1 959 65438+1October1,Cuba won the people's revolution and overthrew Batista's dictatorship. 13 year 10 month 13 day, the Republic of Cuba was founded. It was Fidel Castro who led the people's revolution at the age of 32. [ 1]
In the early days of the new regime, the relationship between the United States and Cuba was relatively good. In February, Castro became prime minister and visited the United States in April, which was also warmly welcomed by the Eisenhower administration. Batista is a puppet built by the United States. The American government welcomed Castro, not to appreciate the opposition to dictatorship, but to try to bring Cuba into the sphere of influence of the United States and consolidate its ruling foundation in Latin America.
Castro and his comrades-in-arms have never been in contact with the Soviet Union and other socialist countries, and even have no basic understanding of Marxism-Leninism and the theory of * * * productism.
Relations between the United States and Cuba have deteriorated.
From June 65438 to June 0959, the leading members of the new Cuban government changed greatly, and most important government departments were controlled by people who advocated radical policies. The U.S. government is worried that the change of Cuba's top management will lead to the loss of control in Latin America and shake the influence of the United States in Latin America. Therefore, it is dissatisfied with the new Cuban regime, which leads to the deterioration of the relationship between the United States and Cuba.
196165438+1On October 5th, the United States suddenly announced that it would sever diplomatic relations with Cuba. At the same time, economic sanctions were imposed on Cuba in an attempt to force Cuba to submit by blocking the economic lifeline.
The Bay of Pigs incident
1961April 15, under the planning of the United States, Cuban exiles bombed Cuba with B-26 bombers for two days. 1000 more than one mercenary boarded the Bay of Pigs in Cuba in an attempt to invade Cuba and overthrow the Castro government by violence. Within 72 hours, the government troops in exile were repelled. After that, the US government continued to put pressure on Cuba and adopted a hostile policy towards Cuba.
process
Ask sue for help
Castro had to seek assistance from the Soviet Union under the strong pressure of the United States. At that time, the Soviet Union showed unusual concern about the situation in Cuba. It is precisely because of the need to compete with the United States for hegemony that we want to find a foothold in Latin America.
Cuba's help is exactly what Khrushchev wanted. He believes that the development of the situation in Cuba is directly related to the influence of the Soviet Union in Latin America, the prestige of the Soviet Union and its foothold in Latin America.
Cuba and the Soviet Union resumed diplomatic relations on 1960. After the United States broke off diplomatic relations with Cuba, the Soviet Union seized the opportunity and increased its economic and military assistance to Cuba. The development of sogou's relations also covered up the tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and the future missile crisis.
Desperate Castro delivered an impassioned speech at the United Nations General Assembly in the autumn of 1960. He said to the Americans sitting in the hall, "You have prompted us to seek new markets and new friends. They are the Soviet Union and the socialist world. After that, we became interested in this kind of socialism and began to study it. "
Khrushchev's idea is worth a try.
He insisted on transporting missiles into Cuba on the grounds that:
First, after John F. Kennedy came to power, the battle of Geelong Beach failed to land, which made him lose a round of diplomacy. The United States has no good reason to oppose Castro taking all possible preventive measures to deal with another invasion, including accepting nuclear weapons assistance from the Soviet Union.
Second, fight the encirclement of the United States. In view of the fact that the United States had surrounded the Soviet Union with bomber bases and missiles at that time, the missiles of the United States in Turkey, Italy and West Germany were all aimed at the Soviet Union, and the important industrial centers of the Soviet Union were directly threatened by nuclear bombs and strategic bombers, so the missiles should be secretly transported into Cuba as soon as possible and packed for launch before the United States found them.
Third, the most important motive is to restore the global balance between the United States and the Soviet Union. In the late 1950s, in the arms race, the Kennedy administration desperately expanded its nuclear arsenal, which made the United States in a leading position in the Soviet-American nuclear race. Therefore, in Khrushchev's view, the deployment of missiles to Cuba is obviously a quick and cheap once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to restore the balance between the Soviet Union and the United States.
From a military point of view, placing about 60 missiles in Cuba, some with a range of 1 1,000 miles and a few with a range of 1 1,500 to 2,000 miles, can avoid the early warning system of the United States, thus actually doubling the Soviet Union's ability to attack the United States and changing its strategic position.
Fourth, we can consolidate the position of Cuban leader Castro and control Cuba politically, economically and militarily, so as to use Cuba as a bargaining chip in political transactions with the United States and enhance the deterrent ability to the Soviet Union. Khrushchev may also know that he may face a serious military conflict, but after thinking about it, he thinks that this big gamble is worth a try.
Transport missile
1962, the Soviet government approved Khrushchev's plan, and Khrushchev attended the talks with Raul Castro on July 3 and 8, and reached a secret agreement.
The Soviet Union decided to deploy medium-range missiles in Cuba and provide the Il -28 jet bomber, which was implemented in July. The Soviet Union replaced the goods destined for Cuba with Soviet ships, unpacked dozens of missiles and dozens of planes and shipped them to Cuba. At the same time, 3,500 military technicians also went by boat. Each missile carries a nuclear warhead 20 or 30 times more powerful than the Hiroshima atomic bomb. The first batch of camouflage weapons arrived in Cuba by merchant ship in late July.
It was not until1September 2, 962 that the Soviet Union publicly announced that it would provide weapons and technical experts to Cuba according to the agreement reached between sogou and China. At this time, the transportation plan of Soviet weapons and experts has been basically completed, and the deployment work is coming to an end.
The Soviet Union denied it.
During this period, the Soviet Union publicly denied having any offensive weapons in Cuba. In his letter to Kennedy, Khrushchev said: It is unnecessary for the Soviet Union to transfer its weapons to any other country, such as Cuba, in order to defeat aggression and carry out retaliatory strikes. Khrushchev also promised that he would not stir up any trouble until the U.S. congressional election in June was 5438+065438+ 10.
A week later, the Soviet government issued a statement, specifically referring to the recruitment of reserve soldiers and the panic caused by the United States shipping the Soviet Union to Cuba. The statement said that the Soviet ship was carrying "the daily necessities and food of the Cuban people", but later admitted: "Due to the threat of aggressive imperialist groups, at the request of the Cuban government, it also carried a certain number of weapons, as well as military technical experts and technicians who trained Cubans to use modern weapons."
The statement continued: "... our nuclear weapons are so explosive, and the Soviet Union has such powerful rockets to carry these nuclear warheads, so there is no need to look for places to launch nuclear weapons outside Soviet territory. ..... It is possible for the Soviet Union to support any peace-loving country from its own territory, not just Cuba. "
Be discovered by beauty
1962 In August, the United States discovered the Soviet missile launch site in Cuba.
196265438+1October 14 is Sunday. On a cloudless Sunday morning in Wan Li, two American U2 planes flew over western Cuba from south to north. They took a lot of photos, and the experts carefully studied and enlarged every picture in the photos.
1962101October 15, they recognized a launch pad, many buildings where ballistic missiles were launched, and a medium-range ballistic missile. A solid permanent base for medium and long-range ballistic missiles with a range of 2000 miles is under construction. And American experts are convinced that missile nuclear weapons are installed on the launcher.
It was not until June196265438+1October 16 that President John F. Kennedy learned of the above situation. He was very angry at Khrushchev's cheating on him and immediately realized that it was very important. He didn't expect the Soviets to take such reckless and risky actions in a place like Cuba. He didn't expect that Cuba suddenly had the largest and best-equipped military force in the western hemisphere after the United States.
Kennedy believed that Soviet missiles posed a serious threat. If we don't fight back violently, it will damage the image of his government at home and abroad, arouse public distrust of him and make the United States feel different at home and abroad. Kennedy decided to make the Soviet Union understand the determination of the United States not to hesitate to fight.
American maritime blockade
1962101at 7: 00 pm on October 22nd, Kennedy delivered a radio address to the United States and the world, informing the fact that the Soviet Union deployed nuclear missiles in Cuba, announcing an armed blockade against Cuba, and demanding that the Soviet Union withdraw its offensive weapons already deployed in Cuba under the supervision of the United Nations.
John F. Kennedy believes that this "secret, rapid and unusual missile facility" is "a deliberate provocation and unreasonable change to the status quo, which is unacceptable to the United States." President John F. Kennedy also highlighted the "initial measures such as isolation" that the United States is about to take at sea. In his speech, he used the word "isolation" instead of "blockade", thinking that this word is not as explosive as "blockade" and is more suitable for peace and self-defense actions.
However, euphemistic words did not weaken the gunpowder smell of action. As soon as the blockade order arrived, the US ground, air and amphibious combat troops began to concentrate. In addition, it mobilized military materials needed to send troops to Cuba and began to take various preventive measures to protect the United States from nuclear attacks. American troops around the world are also on alert. The president of the United States ordered American bombers carrying nuclear warheads to enter the sky around Cuba.
Khrushchev was really taken aback by such a tough attitude of the United States, so he ordered to speed up the delivery of missiles and Soviet bombers to Cuba. Khrushchev underestimated the American intelligence system and the Kennedy administration's tough attitude.
hundredweight hanging by a hair―be in imminent peril
In the five days after Kennedy's radio address, that is,1October 23 to 27, 1962, 10, the situation was almost "unbearable", and the shadow of nuclear war hung over the whole Caribbean and the whole world was at stake.
1Tuesday, October 23rd 10. The Soviet government issued a statement saying that it would continue to use weapons to "aid" Cuba in accordance with the sogou Agreement, "resolutely refuse" the interception of the United States, and "will strike back the most violently" against the threat of the United States.
1October 24th, 1962, 10, with the escort of 68 aviation squadrons and 8 aircraft carriers, a huge US military fleet consisting of 90 warships was dispatched. American ships made an arc from Florida to Puerto Rico, blocking Cuban waters. At the same time, all US missile units were ordered to be in a state of "high alert", and missiles were waiting for instructions on the launch pad.
Not only in Florida and neighboring States, the United States assembled the largest landing troops after World War II to prepare for war, but also American military bases around the world were on alert, ready to fight a global nuclear war.
The maritime "isolation" imposed by the United States on Cuba officially began on1October 24 10. In the blue Caribbean, American naval vessels control thousands of miles of water. On Grand Turk Island, about 300 kilometers from the east coast of Cuba, there is a huge American missile tracking station, which closely monitors every move of ships going to Cuba. The whole of Cuba is surrounded like an iron bucket.
1962, 10125 October, the Soviet union made a decision to test the blockade with unarmed ships.
The Soviet Union sought compromise.
1Friday, October 26th 10. Khrushchev wrote a letter to Kennedy, which was described by the White House as "long, rambling and chaotic". It was "obviously written under emotional impulse and full of passion to avoid nuclear war".
In his letter, Khrushchev acknowledged the existence of Soviet missiles in Cuba, but called them purely defensive. Then he said that he longed for peace very much. Let's not let the situation get out of hand. Forced isolation will only allow the Soviet Union to take the measures it deems necessary. However, if the United States promises not to invade Cuba or allow others to invade, and if it withdraws its fleet and stops isolating itself, it will change everything immediately.
196210127 October, just before the president of the United States replied to Khrushchev's letter, the Executive Committee of the National Security Council received the second rather lengthy, bureaucratic and more explosive letter from the Soviet leader (probably written by the Soviet Foreign Ministry). This letter contains essentially different positions, the essence of which is to seek mutual communication.
"My suggestion is that we agree to withdraw these offensive weapons from Cuba. We agreed to do so and announced this commitment at the United Nations. Your representative must make a statement to the effect that as far as the United States is concerned, it will withdraw similar weapons from Turkey in consideration of the worries and concerns of the Soviet Union. We can reach an agreement on when the two sides will put it into practice ... "
Kennedy immediately rejected this exchange method. He did not reply to this letter, but the White House issued a statement pointing out that Turkey had nothing to do with the Cuban crisis. This letter not only reflects the differences within the Kremlin, but also makes the American intentions towards the Soviet Union more unpredictable, thus complicating the situation.
At this time, all the nuclear and conventional forces of the United States in the world have been ordered to be ready for action at any time, and a huge invasion force has also gathered in Florida. The two sides are at daggers drawn, and war is imminent.
American officials generally estimate that several launch sites in Cuba have been launched. In this case, any direct air attack on missile launch sites may cause thermonuclear explosions over American cities. Kennedy and the Executive Committee of the National Security Council weighed the advantages and disadvantages of removing missiles from Turkey and discussed the timetable for air strikes and invasions.
While the Executive Committee of the National Security Council was debating what countermeasures should be taken, Robert Kennedy had a brainwave and came up with a way out of the crisis. He said, why not ignore Khrushchev's second letter and only reply to the first one?
On Friday, October 26th, 65438/kloc-0, he wrote to Khrushchev to accept his "proposal":
Dear Mr. Chairman,
I have read your letter1October 26th 1962 65438+ very carefully, and welcome your willingness to seek a solution quickly. However, the first thing that needs to be done well is to stop the construction of Cuba's offensive missile base under the effective arrangement of the United Nations and make all Cuba's offensive weapon systems unusable. ……
However, let me emphasize that the first factor is to stop the work of the missile base in Cuba under effective international guarantees, so that this threat will continue to exist, or to link these issues with some broad issues of European and world security and postpone this discussion on Cuba, which will certainly aggravate the Cuban crisis and seriously endanger world peace. Therefore, I hope that we can reach an agreement quickly according to the method proposed in this letter and your letter1October 28th 1962 65438+28.
John Kennedy
end
Khrushchev grasped Kennedy's hint. He realized that the blockade, which had been unbreakable and strengthened for a long time, was not good for the Soviet Union. The longer the blockade drags on, the greater the losses of the Soviet Union will be than those of the United States. When he made this decision, it was too late and he didn't want to discuss it with the stubborn Castro, because he had learned through the intelligence department that if he didn't reply to the United States the next day, the US military would bomb Soviet missile equipment and Cuban military targets on the 29th or 30th, and then invade the island. Any further delay means death.
1Saturday, October 28th 10. Radio Moscow broadcast Khrushchev's reply.
The letter said:
"I fully understand your and the American people's concerns about what you call offensive weapons. This is really a terrible weapon. You and I both know what kind of weapon this is. In order to eliminate this conflict that threatens the cause of peace as soon as possible, and to ensure the people of all countries eager for peace, the Soviet government issued a new order to dismantle the offensive weapons you mentioned and pack them back to the Soviet Union in addition to the previous order to stop the construction of weapons construction sites. "
With the broadcast of this sentence, this serious Cuban missile crisis is over. This letter did not mention that the United States withdrew its missiles in Turkey as a reciprocal condition.
1962165438+1October 1 1, all 42 missiles deployed by the Soviet Union in Cuba were withdrawn.
1962165438+1On October 20th, Kennedy announced that Khrushchev had promised to withdraw all the Il -28 bombers from Cuba within 30 days. Kennedy also announced the lifting of the maritime blockade against Cuba. At the same time, the Soviet government ordered the Soviets to lift the highest combat readiness.
The Caribbean has calmed down again.