The Botched Invasion: Bay of Pigs

The video discusses the US's powerful military and its Cold War context, focusing on the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion. It explains Cuba's shift to communism under Fidel Castro, which posed a threat to US interests. The CIA's plan to invade Cuba using trained Cuban exiles failed due to Soviet intelligence leaks, leading to a humiliating defeat for the US. The Bay of Pigs is now seen as a major intelligence failure, with lessons on the importance of secrecy and strategic planning.

How did the US government respond to Fidel Castro's rise to power in Cuba?

What was the main objective of the CIA's plan to invade Cuba?

What role did Soviet spies play in the Bay of Pigs invasion?

What were the consequences of the Bay of Pigs invasion for the US government?

What lessons might the US government have learned from the Bay of Pigs invasion?