Cuban Missile Crisis 1962 Flashcards
How did Krushchev justify moving in troops?
He claimed that this was done to defend Cubans from further attacks and he claimed unlike the US missile bases in Turkey and Italy, the move was very passive.
When were military bases getting set up by Soviet technicians, including ballistic missile bases ?
In September 1962.
When did events begin to turn sour?
On October 14th, a U2 plane took a photo at Cuba of intermediate range missile bases, (IRBM bases), with these missiles being able to hit any US city and threatening security.
How did Kennedy react?
He set up a cabinet with 12 advisors including his brother Robert. They discussed options…
- Bomb Cuba and the USSR with nuclear missiles.
- invade Cuba.
- Use an air strike to destroy missile bases.
- do nothing.
What was JFK’s decision?
A blockade was set around Cuba with 3300km covered. The aim was to prevent Soviet ships from delivering military materials. Polaris submarines were ready for action and 156 ICBMs were made ready for combat.
Air Force bombers were on patrol and troops on alert.
What were the key events with the blockade? (22-24 oct)
22nd Oct - Kennedy made a speech stating any Soviet convoys approaching the US would be stopped, those containing missiles would be made to turn around.
24th October - 18 Soviet ships holding equipment were turned around to avoid confrontation as part of quarantine. Kennedy demanded withdrawal of missiles and claimed failure to do so would lead to invasion.
When were Krushchev’s letters sent? What did they state?
26th Oct - the Soviets would remove missiles if US removed blockade and promised not to invade Cuba.
27th Oct - the Soviets would remove their missiles if the US removed missiles from Turkey. A U2 plane was shot as it passed over Cuba worsening the crisis.
What happened on Oct 28, 1962?
JFK, at the suggestion of his brother, ignored the second letter and accepted the first, adding that if the Soviets didn’t approve of the terms by the 29th of October, this would lead to immediate invasion.
The Soviets agreed and the US promised to remove their missiles from Cuba.
What were the results?
Krushchev criticised by Mao Zedong and USSR for setting up missile bases and then removing them.
Victory for the US against communism.
Krushchev saw this as a victory as he had saved Cuba from invasion.
The turkey missiles were removed.
A hotline was set up between Washington DC and Kremlin, Moscow.
What agreements followed the crisis?
The partial test ban treaty - 1963 - testing banned in the atmosphere.
Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, 1968 - this aimed to get countries to stop developing nuclear weapons.
As the superpowers saw the potential of world destruction at the crisis, they started Strategic Arms Limitation Talks in 1969 as a policy of detente where reduction in tension was the aim.
In 1963, the US supplied the USSR with grain after a bad harvest.
In 1966, the French feeling uninvolved in agreements, withdrew from the military side of NATO.
What decision made by Castro increased tension?
In 1961 Castro announced conversion to communism and by the end of 1961 Soviet troops and combat units were on the island. Krushchev saw this as the spreading of communism to Latin America.
