Cuban Missile Crisis

Background to the Crisis

-1959: Fidel Castro leads a revolution in Cuba and turns toward the Soviet Union for support

-U.S. relationship deteriorates → Castro fears another U.S. attempt to overthrow him

Bay of Pigs (1961)

-Failed U.S.-backed invasion by Cuban exiles

-Embarrassing defeat for Kennedy

-Pushes Castro closer to the USSR for protection

Soviet Motives

-Khrushchev wants to protect Cuba from another U.S. invasion

-USSR wants to close the “missile gap” because U.S. has missiles in Turkey pointed at the Soviet Union

U-2 Spy Plane Discovery (October 1962)

-U.S. aerial photos reveal Soviet nuclear missiles being built in Cuba

-Missiles could strike major U.S. cities within minutes

Why It’s a Crisis

-First time the USSR placed nuclear weapons outside its borders

-U.S. military leaders warn missiles could become operational in two weeks

-Kennedy must choose a response quickly → EXCOMM meets in secret

• Executive Committee of the National Security Council - JFK’s secret group of top advisors during the Cuban Missile Crisis

Kennedy’s Chosen Option

-Kennedy orders a naval quarantine/blockade of Cuba

-U.S. Navy will stop Soviet ships from bringing more missiles

-U.S. military is secretly placed on DEFCON 2 (highest ever in U.S. history except for active war)

Soviet Response

-Soviet ships approach the blockade line… then turn back

-Tense back-and-forth letters between Khrushchev and Kennedy

Final Deal (Public + Secret)

-Public agreement: USSR removes missiles from Cuba

-U.S. promise: No invasion of Cuba

-Secret agreement: U.S. quietly removes its Jupiter missiles from Turkey within a few months

Why This Was the Closest We Came to Nuclear War

-Some Soviet missiles in Cuba were already partially operational

-Local Soviet commanders had tactical nuclear weapons if the U.S. invaded

-Miscommunications and false alerts nearly triggered escalation

Long-Term Outcomes

-Hotline established between Washington and Moscow to prevent miscommunication

-Leads to Limited Test Ban Treaty (1963) — beginning of arms control

-Crisis is seen as a turning point toward détente (reduced tensions)