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1) Heavy American political intervention since 1823 

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1) Heavy American political intervention since 1823 

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Describe the point

Cuba was of great strategic importance to the USA who was greatly concerned with expanding its own territory as well as guaranteeing its security, thus the US intervened heavily politically in Cuba (e.g. Cuban War of Independence) to ensure that Cuba would be pro-American.

Monroe Doctrine; states that further attempts by European powers to colonies or interfere in the Americas would be viewed as ‘acts of aggression’, looked to forge closer ties with US’ neighbours, one of which was Cuba.

Cuba’s close proximity was a key motivation for heavy American political intervention since 1823.

Impact on American-Cuban Relations:

Heavy American political intervention ensured that Cuba would be pro-American and an ally to the US, and was seen to be extremely important to the security of the USA due to its close geographical proximity + it being the gateway to the Caribbean islands.

US was motivated to closely monitor the development of the Caribbean islands to ensure that European countries did not intervene into these countries, one of which is Cuba.

Impact on Soviet-Cuban Relations:

Not significant at the time as USSR had not gotten involved in any Cuban-related matters

—> Due to implementation of the Monroe Doctrine, the Soviet Union would be less motivated to forge ties/intervene into Cuba as Cuba was not allowed to make alliances with other countries without the USA’s approval.

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2) Castro’s victory in the Cuban Revolution in 1959 (EXAMPLE by Ms Faza)

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2) Castro’s victory in the Cuban Revolution in 1959 (EXAMPLE by Ms Faza)

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Describe the event:

Castro conducted guerilla warfare against Batista's government

Castro's popularity among the Cubans grew

1 Jan 1959: Batista fled to USA while Castro led his rebel army into Havana and established a new government.

Castro did not identify as a communist publicly, though he had support from the Cuban Communist Party.

Impact on American-Cuban Relations:

Contributed to American-Cuban tensions. The USA
continued to suspect Castro of being a communist
even though he did not immediately identify himself
as one then

Impact on Soviet-Cuban Relations:

No significant impact as Castro did not identify himself as a communist, and had no dealings with the Soviet Union at that time

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3) Castro’s establishment of trade relations with the Soviet Union in 1959 and 1960

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3) Castro’s establishment of trade relations with the Soviet Union in 1959 and 1960

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Describe the point

The Cuban economy was overly reliant on the Cuban sugar quota

They were looking for other sources for sugar, especially  Soviet markets

Cuba’s minister of industries visited Egypt, Yugoslavia, Indonesia in 1959 to seek new markets for Cuban sugar

In Cairo, Egypt, the Soviets agreed to buy half a million tonnes of sugar

Castro and Khrushchev also agreed that a Soviet trade exhibition currently on tour in the America’s would go to Cuba , and that the Russians would buy a million tonnes of sugar over five years

Impact on American-Cuban Relations:

There was a fallout between the two countries due to the economic retaliation america placed on Cuba. When america tried to weaken Cuba, Cuba would just react swiftly. This resulted in america breaking diplomatic relations with Cuba

Impact on Soviet-Cuban Relations:

Strengthened their relationship as the Soviet Union helped in aiding and improving Cuba’s economy.

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4) Implementation of Castro’s Land Reform Law in May 1959 

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4) Implementation of Castro’s Land Reform Law in May 1959 

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Describe the point

Large estates to hand over their property to the state in exchange for financial compensation spread over many years

All farms over 3,333 acres and all private estates over 1,000 acres to be redistributed or run as communes by a new state agency

Foreigners no longer allowed to own sugar plantations

Intentions: By passing this law, Castro wanted to break up the largest private estates in Cuba and redistribute them among the poorer farmers, to solve the problem of inequality. (like communism)

Castro saw this as fulfilling his promise to the farmers who had supported him during the revolution.

Impact on American-Cuban Relations:

The implementation not only intensified American- Cuban tensions, but also set Cuba on a direct collision course with the USA.

To the USA, however, it confirmed that Castro's revolution
was heading in a socialist direction with its heavy-handed redistributive policies. The USA was worried that Castro's Cuba was ideologically opposed to its own capitalist economy.

USA also concerned that since many of the large properties
that would be broken up belonged to Americans or pro-American Cubans, American businesses and the USA's economy would be affected.

Impact on Soviet-Cuban Relations:

Strengthened the Soviet-Cuban relations as Castro was implementing a law that was ideologically aligned with Soviet Union.

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5) Refusal of American companies in Cuba to process Soviet oil and reduction of the Cuban Sugar Quota in Apr and Jul 1960

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5) Refusal of American companies in Cuba to process Soviet oil and reduction of the Cuban Sugar Quota in Apr and Jul 1960

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Describe the point

US pressured its oil refinery companies not to process soviet oil, which lead to Cuba nationalising the oil refineries. US also reduced the sugar import and Cuba signed the trade agreement with the USSR and China. Cuba nationalised all US companies from August 1960. US then placed an embargo on US exports got Cuban which led to Cuba asking the USSr for help.

Impact on American-Cuban Relations:

the American government pressured its companies such as Shell, Standard Oil and Texaco, along with their allies, not to process Soviet oil. In response, Castro nationalised the oil refineries. the USA reduced the Cuban Sugar Quota from 3 million tonnes to only 700,000 tonnes. However, the Soviet Union and China stepped in and offered to buy the surplus sugar. thus the American-Cuban relations souring even more rapidly.

Impact on Soviet-Cuban Relations:

This strengthened their Castro and Khrushchev agreed that a Soviet trade exhibition currently on tour in the Americas would go to Cuba, and that the Russians would buy a million tonnes of sugar over five years. When the exhibition was opened in February 1960, Castro and the Soviets also agreed to the exchange of more cuban sugar, for soviet oil instead of using money.

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6) Castro’s nationalisation of all oil refineries and American-owned properties in Jun, Aug and Sep 1960 

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6) Castro’s nationalisation of all oil refineries and American-owned properties in Jun, Aug and Sep 1960 

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Describe the point

June 1960 : Castro nationalised the oil refineries

July 1960: USA reduced Cuban sugar quota from 3 million tonnes to only 700,000 tonnes. China and Soviet Union stepped in and offered to buy the surplus sugar

Aug 1960 : Castro nationalised all major American properties in Cuba

Sep 1960 : Castro nationalised all American owned banks , railways , ports , hotels and cinemas . USA considered this an act of war as its economic interests in Cuba were threatened

Impact on American-Cuban Relations:

US broke off diplomatic ties with Cuba

Impact on Soviet-Cuban Relations:

Cuba had stronger economic ties with the Soviet Union

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7) Establishment of a personal friendship between Castro and Khrushchev from Sep 1960 

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7) Establishment of a personal friendship between Castro and Khrushchev from Sep 1960 

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Describe the point

They both fought for the cause of African-Americans that were viewed to be discriminated in the US and bonded over it.

Impact on American-Cuban Relations:

Castro nationalised all American-
owned banks, railways, ports, hotels and
cinemas. The USA considered this an act of
war as its economic interests in Cuba were
threatened.

Impact on Soviet-Cuban Relations:

The meeting in 20 September 1960 between Castro and Khrushchev in Harlem strengthened their relationship. It also highlighted the tensions between the superpowers. Both
superpowers claimed to be the leaders in upholding freedom despite having different ideologies, political and economic systems. At the same time, each pointed out the imperfections of the other side as representative of their entire system. Castro's stay at Harlem and his address to the UN, championing the
rights of African Americans, insulted and provoked conservatives in the USA who did not want to grant such rights. It also saw him associating himself openly with the leader of the USA's Cold War enemy.

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8) American imposition of an embargo on American exports to Cuba in Nov 1960 

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8) American imposition of an embargo on American exports to Cuba in Nov 1960 

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Describe the point

USA intensified its economic campaign against Cuba by placing an embargo on American exports to Cuba on everything except food and medicine

USA wanted to emphasize that its campaign was against the Cuban government rather than against the Cuban people.

they aimed to weaken castro’s power. As a result Cuba turned to Soviet Union for help.

Impact on American-Cuban Relations:

Worsened because USA placed the embargo without the permission of the Cuban government and Soviet Union.With the embargo , the people were unhappy as they now have economic restrictions and laws to stop trade in other countries.

Impact on Soviet-Cuban Relations:

Improved as Cuba and Soviet Union helped each other in fulfilling economic needs.

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Describe the point

a plan to overthrow Castro’s government by training Cuban exiles. However it failed and embarrassed america

Impact on American-Cuban Relations:

The USA was greatly humiliated by the failed attempt to assassinate a leader of a small country as such a major superpower. This attempt also caused tensions between the US and the Cubans as it showed how the US detested the idea of having communism infest its economy zone. Hence, knowing that the US wanted to remove Castro from his position by killing him, the Cubans were further against the US as they had greatly supported Castro. This led to the gradual downfall of the American-Cuban Relations.

Impact on Soviet-Cuban Relations:

Soviet Union did not step in and interfere with the invasion. This led Castro think of joining the communist bloc since USA wanted to overthrow him.

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10) Operation Mongoose from Nov 1961 onwards 

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10) Operation Mongoose from Nov 1961 onwards 

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Describe the point

A secret programme carried out by the CIA agents to remove Communism in Cuba

US stepped up efforts to remove Castro from power (came up with more ways to kill Castro)

The assassination attempts reportedly included cigars poisoned with botulinum toxin, a tubercle bacilli-infected scuba-diving suit along with a booby-trapped conch placed on the sea bottom, an exploding cigar (as he loved cigars and scuba diving), and plain, mafia-style execution endeavors

Impact on American-Cuban Relations:

Worsened as the continuous US’ foreign policy against the Cuba but an equal embarrassment on the failure of the US’ foreign policy

Castro feared being killed by the USA and that Cuba would be invaded by US

Impact on Soviet-Cuban Relations:

Due to his fear, Castro ran to the Soviet Leader, Khruscchev, who he was close with, to seek help and become allies with them for protection against the US

He needed to get closer with the USSR so that he would not be killed.

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11) Cuba’s formal alliance with the Soviet Union in Dec 1961 

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11) Cuba’s formal alliance with the Soviet Union in Dec 1961 

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Describe the point

Cuba became convinced that a large scale invasion by USA was inevitable after the previous attempts to assassinate Castro. Thus, the Cubans turned to the Soviets for security concerns. In December 1961, Castro declared himself as a ‘Marxist-Leninist’ and established a new communist party in Cuba along Soviet lines.  Cuba was now an official communist.

Impact on American-Cuban Relations:

America realised that the Soviet Union was now an ally with a country dangerously close to its borders and feared the possible spread of communism. This further tensioned the relationships between America and Cuba now that America felt betrayed by the communist revolution in Cuba.

Impact on Soviet-Cuban Relations:

Strengthened the relationship between Soviet and Cuba after Cuba officially joined the communist bloc. They have a communist sphere of influence near USA.