Bay of Pigs

Cuban Revolution• 1950s – US supported

unpopular dictator Batista

• Revolution overthrew Batista and placed Fidel Castro in power (1959)

Fidel Castro• Benefits: healthcare,

improved economy and better conditions for women

• Criticisms: Harsh dictator, suspended elections, executed opponents, seized private businesses

US v. Castro• Castro took over US companies in Cuba, made

anti-American speeches– US responded with a trade embargo

• Castro turned to the Soviet Union for economic and military aid by signing a trade agreement with the Soviet Union

Bay of Pigs• 1960- CIA trained

Cuban exiles to invade Cuba

• Poor planning, lack of US air cover and little support from Cuban citizens made invasion a failure

Bay of Pigs mistakes• US bombers from

Nicaragua failed to destroy Cuban Air Force

• One damaged bomber landed in Key West revealing the US involvement in the invasion

• Cuban troops prepared for land invasion– 1200 invaders captured

and imprisoned

Significance of Bay of Pigs• Invasion strengthened

Cuba’s ties to Soviet Union because Castro looked to Soviet Union for protection

• Invasion was a failure and embarrassment to US

• Showed Khrushchev the US would not resist Soviet expansion into Latin America