Notes Chapter 17-4“Cold War Around the World”
Confrontations over Developing Nations:
* Some resisted influence and formed a league of nonaligned nations
* Each tried to influence these nations through aid, weapons, bribes, assassination, etc.
* Third World nations the site of superpower conflicts
Postwar Face-off in Cuba:* 1959 in Cuba US backed dictator (Batista) is overthrown by Fidel Castro and his Communists
* 1961 US supports “Bay of Pigs” invasion by Cuban exiles, which fails (makes US look bad + scares Cuba)
Cuba: Cont
* 1962 Missile Silos built in Cuba for nuclear weapons
*US threatens invasion, but settles for blockade until removed
Conflict in Nicaragua* Nicaragua US supported Dictator (Somoza) overthrown, aided by USSR. Nicaragua then aid revolt in El Salvador* US supports Contras (to try to overthrow Nicaragua)
Landmine victim
Confrontation in the Iran:
* Shah of Iran worked close with West to develop oil and reduced power of Islamic Church
* 1953 nationalists overthrow the shah. (US capture and arrest leader then return the shah)
* 1979 blaming US they capture our embassy and take hostages until 1/20/81
Iran: Cont.
* 1979 Religious leaders lead revolution and Shah flees
Conflict in Afghanistan
*Vietnam-like situation ends in 1989 when USSR leaves
* 1979 nationalists threaten to overthrow Communists in Afghanistan (USSR invades and US aids rebels)
Mujahedeen “freedom fighters”