How did the Bay of Pigs impact the Cuban Missile crisis and what long term effects did it have on the U.S.?
The botched attempt at overthrowing Castro on April 15th of 1961 most likely contributed a great deal to the Cuban missile crisis. The Bay of Pigs invasion made Castro fearful that the United States were planning more serious attacks, and this most likely resulted in Cuba's participation in the Cold War. Fearful of the United States, Cuba got the help of the Soviet Union (who provided Cuba with nuclear weapons) to deter the U.S. from invading them. The Bay of Pigs was a major step in the mounting tensions that resulted in one of the closest humans have come to an apocalyptic nuclear war. In effect, the Bay of Pigs aggravated the Cold War and -- as some historians believe -- may have led to the Vietnam War. The Bay of Pigs was one of the first times Americans genuinely distrusted their government.
However, one positive outcome of the Bay of Pigs for the U.S., is that Kennedy was more careful and less trustworthy on others’ information when making extremely important decisions during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Since the Bay of Pigs event occurred relatively close towards John F Kennedy's election, this was a lesson Kennedy could've learned and avoided in his future years as president of the U.S. |