1959-1962 The Cuban Missile Crisis

Question 1

What happened in Cuba in 1959?

Answer 1

Cuba was an island close to the USA. It had previously worked very closely with the USA. In 1959 there was a revolution in Cuba, and Fidel Castro, a communist, took over the country.

Question 2

What happened in the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion?

Answer 2

The USA supported a group of Cuban exiles (people from Cuba who had fled when Castro took over) to invade Cuba and remove Castro from power. The invasion was a
failure and it became clear that the USA had supported the exiles. Castro was forced to look to the USSR for support and protection.

Question 3

What happened during the ‘Thirteen Days’ in 1962?

Answer 3

The USA saw nuclear missile bases on the island of Cuba, and USSR ships carrying nuclear missiles sailing towards Cuba. If the USSR was able to put nuclear weapons
on Cuba they would be able to target most US cities. The US put in place a naval blockade—they threatened to stop the USSR ships if they tried to get past them. The
USSR said they would break through the blockade and both sides prepared for war. A deal was reached: the USSR would not put missiles on Cuba, and the USA would
remove missiles from Turkey and promise not to invade Cuba.

Question 4

What were the consequences of the CMC?

Answer 4

The Cuban Missile Crisis showed how easy a nuclear war could start. The US and USSR tried to improve their relationship to avoid a conflict happening:
 A ‘hotline’ was created. This was a telephone line direct from the President to the leader of the USSR
 Limited Test Ban Treaty—Nuclear testing was banned unless it was underground
 Outer Space Treaty—the USA and USSR agreed not to put nuclear weapons in space