Subsequent to the Bay of Pigs invasion Khrushchev
threatened Kennedy stating his determination to
make a treaty with East Germany that would end the
West’s rights to access West Berlin
Khrushchev wanted to strengthen his
political position in the USSR
Khrushchev placed missiles to help defend
Cuba from America. Cuba was a communist
country and America feared the growth of
communism
America had already placed Missiles
in Turkey. By placing missiles in Cuba,
they were now evenly matched
For reassurance that the USSR
would be protected from any
military invasion
PREPARATION FOR NUCLEAR WAR
Upon hearing the news of the missiles stationed in Cuba,
Kennedy called upon EXCOMM to work on possible
solutions to the crisis.
EXCOMM was in favour of a surgical air
strike. However this would not
guarantee to destroy all of the missiles.
The Soviets could retaliate and possibly
kill millions
An invasion was also another popular
option. It would definitely remove the
missiles. Yet Kennedy still feared
retaliation from the Soviets and wanted a
peaceful solution
United Nations Role: Kennedy informed the
United Nations partially on the situation before
addressing the public. The U.S.A showed
evidence of missiles in Cuba; however the Soviet
ambassador rejects the claims that they placed
the missiles in Cuba.
The United States moved to
DefCon2 , prepared for a full-out
war.
It was decided that blockading Cuba would be a
temporary solution to the crisis. The United
States could stop further supplies upon
entering Cuba and surveillance any military
build-up
The Public were taught Military
tactics to prepare for possibility
of nuclear war
U2 plane was shot down over Cuba. These
added to the growing tensions between the
nations.
MOVEMENTS
Prior to Fidel Castro, Cuba was ruled by
tyrannical leader Fulgenico Batista. The Cuban
public had a strong hatred towards his cruel and
corrupt ideology, yet the U.S.A continued to
support him since he was an anti-communist.
From 1956, Fidel Castro led a campaign of guerrilla
warfare to overthrow the tyrannical leader. This
was known as Castro’s 26th Movement. Castro
assumes power in 1959.
Upon his ascend to power, Castro took
over many of the United States owned
businesses and developed strong links
with the USSR
On April 17th, the Bay of Pigs invasions (initiated by Eisenhower
administration) took place. The United States trained 1500 anti-Castro
exiles. The rebels landed upon the Bay of Pigs in Cuba in aim to destroy
Castro’s government. However the Kennedy administration withdrawal
of military support doomed the Cuban exiles. After a few days the rebel
force was defeated. This helped strengthen Castro’s authority and began
the tense relations between The United States and Cuba
CONSEQUENCES
Test Ban Treaty was signed on August
5th 1963 in Moscow by The USSR and the
United States. They agreed to stop the
testing of nuclear weapons everywhere.
On June 20th 1964 the USA and the USSR
decided to set up a direct phone line between
Moscow and Washington DC to prevent such
miscommunications occurring again.
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty was signed
in 1968 promising that no nation will supply
nuclear technology to other countries
On April 24th 1963,
the last of the
nuclear Jupiter
missiles were
removed from
Turkey
The 1,113 prisoners held prisoner
during the Bay of Pigs invasion
were exchanged by Fidel Castro
for $60 million dollars in food,
medicines and other necessities.
Relations between the Soviet Union
and the United States grew closer
Relations between the Soviet Union
and China grew further apart. Due to
the results of the Cuban Missile
Crisis, China claimed to be the true
leader of the Communist movement
Relations between Cuba and Soviet Union
were tremulous after Khrushchev
removed the missiles. Fidel Castro
accused the Russians of conceding to the
Americans and abandoning the Cuban
Revolution
Allies of America were angered as
President Kennedy EXCOM
administration concealed vital
negations that could have led to
an atomic war.
In 1964 Leonid Brezhnev
and Aleksei Kosygin forced
Khrushchev to withdraw
from power.
Kennedy was seen as a fearless,
powerful leader and therefore
continued to govern The United
States until his liquidation in 1963
Although not proven true, it is a popular
theory that Kennedy’s assassination was a due
to his participation in the Cuban Missile Crisis.
13 DAYS OF
TENSION
October 14th 1962: The United States U2
reconnaissance aircraft flies over Western Cuba
show photographical evidence of several
nuclear missile bases as well as Soviet IL-28
bombs and medium to intermediate range
ballistic missile nuclear missiles (MRBM and
IRBM)a
October 15th 1962: The National Photographic
Interpretation centres analysis of the photos confirms
existence of nuclear missiles. Photos are processed
and sent to President John F. Kennedy
October 16th 1962: Kennedy is informed of the construction of the
Soviet Missiles and convenes the Executive Committee of the National
Security Council (EXCOMM) to begin discussing solutions to the crisis.
Most members favoured a retaliation military strike against the sites.
However Kennedy opposed. After much calibration, Kennedy decided
to blockade Cuba to prevent any further supplies from entering Cuba.
October 18th 1962: Kennedy meets
with Gromyko, the Soviet Foreign
Minister. Kennedy addresses the
issue of Cuba but does not reveal
their knowledge of the bombs.
Gromyko denies knowledge of the
bombs.
October 22nd 1962: Kennedy makes a television
address informing the public of the knowledge
of Soviet Missiles in Cuba. Kennedy announces
their plan to blockade Cuba of further supplies.
Kennedy states that they will not end the
quarantine until the Soviet Union removes the
missiles.
October 23rd: The OAS supports
Kennedy’s military plan to
blockade Cuba. The first ships
move into the blockade line of
Cuba
October 24th 1962: Soviet ships reach the quarantine line. U.S vessels almost come close to firing at Soviet
vessels, but turned away. This would of possibly lead to a retaliation fire by the Soviet Union nuclear missiles.
October 25th 1962: The United Nations hold an emergency
council meeting. Americian politician and diplomat Adlai
Stevenson’s confronts the Soviet Ambassador Valerian
Zorin about the knowledge of Nuclear Missiles in Cuba.
The Soviet ambassador rejected the American accusation
that the Soviets placed the missiles in Cuba.
October 26th 1962: Premier
Khrushchev send a private letter to
John F Kennedy that states he will
remove the missiles from Cuba if
America pledges never to invade
Cuba. He later also states that he
will only remove missiles if
America removes their Jupiter
missiles from Turkey. Meanwhile
Castro presses Khrushchev to
launch a nuclear missile if America
decides to attack Cuba.
October 27th 1962: A Unite States aircraft is shot down over
Cuba. The Soviets demand that the U.S make a public
statement declaring that they will not invade Cuba and
remove Jupiter missiles from Turkey.
October28th 1962: Khrushchev
announces that he will remove
nuclear missiles from Cuba. America
secretly removes Jupiter missiles
from Turkey. The 13 days of tension is
over.