US Relationship

Seeking a third way

The USA wanted a new leader.

They understood that Batista was not a good move but they

also didnt want Castro in control as he was a little too

socialist/communist for their liking.

 Nixon Trip to South America

Nixon travelled through South America

He wanted to see what people thought of revolution

America had invested interest in many governments in South America
thanks to the Monroe Doctrine (1823)
He found that the Latin American view of the US was not good and that
there was a real communist threat

Castro Trip to USA

Castro tried to convince US politicians that he wasnt a

communist.
They didnt believe him and thought he was too nave to be in
leadership of a country.

Reasons for Hostility

Economic interests
Castro was nationalising a lot of US interest and business in Cuba which
created issues.
June 1960: US owned oil refineries were nationalised for refusing to
process petroleum from the USSR.

Cold War interests

Castro and Cuba were showing increasing signs of being communist.
Being so close to the US, this rang alarm bells.
Fear of Domino Theory.

Challenge to U.S prestige

Perceived failures of the Monroe Doctrine and future failures with the Bay
of Pigs illustrated a failing of US influence in South America.

 Challenge to Monroe Document (1823)

Sphere of influence threatened.

Monroe Doctrine was foreign policy regarding South America in

1823.
Stated that any further efforts by European nations to take control
of any state in North or South America, or to take control of any
interests, would be viewed as an act of war towards the United
States.
Most South American countries at the time were gaining their
independence from Spain or Portugal (who colonised them earlier)
Doctrine also stated that America would not interfere in the newly
established governments of these independent nations
Essentially, America was in charge of the freedom of South
America. Sound familiar?

Trade Embargo

Trade Embargo

Commercial, economic and financial embargo imposed by the US on Cuba.

President Eisenhower cancels 700,000 tons of sugar imports from Cuba to

the US
Sugar was Cubas largest export so this move put a lot of strain on the
economy of Cuba
He also refused to export US oil to Cuba, this lead to Cuba importing oil
from the Soviets

October 19, 1960 US places embargo on exports to Cuba except for food
and medicine in retaliation for Cuba nationalising US interests and
investments.

February 7, 1962 embargo extended to include all imports.

This means that Cuba loses all access to US consumer goods, medical,
military and financial aid.

Castro & USSR

With the divide between the US and Cuba, the USSR began to increase diplomacy.

In Feb of 1960, Soviet trade delegations visited Cuba

Cuban sugar was now sold to the USSR

USSR subsidized crude oil and provided loans and assistance.

In May of 1960, diplomatic relations are established

In 1961, after the US trade embargo and severing of diplomatic ties, the Soviet
bloc steps in as the new trading partner

In December of 1961, Castro declares himself as a Marxist-Leninist