The Cuban Missile Crisis

Narrative account:

1. On 14 October 1962, an American U-2 spy plane took pictures of launch pads for medium-range

ballistic missiles on Cuba.

2. These could carry nuclear warheads that could destroy US cities.

3. US intelligence discovered a fleet of Soviet ships sailing to Cuba, presumably with the missiles

themselves on board.

4. It was believed the missiles could become operational in two weeks.

5. Kennedy could not allow missiles to be placed on Cuba, but a military response risked all-out war.

6. On 16 October, called an Executive Committee (ExComm) to discuss solutions. ‘Hawks’ argued for a

military response while ‘doves’ wanted a peaceful solution.

7. On 22 October, Kennedy put a naval blockade around Cuba.

8. On 24 October, the Soviet ships reached the blockade and turned around.

9. On 26 October, Khrushchev sent Kennedy a telegram offering to remove missiles from Cuba if

America agreed not to invade.

10. On 27 October, Khrushchev sent another telegram saying he would remove the missiles only if US

missiles in Turkey were not removed.

11. Also on 27 October, an American U2 spy plane was shot down.

12. Khrushchev ignored the second telegram and agreed to the first telegram. However, his brother,

Robert Kennedy, did secretly agree to remove the Turkish missiles.

Consequences:

1. It showed the dangers of brinkmanship and led both sides to seek more peaceful solutions.

2. In June 1963, a ‘hotline’ was set up to allow direct communication between the leaders of the USA

and USSR.

3. In August 1963, a Test Ban Treaty was signed by the USA, USSR and Britain, which banned nuclear

testing in outer space, underwater or in the atmosphere.

4. In 1967, the Outer Space Treaty banned putting nuclear weapons into orbit.

5. In 1968, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty banned nuclear powers sharing their technology with

other countries.

6. This desire for more peaceful solutions eventually contributed to the détente of the 1970s.