The Bay of Pigs Invasion
I can analyse the causes, events and consequences of the Bay of Pigs Invasion.
The Bay of Pigs Invasion
I can analyse the causes, events and consequences of the Bay of Pigs Invasion.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The USA opposed the Castro government in Cuba.
- The Bay of Pigs Invasion attempted to overthrow Castro.
- The Bay of Pigs Invasion was a failure.
- The USA's reputation was damaged by the invasion.
- Cuba and the Soviet Union deepened their relations after the invasion.
Keywords
Provenance - the background of a source including who, why, and when it was written
Satellite - a country controlled by or depending on a more powerful country
CIA - stands for Central Intelligence Agency; a US intelligence agency used for spying and organising secret operations in other countries
Exile - someone who has been forced to leave their home and live somewhere else, often for political reasons
Common misconception
The Bay of Pigs Invasion directly involved US combat forces.
JFK refused to involve US ground troops or air support in the invasion whcih relied upon a small group of Cuban exiles.
To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: The Bay of Pigs Invasion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: The Bay of Pigs Invasion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Cold War transformation: was the world on the brink of a nuclear war? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended