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”