The Cold War and U.S. Diplomacy
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The Cold War and U.S. Diplomacy- The Bay of Pigs
Long before America’s intervention in Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq and even in the Vietnam, the American government has found itself on peculiar grounds carrying and overseeing various operations in the southern coast part of the Cuban island that is currently referred to as the Bay of Pigs. As noted by Wyden (2009), the decision that was arrived on by the United States regarding the unfolding in the Bay of Pigs is considered one of the most essential decisions in America’s decision. The effects that followed this invasion are still felt currently more especially among the Cuban communities within America. The decisions arrived at by the highest offices in the country is a clear indication that though we consider the American government to be above error, is false, America should be considered as being far from being connoted a perfect nation.
The American government came up with a plan that was not fool prove which resulted to complete embarrassment on the part of the American government which was under President John F. Kennedy. In the process of trying to destroy the threats that had been posed by the communists, the CIA and the American government in general proved itself to be incompetent. The invasion of the Bay of Pigs was not a one man show. The invasion is said to have been proposed by Richard M. Nixon, it was planned by Dwight Eisenhower, J. F. Kennedy championed and approved it and the CIA went ahead and carried out the directions given to them. John Kennedy had been assured that everything was set for the invasion at Bay of Pigs, however, as it turned out Americans lost more than they had imagined. Similarly, attacks on foreign countries may cost the American citizen more than it had been anticipated in terms of cash and time (Johnson, 2010). The CIAs believed that the Cuban citizens would embrace and rise against Castro government, what was to be realized was that the Cuban citizens were indeed satisfied with the leadership of Castro and were not in need of America’s intervention.
As noted by Craughwell and Phelps (2008), President Eisenhower in 1960 gave a go ahead of the CIAS to train the Cuban exiles in America so that they could oppose the Fidel Castro’s governance. Simply putt, the bays of pigs invasion was an intended provocation of Fidel Castro’s popularity. This was because Castro had managed to plot a coup that had seen the American supported dictator Fulgencio Batista being overthrown from power. The coup was a clear sign that Cubans were tired of the consistent aggression that the American government was posing on them. Fidel Castro was apparent making the urge of toppling his government apparent and this whole plan was initiated by Dwight Eisenhower. When John F. Kennedy was being inaugurated, the only part that was remaining was the invasion order. The invasion plan as noted by Jones (2008) had started earlier before the diplomatic ties had been broken and since the plan was geared towards overthrowing the government, the plans were very delicate. Most importantly trying to overthrow a government that America was not at war with made the matter very fragile.
When J. F Kennedy was carrying out his campaigns, he had blamed Eisenhower’s government for having not taken enough and appropriate measures regarding the Cuban conditions. In fact, Eisenhower would have initiated thee invasion had a better opportunity presented itself. However, Eisenhower bequeathed this plan to Kennedy who was however inclining in pursuing it. Most of the people within the Kennedy government were against the plan (Jones, 2008). On the other hand, the Cuban government had been notified about the plans and it had presented enough evidence to the United Nations in October regarding thee mercenaries that the United States was training to over throw the government. The involvement that US had in relation to Cuban affairs was no longer considered a secret. A senator by the name William Fulbright opposed the undertakings of the United States and termed them to as hypocrisy, the same it had used in accusing the soviets. He was seconded by Chester Bowles who advised Dean Rusk the secretary of state terming the plan wrong both from thee legal and moral grounds.
The lone and probably the main reason that has been forwarded for the Bay of Pigs invasion was to put a stop to communism that was threatening to reach the American soil. This implied that the United States was eager to provoke a revolution to counter the one that had been led by Fidel Castro in taking the office. The Americans wanted to restore democracy in Cuba and destroy all traces that communism was enacting. The one mishap that the Americans did was to send a group of aforementioned Cubans into Fidel Castro’s grounds to destroy him, this was one unsuccessful step taken.
The other mishap was the million of dollars that had been spend by the nation to preach against the Cuban government. Posters, articles and comic books were written and distributed with the aim of sending cynicism towards castor and his state. America also dropped millions of flyers to try and convince the people to rise against castor’s government (Wyden, 2009). To Americans dismay, the Cuban people were comfortable with the rule of Castro and they were not in need of any change and thus did not take note of the flyers. America was not able to collect enough information regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the Castro government.
Apart from this, the US was using other minor reasons for the attack such as revenge for the U-2 plan that had been shot over the Russian soil. In relation to Americans believe, they considered that Russia was using excessive force instead of democracy and thus it deserved an attack on the communist nation. So instead of the American government carrying out a direct attack on Russia, they opted to attack the closest sympathizer, Cuba (Craughwell and Phelps, 2008). Though American considered this reason genuine and a reason that held water as far as pushing Castro out of power was concerned, presently, it can be considered as a very immature reason.
In his inauguration, john F. Kennedy presented the American citizens with a clear blue print that showed his support for containing communism and reversing the progress it had gained in the western part of the hemisphere. However, the mishaps that followed the Bay of Pigs invasion resulted to numerous impacts on the young J.F. Kennedy. With numerous determinations of trying to make up for the failures it had encountered, Operation Mongoose was initiated, and this operation was meant to destabilize and sabotage the Cuban economy. In addition to this, the plan included the assassination of Fidel Castro. Though it is almost fifty years since these attempts were made, the relationship between American and Cuba still remains tenuous and strained.
Johnson (2010) asserts that the Bay of Pigs affected America very much. Most importantly, it is false to say that a place such as South Florida is never afraid of attacks from Cuba. Trade embargos were enacted which prevents the people from the two nations trading freely. In addition, a number of families have been broken as some members have defected to the US. From this paper, it is apparent that the American government has found itself in many occasions applying force in some countries abroad. However, it is important for the leaders to note that whatever the action they want to take, they should never think that it will be very easy. Americans should not greet any token presented by the president in relation to interventions; such interventions should be greeted with skepticism since more shall be at stake. It is apparent that we would have many important ideas and people originating from Cuba, however, due to the invasion of the Bay of Pigs and the ramification that followed it, people are confined and what can be done currently is wait for palpable, change in political standings.
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