felt they had the upper hand. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
Castro and the Soviets were best friends. Premier Nikita Khrushchev promised Castro that he would protect Cuba in the case of an attack. During the summer of 1962, the Soviets began sending a large amount of arms to Cuba. Kennedy was aware of this and warned Cuba that they are not okay with their affilliations with the Soviets, continuing the growing tension between him and Krushchev. -
Americans Find Soviet Bases in Cuba
On October 14, the US sent planes over to Cuba to take photographs of possible activity. They found that a Soviet missile base was set up and being actively used in Cuba. These missiles were capable of easily reaching major US cities in a short amount of time. The US became very afraid of a possible nuclear attack by the Soviet Union. -
Kennedy Informs the Nation
Kennedy addressed the US and told the citizens of the possiblity of a nuclear attack by the Soviet Union. He also stated that he planned on getting rid of the Soviet's nuclear missiles. He stated that any attack from Cuba would set of a huge nuclear attack on the Soviet Union. Every nation became frightened of a possible nuclear war. Kennedy and Krushchev were willing to confront eachother no matter what the cost. -
Quarantine on Cuba
US discovered Soviet ships in the Atlantic Ocean transporting more nuclear missiles and supplies to Cuba. This action was an obvious sign of a plan to attack the US. Kennedy became angry and decided to keep Cuba from the Soviets. The US Navy then decided to quarantine Cuba in order to prevent these Soviet ships from reaching it. In Florida, the largest invasion force gathered, preparing for the worst. -
Soviet Ships Halt
The US was prepared to fight the Soviet ships coming towards Cuba. These ships were carrying many war materials and the US was afraid. All of a sudden, the tension was broken. The Soviet ships in the Atlantic suddenly stopped. Krushchev wanted to make an agreement with the US. -
Khrushchev Removes Missiles
Khrushchev finally made a deal with the US. He said he would stop sending supplies to Cuba as long as the US promised not to invade Cuba. The leaders finally agreed and the Cuban Missile Crisis was now over. Kennedy stated that it seemed the world "stood still." Was the tension finally over?
