Bay of Pigs Invasion

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Bay of Pigs Invasion

• Cullen McNeill

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Causes of Conflict

• Red Scare
• JFK and Eisenhowers eagerness to fight Castro
• Specifically
• Castro led a revolution against the
  American-backed leader, Fulgencio Batista

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What happened?

• Six ships left for Cuba on April 14th 1961
• American-backed Cubans bombed air bases in Cuba
• The 1400 Cuban insurrectionists arrived in Cuba
  on April 17th
• At first, they were able to move back Castros
  forces, but eventually the rebellion was squashed

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How was it a failure?

• Cuba told UN that America was hiring mercenaries
• Word got out about invasion
• Spy planes confused coral reefs for seaweed,
  stranding boats out in sea
• America was too desperate to avoid affiliation
• Air raids, conducted prior to CIA force arrival,
  failed
• Locals did not cooperate like expected
• Disguised planes did nothing to hide U.S.
  affiliation
• The 1400-man force of Cuban refugees to Florida
  consisted of many inexperienced men
• America, after realizing that the invasion would
  fail, sent no air support

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Social

• Americans ?
• Increased fear of Communism
• Loss of trust in American government
• Goal was not accomplished opposite happened
• Instead of stopping Castros communist
  government, Castro grew stronger and communist
  Cuba outlived the Soviet Union

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Political

• Major loss for U.S. government
• Reduced popularity
• Even if they won, they would lose support (had
  not declared war)
• U.S. could not avoid admitting its involvement
  and JFK took the blame
• Revealed Americas inability to combat a
  Communist government
• Thus, it was a political win for Communism
• Also, for Castro proved his ability to lead

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Economical

• The invasion cost 45 million for the 1400 Cuban
  troops

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Interesting Facts

• Obamas Bay of Pigs
• Gaza War is shockingly similar to Bay of Pigs
  Invasion.
• Started in previous administration
• U.S. gave advanced weaponry to Israelites
• They proceeded to attack Gaza
• Now Obama has to deal with it