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Fidel Assumes Power
The forces of Fidel Castro overthrow the Batista regime in Cuba bringing a new political power to the Carribbean. -
Period: to
Cuban Missile Crisis
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Cuba goes Socialist
Fidel Castro and the Cuban government declare their open alliance with the Soviet Union causing the Americans to view Cuba as a threat. -
Loss of Diplomatic Relations
The American government severs diplomatic ties to Cuba. Tensions continue to rise between the neighbor nations. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
The United States backs Cuban exiles in an attempt to overthrow the Cuban government. This makes Castro fear an American invasion and opens his mind to the possibility of acquiring nucelar weapons to deter a U.S. invasion. -
U-2 spots missiles
An American U-2 spy plane spots the offensive missiles in Cuba affirming Presdient Kennedy's belief that missiles have been making their way to the island nation. -
Gromyko denies missiles exist
Soviet ambassador Andrei Gromyko denies in a face to face meeting with President Kennedy that Cuba has offensive missiles. The American president feels he can no longer can trust the Soviets and tensions between the nations are increased. -
Kennedy Orders "Quarantine" of Cuba
Because a "blockade" is technically an act of war according to international law, the United States announced they would "quarantine" the island. Ships bearing food or fuel would be allowed to pass but any bearing weapons would be turned back. -
Khrushchev's First Offer to End the Crisis
Khrushchev sends a letter to President Kennedy offering to withdraw Soviet weapons and expertise from Cuba in exchange for the Americans pledge not to invade Cuba. -
Khrushchev's Second Offer
Before the Americans respond to his first letter, a second is sent revising the terms for ending the conflict. Khrushchev says that the missiles will be removed in return for the Americans removing their Jupiter missiles from Turkey. The Americans agree to not invade Cuba and offer a private assurance that the missiles in Turkey will be removed within six months. -
Peace from Nuclear Weapons
Khrushchev announces over Radio Moscow that, "the Soviet government, in addition to previously issued instructions on the cessation of further work at the building sites for the weapons, has issued a new order on the dismantling of the weapons which you describe as 'offensive' and their crating and return to the Soviet Union." For the world the crisis was over. -
Missiles Removed from Turkey
The last of the American missiles in Turkey was disassembled fulfilling the Americans secret assurance to the Soviet Union.
