The Bay of Pigs
By: Donovan McCampbell
Summary
During the Cold War, the US government approved a plan to train Cuban exiles to fight in a revolt against the communist-based Cuban government. This was another event fueled strongly by containment. The Cuban government, however, caught wind of this plan rather early on, diminishing American advantage. The invasion was surrounded by many mishaps, including intelligence being leaked, failed airstrikes, poor weather, and even timezone changes.
Air Strike
Cuban air force counter attack being fought off by exile troops
Ground fight
Ground troops invaded the southern coast of Cuba
Counter Attack
The Cuban counter attack left many casualties on the anti-communist invasion
Effect on America
The invasion not only was an immense failure in its own right, but also left the American people confused and upset as to why their government would engage in covert, behind-the-scenes military actions, instead of doing something ourselves. The failure of the invasion left America, in the eyes of the rest of the world, looking pretty foolish for using rather, "petty," methods to fight another country, and then attempt to deny actions taken. This embarrassing action also further enlarged the credibility gap that was already prevalent in American culture during the Cold War, making it even more difficult for the government to win over the trust of its own people. And, obviously, the American foreign policy took a major hit after these events unraveled, other countries had difficulty taking the actions of such an untrustworthy, and embarrassed, country seriously. This doesn't even include the further distaste for America on behalf of the Cuban government.