The Cuban Revolution and the Bay of Pigs Cambridge IGCSE History revision
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In plain words
Cuba lies 150 kilometres from Florida. In 1959 a bearded lawyer in army uniform overthrew its dictator, and within two years the USA had a communist country on its doorstep. Its first attempt to remove him was a disaster.
8 things to know
- Before 1959 Cuba was ruled by a dictator, Batista. He was corrupt and unpopular, but he was supported by the USA. American companies owned much of Cuba's land and industry.
- Fidel Castro led a guerrilla campaign against Batista, and took power in January 1959.
- Castro took over American-owned land and businesses. The USA responded by refusing to buy Cuban sugar, the island's main export, and then by banning trade with Cuba.
- Castro turned to the USSR, which agreed to buy Cuba's sugar and to supply oil, machinery and weapons.
- The USA would not accept a Soviet ally so close to its coast. The CIA trained a force of Cuban exiles to invade the island and overthrow Castro.
- President Kennedy, who had just taken office, approved the plan. In April 1961 about 1400 exiles landed at the Bay of Pigs.
- It failed completely. The Cuban people did not rise in support. The invaders were met by 20 000 Cuban troops and were killed or captured within days.
- Results: Kennedy was humiliated. Castro was more popular than before. He declared himself a communist, and asked the USSR to help defend Cuba against another invasion.
Worked example
Explain why the Bay of Pigs invasion failed. This is a 6-mark question.
- The plan assumed that Cubans would rise against Castro. They did not, because he was popular.
- The force was far too small: about 1400 exiles against 20 000 Cuban troops with tanks.
- Kennedy would not use American forces openly to support the landing, so the invaders had no cover and were quickly defeated.
Tips and tricks
- Events in order: Castro takes power in 1959, takes over American property, the USA bans trade, Castro turns to the USSR, the Bay of Pigs in April 1961.
- The Bay of Pigs explains the Missile Crisis. It made Castro ask for Soviet protection, and it made Khrushchev think that Kennedy was weak.
It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.
The Cuban Revolution and the Bay of Pigs: 5 questions and answers
These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.
Who ruled Cuba before Castro?
He was a dictator supported by the USA.
When did Castro take power?
January 1959.
What was Cuba's main export?
The USA stopped buying it.
Who carried out the Bay of Pigs invasion?
About 1400 of them landed.
How did the Bay of Pigs invasion strengthen Castro?Stretch
A failed attack united Cubans behind him.
Quiz
5 questions
Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.
Worksheet
3 questions, 16 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.
The Cuban Revolution and the Bay of Pigs
Cambridge IGCSE History 0470 · 16 marks · papermunch.org
Name ______________________________ Date ______________
What happened at the Bay of Pigs in 1961?[4]
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In April 1961 about 1400 Cuban exiles, trained by the CIA, landed in Cuba. They hoped to start a rising against Castro. They were met by about 20 000 Cuban troops. Within days they had been killed or captured.
Why did relations between the USA and Cuba get worse after 1959?[6]
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Castro took over land and businesses owned by Americans. The USA stopped buying Cuban sugar and then banned trade with Cuba. Castro turned to the USSR for trade and weapons, which alarmed the USA, since Cuba was so close to its coast. The USA then tried to overthrow him at the Bay of Pigs.
Why was the Bay of Pigs important?[6]
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It was a humiliating failure for Kennedy at the start of his presidency. It made Castro more popular in Cuba, and pushed him to declare himself a communist. It led him to ask the USSR for military protection, which was one cause of the Missile Crisis the next year.
Answers: The Cuban Revolution and the Bay of Pigs
- 1. In April 1961 about 1400 Cuban exiles, trained by the CIA, landed in Cuba. They hoped to start a rising against Castro. They were met by about 20 000 Cuban troops. Within days they had been killed or captured.
- 2. Castro took over land and businesses owned by Americans. The USA stopped buying Cuban sugar and then banned trade with Cuba. Castro turned to the USSR for trade and weapons, which alarmed the USA, since Cuba was so close to its coast. The USA then tried to overthrow him at the Bay of Pigs.
- 3. It was a humiliating failure for Kennedy at the start of his presidency. It made Castro more popular in Cuba, and pushed him to declare himself a communist. It led him to ask the USSR for military protection, which was one cause of the Missile Crisis the next year.