Cuban Missile Crisis

Question 1

Cuban missile crisis 1962

Answer 1

The Cuban missile crisis was a 13 day confrontation between the US and Soviet Union concerning American ballistic missile deployment in turkey and Italy with consequent soviet missiles in Cuba.

Question 2

Causes

Answer 2

Failed Bay of Pigs Invasion of 1961
Presence of American missiles in Italy and Turkey
Soviet leader Khrushchev agreed to Cuba’s request to place nuclear missiles on the island to deter future invasions.

Question 3

How did it end?

Answer 3

Publicly, the Soviets would dismantle their offensive weapons in Cuba
U.S. public declaration and agreement never to invade Cuba again without direct provocation.

Question 4

Consequences - short term

Answer 4

Cuba survives but feels let down by its USSR allies
• USSR looks weak as no one knows about the USA’s secret withdrawal of missiles from Italy and Turkey
• USA advisors who advised peace and diplomacy over war look good as they avoided war

Question 5

Consequences - long term

Answer 5

The crisis showed how easily a nuclear war could start
Hotline was set up - both sides could communicate
Both sides agreed to ban all nuclear weapon testing above ground
USSR was determined to catch up with USA in the arms race
Khrushchev was forced from power in 1964