The Political Coexistence of the United States with Cuba, 1961-1975

Book excerpt: This book investigates the phenomenon of the political coexistence of the United States with Cuba that developed between the beginning of the John F. Kennedy administration and the Cold War détente of the mid-1970s. It is revealed that due to the US global commitments, related to the Cold War and the risk of confrontation with the Soviet Union, the political approach of Washington to the Fidel Castro’s Cuba constituted a perpetuated condition of suspense between war and peace. Despite the failure of both the US hostile policies and diplomatic dialogue with Castro, the mutual tension remained under control of recurrent crisis management course. Ultimately, the US attempts to discipline and moderate Cuban policies led to an actual political coexistence between the two countries, establishing a long-term dynamics of the US attitude toward Cuba for the following decades. By combining a historical approach with political and international analysis through broad reference to primary sources, the study offers an insightful investigation of the global processes affecting the U.S. – Cuban dynamics of political coexistence. This volume will be of great value to those studying American history, 20th century history, international relations and political science across North America, Europe and other parts of the world.