The Cuban Missile Crisis

Question 1

Who was winning the Arms Race in the 40’s and 50’s and how could you tell?

Answer 1

America was the clear winner of the arms race. It had an early lead as the first nation to develop an atomic bomb and by 1961, had almost 20 times more nuclear weapons than the USSR. It also had specially equipped B25 bombers that were capable of dropping nuclear weapons on the Soviet Union.

Question 2

Why did the USA fear the USSR’s nuclear capability?

Answer 2

Although the USSR had relatively few weapons and absolutely no way of dropping them on America the USA was still concerned about the Soviet Union’s nuclear capabilities. In 1957, Russian scientists launched Sputnik 1, the world’s first man-made satellite. By 1960, the Russians had even landed a robotic spacecraft on the moon. Many Americans believed that they could use the same technology to launch nuclear weapons at America.

Question 3

Why couldn’t the USSR attack America?

Answer 3

They didn’t have enough money to mass produce ICBM’s.

Question 4

When was the Bay of Pigs incident?

Answer 4

April 1961.

Question 5

What were the causes of the Bay of Pigs incident?

Answer 5

Cuba had traditionally been an American ally. American presidents thought that this alliance was important because Cuba was only 90 miles away and therefore part of the American sphere of influence. In 1959, the Cuban Revolution occurred and Cuba’s pro-American government was overthrown. The new revolutionary regime, led by Fidel Castro, wanted greater independence from the US and as part of his new policies, Castro rook over American property located in Cuba. In response, America banned the import of Cuban sugar, a move that threatened to bankrupt the Cuban economy. Cuba turned to the USSR for help and Khrushchev was delighted to have an ally deep in the American sphere of influence. He agreed to offer economic aid to Cuba in order to help his new ally industrialise. President Eisenhower believed that the Cuban problem could be easily solved if the CIA assassinated Castro. President Kennedy, who then took over in 1960, hatched a new plan for a CIA backed revolution to overthrow Cuba’s Communist government and replace it with a capitalist government sympathetic to America. Kennedy thought that Castro’s government was unpopular and therefore assumed that when his small, well-trained force attacked the government, the Cuban people would join the revolution and overthrow Castro.

Question 6

What were the events of the Bay of Pigs incident?

Answer 6

Kennedy instructed the CIA to train and equip a group of Cuban refugees. In April 1961, they raided the Bay of Pigs. However, Kennedy had miscalculated and the Cuban people fought bravely in support of Castro’s government. About 1,500 Cuban exiles based in Florida had some backing from the USA in their attempt to invade and overthrow Castro. They received money and training from the CIA, however, at the last moment the US government withdrew military support and they were defeated within two days.

Question 7

What were the effects of the Bay of Pigs incident?

Answer 7

In spite of the Cuban victory, Castro felt vulnerable and feared another American attack. He asked Khrushchev to help him defend Cuba. In August 1961, Khrushchev devised a plan that would solve the problems of both Cuba and Russia. He decided to station Russian nuclear weapons on Cuba. This would deter America from attempting another invasion as well as placing Russian nuclear weapons within striking range of America. It meant that Khrushchev could attack America without spending large amounts of money developing intercontinental ballistic missiles. This led to the 13 days during which there seemed to be the greatest threat of nuclear war.

Question 8

What were the 13 days?

Answer 8

13 days where there seemed to be the biggest threat of nuclear war.

Question 9

When did the 13 days begin?

Answer 9

16th October 1961.

Question 10

Why did the 13 days happen?

Answer 10

Khrushchev decided to station Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba so that they could easily attack the USA.

Question 11

What happened on October 16th?

Answer 11

Kennedy was informed of Khrushchev’s plans to place nuclear missiles on Cuba.

Question 12

What happened on October 20th?

Answer 12

Kennedy decided to impose a naval blockade around Cuba to prevent further missiles reaching Cuba. Any military vessel or ship carrying materials for the bases would not be permitted to pass. Any attempt to pass would be met with force.

Question 13

What happened on October 22nd?

Answer 13

Kennedy gave a public address officially declaring the blockade and calling on Khrushchev to recall his ships.

Question 14

What happened on October 23rd?

Answer 14

Khrushchev sent a letter to Kennedy stating that Soviet ships would break through the blockade.

Question 15

What happened on October 24th?

Answer 15

Khrushchev issued a statement that the USSR was prepared to launch nuclear weapons if America went to war.

Question 16

What happened on October 25th?

Answer 16

American and Soviet armed forces were on the highest level of alert and were told to prepare for war. Kennedy wrote to Khrushchev asking him to withdraw the missiles from Cuba.

Question 17

What happened on October 26th?

Answer 17

October 26th – Khrushchev responded to Kennedy’s letter, saying that he would withdraw Soviet missiles as long as the USA guaranteed it would not invade Cuba.

Question 18

What happened on October 27th?

Answer 18

Khrushchev received intelligence that the USA was planning to invade Cuba within 24 hours. He proposed a deal; the USSR would withdraw missiles from Cuba if the USA agreed never to invade Cuba and to withdraw its nuclear missiles from Turkey. An American spy plane was shot down over Cuba and American ‘hawks’ demanded retaliation. Robert Kennedy (Kennedy’s brother and chief advisor) approached the Russian ambassador accepting Khrushchev’s deal but demanded the withdrawal of American missiles from Turkey must be kept secret.

Question 19

What happened on October 28th?

Answer 19

Khrushchev agreed to this secret deal.

Question 20

What were the events involving Cuba the following year?

Answer 20

On September 25th 1962, Khrushchev sent 114 Soviet ships carrying a secret cargo, including nuclear warheads and long range missiles, that would be used to construct nuclear bases to Cuba. By mid-October 1962, American spy planes had discovered what was going on. On September 22nd 1962, Kennedy addressed the American people and told them about the Soviet plans. Kennedy’s news shocked the world and many Americans panicked and started building nuclear shelters in preparation for nuclear war.

Question 21

What were the short term effects of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Answer 21

Khrushchev’s authority was undermined. Because the removal of American missiles from Turkey remained secret, it seemed to many that he had backed down and betrayed his allies in Cuba. It highlighted the fragility of international peace and the difficulties of negotiation between Russia and America in a crisis situation. The ‘hotline’ was agreed to. In June 1963, a direct communications link was set up between the American President in Washington and the Russian Premier in Moscow. It was opened because in the Cuban Missiles Crisis, it had sometimes taken several hours for the two sided to communicate – this development meant instant access to each other. The Limited Test Ban Treaty was introduced. In August 1963, the USA and the USSR agreed to ban the testing of all nuclear weapons in space, the sea and above ground. Underground nuclear tests were still permitted. In a speech in June 1963, Kennedy said that he was committed to working with the USSR and focus on their ‘common interests’. This was the beginning of a new policy called détente.

Question 22

What were the long term effects of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Answer 22

The leaders of the USSR were determined never again to be pushed around by the Americans. The Soviet government made every effort to catch up with America in the arms race. By 1965, the USA and the USSR were on equal footing in terms of their nuclear capability. This created greater stability in the relationship between the superpowers. American and Russian leaders realised that any nuclear war was bound to destroy both countries. This idea, known as the doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction gave both superpowers a reason for avoiding war. France decided to leave NATO. In the event of a nuclear war between America and Russia, the members of NATO would be obliged to fight alongside America. The French President, Charles de Gaulle, was appalled at the thought that France would be destroyed this way. Therefore, in 1966, France ended its military alliance with America and began to develop its own nuclear missiles.