The U.S. Attempts to Contain Cuba

1. Why was Cuba so important to the United States?
Cuba was very close to Florida and would be a huge advantage for the u.s. Plus american businesses held property on Cuba and the U.S feared that the Soviets would utilize Cuba to station ICBMs.

2. Why do you think the Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than invading themselves?
They believed that utilizing U.S forces the Soviets would see it as a direct attack on them and retaliate with drastic measure. They also believed that Cubans coujld run their government better than American outside forces.

3. Why did the invasion fail?
The U.S feared that if they provided to much assistance they would be discovered. Because of their failure, the Kennedy administration is embarrassed internationally and fear of possible retaliation from the USSR. As well as more guerillla campains from the Cubans.


4. Compare Source 17 on page 345 (in the Arms Race.pdf reading) with Source 24 on page 348. Describe how the Soviet Union missiles on Cuba changed the Cold War balance of power.
Source 17 shows that american missiles placed in the direction of soviet cities would have a short range to Europe and long range from the U.S. Source 24 shows soviet missiles placed in the direction of american cities and positioned in Cuba compared to long range short range missiles. These sources show the potential of both world powers to completely obliterate their opponent. Both could attack the other at efficient speed.