Above Photo: The range of missiles stationed in Cuba; there is a similar photo in your Counterpoints textbook
The Cuban Missile Crisis:
In 1959, a revolution in Cuba resulted in the overthrow of the pro - American government and a new government under Fidel Castro took over. The American government responded by supporting an invasion of Cuba by counter - revolutionaries. This invasion was known as the Bay of Pigs Invasion, because the invading forces attacked the Bay of Pigs in southern Cuba. However, the American - backed invasion was a failure. Nevertheless, Cuba felt that its security is severely threatened by its neighbour across the sea. Therefore, Cuba sought for help from the Soviet Union; soon Cuba became aligned to the Eastern Bloc.
The crisis began when the Soviet Union provided Cuba with nuclear weapons and built missile bases there; these nuclear weapons were a direct threat to American national security. Soon in 1962, the presence of Soviet nuclear weapons based in Cuba were picked up by American reconnaissance planes. In response, the United States geared up for war. Moreover, the Americans imposed a naval blockade of Cuba. Meanwhile, the Eastern Bloc was also preparing for war. The Soviet army was put on alert; Soviet warships (protected by submarines) headed towards Cuba to face off with American warships. Nuclear weapons from both superpowers were at the ready; the world was on the brink of nuclear war.
In the meantime, Canada refused to co - operate with the United States. Prime Minister Diefenbaker was furious at American President Kennedy for not thoroughly discussing the situation with him first before provoking the Soviets.. He also claimed that the United States have no concrete evidence to prove that Cuba was in possession of nuclear weapons; a neutral investigation team should be sent to Cuba to verify the American claims. Diefenbaker refused to put Canadian forces on alert; this angered the Americans. Later, under growing evidence of the presence of nuclear weapons in Cuba, as well as increased American diplomatic pressure, Prime Diefenbaker agreed to put Canadian forces on alert. However, this was not before the Canadian Defence Minister Douglas Harkness had already secretly put Canadian forces on alert. As a result of Diefenbaker's reluctance to support America during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Canadian - American relationship soured. In turn, Diefenbaker's public image suffered a heavy blow.
The crisis ended when the Soviet leader Khrushchev backed down and agreed to remove nuclear weapons from Cuba in exchange for the American promise not to invade Cuba.
The crisis began when the Soviet Union provided Cuba with nuclear weapons and built missile bases there; these nuclear weapons were a direct threat to American national security. Soon in 1962, the presence of Soviet nuclear weapons based in Cuba were picked up by American reconnaissance planes. In response, the United States geared up for war. Moreover, the Americans imposed a naval blockade of Cuba. Meanwhile, the Eastern Bloc was also preparing for war. The Soviet army was put on alert; Soviet warships (protected by submarines) headed towards Cuba to face off with American warships. Nuclear weapons from both superpowers were at the ready; the world was on the brink of nuclear war.
In the meantime, Canada refused to co - operate with the United States. Prime Minister Diefenbaker was furious at American President Kennedy for not thoroughly discussing the situation with him first before provoking the Soviets.. He also claimed that the United States have no concrete evidence to prove that Cuba was in possession of nuclear weapons; a neutral investigation team should be sent to Cuba to verify the American claims. Diefenbaker refused to put Canadian forces on alert; this angered the Americans. Later, under growing evidence of the presence of nuclear weapons in Cuba, as well as increased American diplomatic pressure, Prime Diefenbaker agreed to put Canadian forces on alert. However, this was not before the Canadian Defence Minister Douglas Harkness had already secretly put Canadian forces on alert. As a result of Diefenbaker's reluctance to support America during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Canadian - American relationship soured. In turn, Diefenbaker's public image suffered a heavy blow.
The crisis ended when the Soviet leader Khrushchev backed down and agreed to remove nuclear weapons from Cuba in exchange for the American promise not to invade Cuba.