Questions: NTI 09/27/2024 1. Why was Cuba targeted by the United States after the Revolution? Why did President Kennedy NOT want Castro to be in power?

After the Cuban Revolution, Cuba was targeted by the United States for several reasons:

1. Communist Alignment: After the revolution in 1959, Fidel Castro established a government that aligned itself with communist ideologies. This was during the Cold War, a period of intense rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. The U.S. was concerned about the spread of communism in the Western Hemisphere, particularly so close to its own borders.

2. Nationalization of American Assets: Castro's government nationalized many industries, including those owned by American businesses. This led to significant economic losses for U.S. companies and increased tensions between the two countries.

3. Soviet Alliance: Cuba's growing relationship with the Soviet Union was a major concern for the United States. The alliance posed a strategic threat, as it allowed the Soviet Union to establish a foothold in the Americas.

President Kennedy did not want Castro to remain in power for several reasons:

1. Containment Policy: Kennedy, like his predecessors, was committed to the policy of containment, which aimed to prevent the spread of communism. Castro's regime was seen as a direct challenge to this policy.

2. Bay of Pigs Invasion: In 1961, Kennedy authorized the Bay of Pigs invasion, an unsuccessful attempt by Cuban exiles to overthrow Castro. The failure of this mission was a significant embarrassment for Kennedy and heightened his desire to remove Castro from power.

3. Cuban Missile Crisis: In 1962, the discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba led to the Cuban Missile Crisis, a tense 13-day standoff that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. This event underscored the threat posed by Castro's alliance with the Soviet Union and reinforced Kennedy's determination to see him removed from power.

These factors combined to make Cuba a focal point of U.S. foreign policy during Kennedy's presidency.