1. HISTORY
REVISION PACK:
CUBAN MISSILE
CRISIS.
PAPER 1
(Distributed April 2012)

2. Flashcards: The Background to the Crisis
Who ruled Cuba before Castro? Batista, an army officer, who had seized
power with the help of the USA
Why was Batista so unpopular? He allowed US companies to control
much of Cuba’s industry and agriculture;
there was little reform for much of
Cuba’s population who remained very
poor
What reforms were introduced after Castro worked to end corruption in
Castro overthrew Batista in 1959? government and improve the conditions
of agricultural and industrial workers
Why did the USA grow increasingly Castro began appointing communists to
concerned by Castro’s reforms? his government and signed a trade
agreement with the USSR in which Cuban
sugar would be swapped for machinery,
oil and economic aid (and conventional
weapons such as machine guns)
How did the USA react? In January 1960 the USA stopped buying
Cuban sugar, and then banned all trade
with Cuba; by January 1961 the USA
stopped all diplomatic relations with Cuba
What effect did these reactions have? This pushed Castro closer to the USSR –
they now planned something far more
drastic, the Bay of Pigs Invasion
What was the Bay of Pigs Invasion? This was to be led by Cuban exiles, living
in Florida; the plan was supported by
JFK. Weapons, training and transport
were provided by the CIA. The exiles
hoped to establish a base for guerrilla
activities against Castro and were
confident that the Cuban people would
support them
Why was it such a disaster? This force of 1400 exiles landed in Cuba
but found themselves facing over 20,000
Cuban troops; the people did not rise up
in support of the exiles. Most importantly
both Castro and Khrushchev knew it had
been planned by the CIA – JFK was
humiliated!
What were the consequences of this • The invasion convinced Castro
invasion? that he needed more Soviet
support to defend himself against
possible US attacks
• In September 1961 Khrushchev
publicly announced that he would
provide arms to Cuba
• By 1962 Castro had a very well
euipped army containing the
latest tanks, missiles and
‘technicians’ (who were Soviet

3. military personnel)
• Castro now declared himself to be
a communist and nationalised
all US industries in Cuba
Flashcards: The Crisis Develops!
What did a U2 spy plane discover on It took pictures of what appeared to be
October 14 1962? missile sites being built – some were very
near to completion!
What other worrying news was received There was a fleet of Soviet ships sailing
by the Americans? to Cuba, presumably carrying more
missiles for the new sites
What options were open to JFK? He could choose one of the following:
• Launch an air strike against the
missile sites
• Launch an invasion of Cuba
• Use diplomacy (including the UN)
• Set up a naval blockade around
Cuba
What were the dangers of launching an The missiles could be fired as soon as US
invasion of Cuba? troops landed on Cuban soil; furthermore
the USSR would probably launch an
invasion of West Berlin
What were the dangers of launching an This would probably kill Soviet
air strike? ‘technicians’ and escalate the crisis;
furthermore the USSR would probably
launch an invasion of West Berlin
What did JFK decide to do on October 22 He decided to place a naval blockade
1962? around Cuba, whilst also preparing
troops for a possible invasion of Cuba;
furthermore he called on the USSR to
remove their missiles from Cuba
How did Khrushchev respond? He replied there were no Soviet missiles
on Cuba and that the USSR would ignore
the blockade
What happened when Soviet ships They turned back and did not attempt to
reached the naval blockade on October break the blockade: ‘Khrushchev just
24 1962? blinked!’ However Soviet missiles still
remained on Cuba
What offer was made by Khrushchev in The USSR would remove their nuclear
the letter sent on October 26? weapons if the USA lifted the blockade
and promised not to invade Cuba – the
USA was very happy with this!
What offer was made by Khrushchev in The USSR would remove their nuclear
the letter sent on October 27? weapons if the USA removed theirs from
Turkey
How did JFK react? On the same day he received the second
letter, a U2 spy plane was shot down
over Cuba. JFK responded only to the

4. first letter, saying he agreed with its
terms, but if the missiles were not
removed and attack would follow. The
President’s brother also informed the
Soviet ambassador in Washington that
the US would remove its missiles from
Turkey
Flashcards: The Results of the Crisis
What did the USA gain from this crisis? • Nuclear missiles were removed
from Cuba
• The missiles in Turkey were
removed secretly
• JFK was no longer seen as weak
and inexperienced – his decision
to impose a naval blockade was
justified
What did USSR gain from this crisis? • Cuba remained a Communist
country only 90 miles from the
USA
• Cuba continued to look to the
USSR for protection
What did the USA lose from this crisis? • Missiles in Turkey – this angered
some of her NATO allies
What did USSR lose from this crisis? • The USSR was publicly seen to
have backed down – this angered
many Soviet politicians
• Khrushchev was removed from
office in 1964
What did the world gain from this crisis? • A direct hot line phone link was
set up between Washington and
Moscow
• A Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was
set up in 1963
What did Cuba gain from this crisis? • Her independence had been
secured; she was now free from
US interference
• However Castro felt like a pawn in
a very high stakes game which
could have seen the destruction
of this island

5. Cold War Exam Practice: Cartoon Based Questions
January 2010
(a) Study source A: What is the message of this cartoon? Use details of the
cartoon and your own knowledge to explain your answer (7)
(b) Explain why Kennedy could claim victory in the Cuban Missile Crisis (8)
TOP TIP!
For these style of cartoon
questions you can earn 6/7 for a
well explained answer that refers
to only the cartoon or your own
knowledge; the final mark is
gained by doing both!
TOP TIP!
For the (b) type questions you
must explain TWO reasons to
earn your full 8 marks; if you
explain just one reason you will
earn 5-6 marks. Look at the
answers below – what marks
would they be awarded?
The main message is that the good, clean cut guy Kennedy is standing up to the
threat of the scoundrels who are riding into town. Kennedy is shown standing
(up to the threat) whilst Castro is shown as a lesser threat by being shown on a
donkey and dropping his gun. Khrushchev is larger and therefore more of a
threat and is shown behind (backing / supporting) Castro.
Kennedy decided to follow a policy of containment by introducing a blockade
and persuading Khrushchev to turn his ships around. The hardliners in his
government and some of his advisers wanted him to turn back Communism.
This was a dangerous, high risk strategy which could have resulted in nuclear
Cartoons for you to Interpret: now being seen as a far more experienced
war. However this resulted in JFK
leader (who had previously sanctioned the Bay of Pigs Invasion) and respected
around the world.

9. January 2012:
(a) Describe the USA’s reaction to the Cuban Revolution (4)
(b) Explain why Khrushchev placed missiles on Cuba (6)
(c) The outcomes of the Cuban Missile Crisis were equally successful for
(i) the USA
(ii) the USSR
(iii) Cuba
How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer referring
to only (i), (ii) and (iii) (10)
June 2011:
(a) Describe how Cuba changed under Castro (4)
(b) Explain JFK’S options after missile sites were discovered in Cuba (6)
(c) ‘The USA was more responsible for causing the Cuban Missile Crisis
than the USSR.’ How far do you agree with this statement? (10)
January 2011:
How would you grade the following responses:
(a) Describe the Bay of Pigs Invasion (4)
‘In April 1961, 1 400 exiles, trained by the CIA landed at the Bay of Pigs in an attemp
to overthrow Castro. They were met by 20 000 Cuban troops.’
‘The Cuban troops were successful, killing or capturing the exiles; furthermore there
was no popular uprising in support of this invasion. JFK was forced to deny the
involvement of the US government’
(b) Explain why the Soviet Union became involved in Cuba (6)
Khrushchev wanted to bargain with the USA. If he had missiles in Cuba he could
agree to remove them if the USA removed their missiles from, Turkey. This would
make the Soviet Union feel more secure.
In the context of the Cold War, he was trying to see how strong the USA really was
and to test the new President.JFK was young and inexperienced, and the Bay of
Pigs Invasion led Khrushchev to question the capacity of the US president.
Also Khrushchev was anxious to defend Cuba. It was the only Communist state in
the Western hemisphere, and had willingly become Communist. In addition Cuba
was in the US’s ‘backyard’. It was ideal to try to encourage Communist development
in South America.

10. (c) ‘Kennedy handled the Cuban Missile Crisis better than Khrushchev did’.
How far do you agree with this statement? (10)
Complete the table below to plan a response to this question:
Positive - Kennedy Positive - Khrushchev
Negative - Kennedy Negative - Khrushchev
June 2010:
(a) Describe the USA’s reaction to Castro’s seizure of power in Cuba (4)
(b) Explain why the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion caused problems for
the USA (6)
This failed invasion created two main problems for the USA. Firstly it was a
sign that the USA was not intending to directly interefere in Cuba,
preferring instead to supply arms to Cuban exiles who had little hope of
succeeding. This convinced Khrushchev that JFK was a weak and indecisive
leader who would not stand up to Soviet power and influence.
Secondly the invasion caused Cubans to seek protection from the USSR so
its independence could be guaranteed. Soviet arms and ‘technicians’
flooded into Cuba who quickly developed a very well-equipped armed
force. Months after the invasion the Cubans permitted the USSR to station
nuclear weapons in their country, which directly threatened the USA.

11. (c) ‘The Cuban Missile Crisis was a victory for the USSR’ How far do you
agree with this statement? (10)
SPECIMEN:
(a) What happened at the Bay of Pigs Invasion of 1961? (4)
(b) Explain why Khrushchev sent missiles to Cuba in 1962? (6)
(c) ‘The Cuban Missile Crisis was never a threat to world peace.’ How far do
you agree with this statement? (10)