Mary Allen
Introduction: The Bay of Pigs Invasion
The Bay of Pigs invasion was a failed attempt by the United States to overthrow the government of Cuba in 1961. It was a significant event during the Cold War and a major foreign policy setback for the newly elected US President John F. Kennedy. The invasion was planned and executed by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), using Cuban exiles as the main force. The aim was to establish a pro-American government in Cuba and undermine the influence of the Soviet Union in the region.
The Players: Who was Involved
The Bay of Pigs invasion involved several key players, including Cuba, the United States, the CIA, Brigade 2506, Fidel Castro, and John F. Kennedy. Cuba was the target of the invasion, as it was seen as a communist threat to the US. The US government, under the leadership of Kennedy, authorized the CIA to plan and execute the invasion. The CIA was the mastermind of the plan, using Cuban exiles as the main force. Brigade 2506 was a group of Cuban exiles who were trained and armed by the CIA to carry out the invasion. Fidel Castro was the leader of Cuba at the time and was the main target of the invasion.