CLEP US History II

Answer: E - The disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, a failed attempt to overthrow Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, led to Soviet aid for Cuba, the installation of Soviet nuclear weapons on the island, and the subsequent Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, which was the most tense period of the Cold War. President Kennedy followed CIA advice and authorized the Bay of Pigs invasion, in which U.S. operatives attempted to aid Cuban dissidents in overthrowing Castro. The attempt failed miserably due to poor planning, bad execution, and ill-equipped personnel. Moreover, it brought an end to internal rebellion in Cuba, making future attempts to remove Castro from power unlikely and considerably more difficult. The failure was a severe embarrassment for Kennedy and the greatest failure of his administration. However, he recovered from it remarkably well, accepting total responsibility for the failure. It was a turning point in his presidency, as he committed himself to being better informed and more strategic from that point forward. His avoidance of nuclear confrontation during the Cuban Missile Crisis was subsequently a great success for his administration.