19.1.16

The Cuban Missile Crisis

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The Cuban Missile Crisis

In October 1962, the USA discovered Soviet Union missile sites on Cuba. President Kennedy and his team had to decide the best course of action.

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Origins of the crisis

  • In October 1962, the USA discovered Soviet Union missile sites on Cuba.
    • Cuba had allowed the Soviet Union to station (put) missiles there to act as a deterrent to stop the USA attacking Cuba again.
  • There was panic in the USA when the public learned about the missile sites in Cuba.
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The options for Kennedy

  • The ‘hawks’ wanted immediate action, while the ‘doves’ wanted to avoid a nuclear war at all costs.
  • America could have invaded Cuba, destroyed the missile sites from the air, blockaded the island, launched a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union, warned Castro or done nothing.
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Kennedy's decision

  • On the 20th October 1962, President Kennedy decided not to attack Cuba.
  • Instead he blockaded the island in what was called a “quarantine zone”.
  • This was to stop more Soviet missiles arriving in Cuba.
  • However, the Soviets ignored blockade.
    • 25th October 1962: USA and USSR are both prepared for an immediate nuclear strike.
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27th October

  • 27th October: Cuba is ready for an invasion by the United States.
  • The USSR agrees to remove missiles from Cuba if the USA removes its warheads from Italy and Turkey.
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27th October cont.

  • On the same day, a US spy plane is shot down over Cuba.
  • This leads to calls in America for retaliation.
  • Robert Kennedy reaches a deal with the USSR:
    • The US withdraws some warheads (from Europe) in secret.
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The end of the crisis

  • 28th October: In a public broadcast, Khrushchev (leader of the USSR) agrees to withdraw Soviet missiles from Cuba.
  • Soviet ships never crossed the blockade and war was avoided.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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