Bay of Pigs

Paper Summary:

This paper takes a look at the invasion of the Bay of Pigs, a result of the USA's insecure stance in relation to Fidel Castro and his Cuban government. The paper discusses the USA's insecurities and the disasters resulting in the failure of the invasion.

From the Paper:

"Everything was carefully planned. First the Cuban air force would be destroyed and then paratroopers would start their work. It was decided that the area would thus be sealed. However as much as the CIA had planned everything, Castro turned out to be an even better schemer. What CIA failed to take into account was the fact that people in that small area were very loyal to Castro regime. The element of surprise, which was what CIA wanted to cash in on, was starkly missing. Not only was Castro expecting an attack from this part, the people of the area also backed him. Therefore the moment the US army landed, it realized just what a huge mistake they had made. Bright lights that had been placed to illuminate the beaches detected them. Charcoal workers who were loyal to Castro put up an impressive resistance, much to the surprise of the US army. The plan was anything but foolproof and as it turned out, there were large intelligence gaps and yawning loopholes that resulted in the failure of the landing plan. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Central Intelligence Agency: Memoranda for the Director (Washington, Office of National Estimates, 1961)
• Stephen Rabe. "The Johnson (Eisenhower) Doctrine for Latin America". Diplomatic History. (Winter 1985)
• Jack Hawkins. Classified Disaster: The Bay of Pigs Operation Was Doomed by Presidential Indecisiveness and Lack of Commitment. National Review. Volume: 48. Issue: 25. December 31, 1996.
• Alan Nadel. Containment Culture: American Narrative, Postmodernism, and the Atomic Age. Duke University Press. Durham, NC. 1995.
• Walter Lafeber. Lest We Forget the Bay of Pigs; the Unlearned Lessons. The Nation. Volume: 242. April 19, 1986.

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• Analytical Essay # 147940 : "The Bay of Pigs Invasion and Cuban Missile Crisis"
• Essay # 67734 : "The Bay of Pigs Invasion"

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