The Cuban Missile Crisis
History: KS3, topic 20.1.16
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on The Cuban Missile Crisis
When did the Cuban Missile Crisis take place?
The Events of the Cuban Missile Crisis