Cuban missle crisis Flashcards
What was the Cuban Missile Crisis?
A 13-day confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.
What triggered the Cuban Missile Crisis?
The discovery of Soviet nuclear missiles deployed in Cuba, just 90 miles from the U.S. mainland.
When did the U.S. U-2 spy planes photograph missile sites in Cuba?
On October 14, 1962.
What did President John F. Kennedy do on October 16, 1962?
He convened the Executive Committee of the National Security Council (ExComm) to consider options.
What naval action did Kennedy announce on October 22, 1962?
A naval ‘quarantine’ of Cuba to prevent further Soviet shipments of missiles.
What was the U.S. military’s alert status during the crisis?
The U.S. military was placed on high alert, with Strategic Air Command at DEFCON 2.
What happened to Soviet ships approaching the quarantine zone?
They turned back to avoid confrontation.
What agreement was reached on October 28, 1962?
Khrushchev agreed to dismantle and remove the missiles from Cuba in exchange for a U.S. pledge not to invade Cuba.
What secret agreement did Kennedy make regarding U.S. missiles?
He agreed to withdraw U.S. nuclear missiles from Turkey.
What was the Cold War significance of the Cuban Missile Crisis?
It is regarded as the closest the Cold War came to nuclear conflict, highlighting superpower rivalry.
What treaty resulted from the Cuban Missile Crisis?
The Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty of 1963, banning above ground nuclear tests.
What communication link was established after the crisis?
The Moscow–Washington hotline to prevent future crises.
What were the geopolitical implications of the missile deployment?
It aimed to counter U.S. missile superiority and protect Cuba from invasion.
How did the crisis affect Fidel Castro?
He was angered by the Soviet decision to withdraw missiles without consulting him.
What psychological impact did the crisis have on superpowers?
It exposed the limits of escalation, fostering a cautious approach in future confrontations.
What was the impact on Kennedy’s reputation?
It enhanced his reputation for crisis management but revealed internal divisions within both governments.
