Cuban missile crisis

"What caused the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)?

After the failed US Bay of Pigs invasion (1961), Castro turned to the USSR for protection; Khrushchev secretly placed nuclear missiles on Cuba, just 90 miles from the USA, which US spy planes then photographed."

"What were the key events of the Cuban Missile Crisis (the '13 days')?

US U-2 spy planes found Soviet missile sites; Kennedy set up a naval 'quarantine' (blockade) around Cuba; Soviet ships turned back; after tense negotiations Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles."

"How was the Cuban Missile Crisis resolved?

Khrushchev removed the missiles from Cuba in return for a US public promise not to invade Cuba, and a SECRET agreement that the USA would later remove its Jupiter missiles from Turkey."

"What were two consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

(1) A direct 'hotline' was set up between Washington and Moscow to prevent future escalation. (2) It led to arms-control agreements, starting with the Limited Test Ban Treaty (1963)."

"Why was the Cuban Missile Crisis a turning point in the Cold War?

It was the closest the world came to nuclear war; the shock pushed both superpowers towards easing tension (the start of detente), with the hotline and Test Ban Treaty as first steps."

"EXAM SKILL: How do you write an 'analytical narrative' of the Cuban Missile Crisis (8 marks)?

Tell the story in clear STAGES and link them: cause (Bay of Pigs -> missiles placed) -> discovery (U-2 photos) -> response (blockade) -> climax (stand-off) -> resolution (deal) -> outcome (hotline, Test Ban). Show HOW each stage led to the next, not just a list of events."