Two effects of the Cuban Missile Crisis

Question 1

1st consequence

Answer 1

The first effect of the Cuban Missile Crisis was that the relations and the reputation of Kennedy and Khrushchev changed.

• Kennedy showed himself to be a strong leader, not only in challenging Khrushchev but also in challenging the hawks in his government.

His popularity increased significantly in the USA, particularly as the agreement over Turkey (removing the missiles) had not been made public. Therefore, he had more confidence in his dealings with the Soviet Union

• However, Khrushchev became more unpopular as the military felt that they had been forced into a humiliating withdrawal. This led to his dismissal in 1964

Question 2

2nd consequence

Answer 2

The second effect of the Cuban Missile Crisis was that the world became a safer place.

• Neither side wanted a nuclear war as they knew such weapons would destroy the world many times over
• the ‘hotline’ was created (In June 1963). This was a direct communications line set up between Washington and Moscow. However, this was not used very often - only by Brezhnev and Nixon to discuss the war between Pakistan and India.
• in 1968, the nuclear non-proliferation treaty was signed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. Countries that signed up to the treaty agreed not to share their nuclear technology with other countries, whilst they worked towards disarmament.