Cuban Missile Crisis

Causes #1: Cuban Revolution

1. Replacing Corruption: addressing the rampant corruption of the previous government

2. Reducing U.S. Influence: Ending economic dependence on the US

3. Cuban Revolution & Communist Alignment(1959)

   • Castro overthrew the Cuban dictator Batista, esablishing a communist government allied with the USSR, which alarmed the US due to Cuba’s proximity to Florida

Causes #2: Economic Sanctions & Bay of Pigs

• Nationalization of Industries: Castro nationalized American-owned refineries and other businesses after the US refused to refine Soviet oil

  • followed by the seizure of 383 private-run businesses and then further 166 U.S. company properties.

• Economic Sanctions(1961): The US imposed sanctions and authorized the training of anti-Castro exiles

• Bay of Pigs Invasion(1961): A CIA-directed invasion by Cuban exiles failed, strengthening Castro’s position and pushing him closer to the Soviet Union

Causes #3: Soviet Motivations

1. Nuclear Deterrence: USSR was vulnerable to US medium-range missiles in Turkey and Europe - Placing missiles in Cuba would balance this threat

2. Protecting Cuba: After the Bay of Pigs invasion, Castro requested Soviet assistance to defend against future US invasions

   1. (1962) Khruschev agreed to place nuclear missiles in Cuba to deter US invasion; construction of missile sites began soon after

3. Spreading Revolution: Soviets aimed to support the revolutionary movement in Latin America and the Carribean

Causes #4: Discovery of Missiles & the US Response

1. U-2 Spy Plane Photos: (1962) U.S. reconnaissance planes discovered Soviet missile sites in Cuba

2. Kennedy’s Quarantine: President Kennedy announced a naval quarantine of Cuba, warning that any violation would be seen as a hostile act

Causes #4: Role of Brinkmanship & Diplomancy

1. Brinkmanship: crisis exemplified the policy of brinkmanship, where both superpowers pushed each other to the edge of nuclear war

2. (MAD): crisis reinforced the concept that nuclear war was unthinkable due to the catastrophic consequences for both sides

3. Diplomatic Resolution: the crisis was resolved with negotiations, with the Soviets agreeing to remove the missiles in exchange for a U.S. promise not to invade Cuba and a secret agreement to remove U.S. missiles from Turkey

Impacts #1: Strengthening of Nuclear Deterrence

• (MAD): Crisis reinforced the concept of MAD, where both superpowers recognized that a nuclear war would lead to destruction

• Shift from Brinkmanship to Diplomacy(1963): The crisis demonstrated the risks of brinkmanship, leading to a greater emphasis on diplomacy and negotiation

  • e.g. crisis led to the establishment of a direct communication line between Washington and Moscow, known as the “hotline,” to prevent future misunderstandings

Impact #2: US-Soviet Relations

• Temporary Thaw in Tensions:

  • crisis led to a brief period of improved relations, with both sides recognizing the need to avoid nuclear confrontation

• Arms Control Agreement

  • Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty(1963), prohibited nuclear tests in outer space, underwater or in the atmosphere

Impact #3: Long-Term Arms Control Initatives

• Lessons from the crisis, informed later crisis diplomacy, emphasizing careful communication, patience and avoiding rash military actions

  • crisis spurred multiple arms control efforts over the next decade including the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty(1968), Strategic Arms Limitation Talks(1969), and other treaties focused on reducing nuclear risks

Significance #1: Nuclear Deterrence & Brinkmanship

• Crisis exemplified the policy of brinkmanship, where both superpowers pushed each other to the edge of the conflict, highlighting the dangers of nuclear escalation

Significance #2: Superpower Diplomacy

• the resolution of the crisis through direct communication between Kennedy and Khrushchev demonstrated the importance of diplomacy over military action - led to the establishment of a direct hotline between Washington and Moscow to prevent further misunderstandings(1963)

Significance #3: Legacy of Peaceful Coexistence

• The crisis reinforced the idea of peaceful coexistence between the superpowers. Krushev’s willingness to de-escalate, despite domestic criticism, paved the way for future detente efforts

Perspective #1: Khruschev(Soviet Premier)

• viewed missile deployment to Cuba as a strategic move to counter US threats, support cuba and influence Berlin debates

Valuable:

• Superpower leader; insight into decision-making and motivations of USSR

Limited:

• bias; leader of USSR, secrecy and information gaps; political constraints and messaging

Perspective #2: Robert Kennedy

• desired diplomacy and wanted to avoid military escalation; supported

Valuable

• played a key role in secret diplomacy

Limited

Perspective #3: Anatoly Dobrynin

• served as a critical channel for communication with US during the crisis, facilitating back channel deals

• served in best-interest of USSR, however, desired diplomacy

Valuable:

Perspective #3:

• felt threatened by US aggression and opposed secrecy about missile deployment; willing to sacrifice nation to ensure (MAD) on US