What role did Cuba play in the development of the Cold War?

What role did Cuba play in the development of the Cold War?

The cold war can be related sometimes as an indirect conflict where the two superpowers, USA and USSR (or Russia) attacked each other with propaganda, economic measures, general policy of non co-operation and gathering as many allies as possible. This period between 45’ and 90’ started because of several factors. One of them is the differences of principles between USA and USSR, respectively capitalism and communism. These two countries tried to expand their ideologies as much as possible and in the same time, to withstand the other side’s system as much and often as possible. A good example that shows that this theory might be true is the situation in Cuba, which is one of the most famous indirect conflicts of the Cold War. I will now look closer to this example and try to answer: what role did Cuba play in the development of the Cold War? According to my opinion, it played a both negative and a positive role.


After about 40 years under US influence, which may have caused negative results in Cuba (as the huge American control of Cuba’s economy), one kind of Cuban dislike against the Americans, was born. This happened simultaneously as the Cold War began something that fit the Russian’s pattern of expansion. Some new conflicts between the new nationalist leader Castro and the USA turn Castro into socialist, improved relations with USSR and broke off remained relations with the US. This situation was important because, to a certain extent, it played a big part of the development of the CW.

During the beginning of the superpower’s arms race, USSR placed nuclear missiles in Cuba, something that may have put several American major cities in real danger, caused a global temporal shock and bring the situation quite near a nuclear war. In this case, the nuclear war would have caused major consequences in humanity. This critical situation helped the world to understand how easy a nuclear war could start, something that may have caused some caution in the behavior of the power’s leaders. This may have affected the Cold War in later years.
Another factor and result of this situation was the signing of the Nuclear Ban Test Treaty (63’), which meant that the tests on nuclear weapons will only occur underground. This has not only affected the Cold War and the period after in a positive way, but also caused, to a certain extent, some kind of caution and restriction in the attitudes of the power’s leaders. Another example that shows this may be the creation of The Hot Line (63’), which was due to allow consultations between US and USSR.

According to mine and other’s opinion the role played by Cuba and this situation in the CW was negative as well.
To some extent, it increased the creation of even more dangerous and more effective weapons, as the MIRVs, which could be programmed to hit different targets, from own areas. This might have created temptations in the both countries to win a nuclear war by striking first or destroying all the weapons of the other side. This negative feeling, according to me, was to some extent, slowed down by the Cuban Missiles Crises, when the both powers understood the great consequences of a possible nuclear war.




As you see, the role of Cuba in the CW was considerable but also the role of the CW on Cuba cannot be forgotten. It made the Cuban system depended by USSR. As a result, by 91’ when USSR split up, Cuba lost its most powerful supporter and became extremely isolated.

As a conclusion, Cuba’s role in the development of the CW was considerable. It had both positive and negative results. If we look for example at the Cuban Missiles Crisis, we can notice that it caused the both sides to think that each of them achieved something and understood how easy a nuclear war could begin. This may have produced, to some extent, some relaxations in tensions but increased and speeded up the production of even more effective nuclear weapons.

Key points of the essay

Introduction
A short explanation of the CW, it ideas and purpose and why Cuba can be counted as a part of it
Should include the essay question (to have something to reconnect the facts with) and possible hypothesis

Body

Why and how did Cuba enter the CW and its effects? Reconnect to the essay question

Pro

Include the Cuban Missiles Crises, its effects on the relaxations of the tensions. Reconnect!
Include the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, The Hot Line and their effects on the possible relaxations of tensions.

Anti

Argue about why it may have increased the production on nuclear weapons. Reconnect!


The extent to which Cuba itself got affected by the Cold War.


Conclusion

Explain to what extent Cuba was both a negative and positive experience in the CW. Reconnect to the essay question as well.