Cuban Missile Crisis and Detente

JFK

U.S. president from 1961–1963 who led America during major Cold War events like the Cuban Missile Crisis. He promoted anti-communist policies and increased U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

Nikita Khrushchev

Leader of the Soviet Union during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis and pushed for competition with the U.S. during the Cold War.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

A failed 1961 attempt by U.S.-backed Cuban exiles to overthrow Fidel Castro in Cuba. The failure embarrassed the Kennedy administration and strengthened Castro’s ties with the Soviet Union.

Domino Theory

The belief that if one country fell to communism, nearby countries would also fall like dominoes. This idea strongly influenced U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War, especially in Vietnam.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 13-day confrontation in 1962 between the U.S. and the Soviet Union over Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba. It brought the world close to nuclear war before both sides reached a compromise.

Détente

A period during the 1970s when the U.S. and Soviet Union improved relations and reduced Cold War tensions through diplomacy and arms agreements.

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks

A 1972 agreement between the U.S. and Soviet Union that limited certain nuclear weapons and missile systems. It was one of the first major arms control treaties of the Cold War.

Helsinki Accords

An agreement signed by 35 nations to improve relations between the communist and Western blocs. It also promoted human rights and cooperation in Europe.

Leonid Brezhnev

Soviet leader from 1964–1982 who oversaw a period of military buildup and détente with the United States. He also enforced strict communist control in Eastern Europe. Very involved with Detente.

Fidel Castro

Communist leader of Cuba who came to power after the Cuban Revolution in 1959. He allied Cuba closely with the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Richard Nixon

U.S. president from 1969–1974 who pursued détente with the Soviet Union and opened diplomatic relations with China. He also signed SALT I. Very involved with Detente.

Ostpolitik

A policy introduced by West Germany in the late 1960s to improve relations with East Germany and Eastern Europe. It aimed to reduce Cold War tensions through diplomacy and cooperation. Willy Brandt - leader of West Germany, wanted better relationship with East Germany.