Introduction: The Cold War
After World War II, the world was divided into two large inimical groups led by former allies, the United States and the Soviet Union. The United States and their Western European allies formed the democratic Western Bloc, lead by a capitalist mindset. On the other hand, the Soviet Union led the communist alliance. It consisted of Eastern European and Central Asian nations, where the Soviet influence was tenacious. |
The Cuban Missile Crisis: How did it start?
After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, Cuba (former ally of the US) began to form a relationship with the Soviet Union. In response to this, the US attempted to overturn the communist government of Fidel Castro. They did so by using a group of CIA-trained Cuban exiles, but suffered an utter defeat. In an attempt to prevent any further invasions, the Soviet Premier deployed a set of ballistic missiles in Cuba. This was the beginning of the 'Cuban Missile Crisis', which may have possibly ended in total nuclear war.
After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, Cuba (former ally of the US) began to form a relationship with the Soviet Union. In response to this, the US attempted to overturn the communist government of Fidel Castro. They did so by using a group of CIA-trained Cuban exiles, but suffered an utter defeat. In an attempt to prevent any further invasions, the Soviet Premier deployed a set of ballistic missiles in Cuba. This was the beginning of the 'Cuban Missile Crisis', which may have possibly ended in total nuclear war.
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A timeline of the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) October 14 An American U2 aircraft spotted the missiles in Cuba and the CIA informed John F. Kennedy about it the next morning in Washington DC. The medium range ballistic missiles had the ability to launch as far as DC, and the long range ballistic missiles could reach almost the entire area of the US.President John F. Kennedy was faced with many choices. The National Security Council declared that full scale attack and invasion of Cuba was the only option. This would lead to a Soviet retaliation, leading to total nuclear war. Kennedy did not think this was a rational idea, as the Soviets only had about 340 nukes compared to the US’s 5000. October 18 On October 18, Kennedy met with the Soviet minister of foreign affairs (Andrei Gromyko), who assured him that any Soviet weapons in Cuba were only ‘defensive’. October 19 The US set up a ‘Quarantine’ (a Blockade was considered an act of war), which kept them in control without having to use aggression. Any Soviet ships found to be carrying weapons to Cuba would be turned back. October 22 The US moved to DEFCON 3. The world stirred uncomfortably, wondering how dangerous the threat was. Schools in the US began to have emergency drill training, where the students would be trained to hide under desks and take shelter in case of a surprise attack. October 24 Nikita Khrushchev publicly compared the quarantine to piracy and warned Kennedy that this was an act of aggression. October 25 the photos of the missiles were shown the United Nations security council in front of the Soviet ambassador, who had refused to confirm their existence. October 26 The US moved to DEFCON 2. (DEFON 1 meant nuclear war). Everyone was in complete shock and the world was bracing themselves for total nuclear war. Fidel Castro also suggested to Khrushchev, that the Soviets should attack first, before the US had a chance. October 27 At the brink of war, the Soviets and the Americans had finally came to an agreement that literally saved the world. The Soviets would remove the missiles from Cuba, and the US would remove their 'Jupiter Missiles' from Italy and Turkey. The United States also pledges to leave Cuba alone. November The weapons were safely dismantled and were on their way back home and the blockade was dropped. |
Influential Figures of the Cuban Missile Crisis
President John F. KennedyAmerican politician - served as the 35th President of the United States
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Nikita KhrushchevFormer First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
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Fidel CastroCuban politician and revolutionary - Served as Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba
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Conclusion:
In conclusion to this topic, the Cuban Missile Crisis was the closest encounter to nuclear war we’ve had in the 20th century. After the Cold War formed the two superpowers (the US and USSR), there wanted to demonstrate how strong they were. This eventually lead to dangerous tactical acts of weapon deployment being carried out by both countries, which was perceived to be a threat by their enemies. Eventually, these threats built up enough tension between the two superpowers and that caused a monumental retaliation. As the world was coming closer total nuclear war, they reacted helplessly as they had no power. Luckily, both superpowers came to an agreement that was beneficial for both of them thanks to the cooperation of the two leaders.
In conclusion to this topic, the Cuban Missile Crisis was the closest encounter to nuclear war we’ve had in the 20th century. After the Cold War formed the two superpowers (the US and USSR), there wanted to demonstrate how strong they were. This eventually lead to dangerous tactical acts of weapon deployment being carried out by both countries, which was perceived to be a threat by their enemies. Eventually, these threats built up enough tension between the two superpowers and that caused a monumental retaliation. As the world was coming closer total nuclear war, they reacted helplessly as they had no power. Luckily, both superpowers came to an agreement that was beneficial for both of them thanks to the cooperation of the two leaders.
Works Cited
"About the Crisis." Cuban Missile Crisis. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2015. <http://www.cubanmissilecrisis.org/background/>.
"CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS." History.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2015. <http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/cuban-missile-crisis>.
Cuban Missile Crisis in 5 Minutes. Prod. John D. Ruddy. John D Ruddy, 24 Aug. 2014. Web. 21 Oct. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtDAQB1sA9k>.
"Cuban Missile Crisis." John F. Kennedy. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2015. <http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-in-History/Cuban-Missile-Crisis.aspx>.
"Cuban Missile Crisis: Nikita Khrushchev's Cuban Gamble Misfired." The Guardian. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2015. <http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/oct/22/cuban-missile-crisis-nikita-khrushchev>.
"Kennedy Announces Blockade of Cuba During the Missile Crisis: October 22, 1962." PunditFromAnotherPlanet. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2015. <http://punditfromanotherplanet.com/2014/10/23/kennedy-announces-blockade-of-cuba-during-the-missile-crisis-october-22-1962/>.
Munton, Don, and David A. Welch. The Cuban Missile Crisis. N.p.: Oxford UP, 2007. Print.
"Presidents | Cuban Missile Crisis." Cuban Missile Crisis. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2015. <http://www.cubanmissilecrisis.org/lessons/lessons-from-presidents/>.
Senker, Cath. Days Of Decision - Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.