US Atttempts to Control Cuba

1. Why was Cuba so important to the United States?
Most of the businesses on the island were owned by Americans, and the US had a huge base on Guantanamo bay.
2. Why do you think the Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than invading themselves?
If the US invaded themselves, it would be an open act of war, and the USSR might get involved and it could start a nuclear war.
3. Why did the invasion fail?
The US did not provide the air cover it promised. Also, there were only 1,400 Cuban exiles, but 20,000 well armed commies.
4. Compare Source 17 on page 345 (in the Arms Race.pdf reading) with Source 24 on page 348. Describe how the Soviet Union missiles on Cuba changed the Cold War balance of power.
Earlier in the cold war, the US could hit locations in the USSR with icbms in 30 mins, but since the USSR had icbms in Cuba, the USSR could hit America, just as fast or faster.