Consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis
History: KS3, topic 20.1.17
Consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis
After the Cuban Missile Crisis, there were many consequences, both long term and short term. Ultimately, there was a move towards detente (a more relaxed relationship between West and East).
Short-term consequences
- Cuba survived as a communist country.
- Kennedy assured the world that the USA would never invade Cuba.
- The USA did not boast of victory.
- The USSR did not reveal that the USA had removed some missiles from Turkey.
Approval ratings
- Kennedy’s public approval improved.
- But the Soviet Union looked weak because the world did not know that the US had removed some of their missiles from locations in Turkey.
- Khrushchev was ousted as Soviet leader in 1964.
Long-term consequences
- There was a move towards detente (a more relaxed relationship between West and East).
- Kennedy wanted to focus more on the ‘common interests’ between the two countries.
Long-term solutions
- A hotline was set up between the US President in the White House and the Russian leader in the Kremlin.
- This would help to avoid instances like the Cuban Missile Crisis happening again.
The Limited Test Ban Treaty
- In August 1963, the Limited Test Ban Treaty was signed.
- Both sides agreed that only underground tests of nuclear weapons would be allowed.
- The Soviets still continued to get as many and as powerful nuclear weapons as the USA.
- They achieved this in 1965.
Other treaties
- The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 agreed to limit the use of nuclear weapons in space.
- In 1968, both countries signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
- This agreed that nuclear weapons could not be given to any other countries.
Test yourself on Consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis
Which 1963 treaty stopped nuclear weapons being tested above ground?
Why did the USSR look weak after the Cuban Missile Crisis?