Why did the USSR place missiles in Cuba?

Why did the USSR place missiles in Cuba?

1. To prove to the US that they had a strong ally close to them.

   • The US had placed their missiles in Turkey, very close to Russia
     • If the US fired their rockets from Turkey, the USSR wouldn't be able to stop them from going off.
       • If the USSR fired their rockets from Cuba, the US wouldn't be able to react in time.

2. To test Kennedy

   • After their first meeting in Vienna, Khrushchev got the impresion that he could bully Kennedy.
     • Khrushchev put this theory to the test in Cuba, and awaited Kennedy's reaction.

3. To bargain with the USA

   • By placing the missiles in Cuba, Khrushchev could blackmail the USA into doing what he wanted.
     • He could either make the USA remove their missiles from Turkey.
     • Or he could expand the USSR's territory and have previously agreed with the US that they wouldn't resist.

4. To improve relations with Cuba

   • The missiles offered Cuba protection that the US wouldn't dare risk being used. This gave Cuba the breathing space it needed in order to grow.
     • By maintaining a strong relationship with Cuba, it ensured that communism had a strong ally in an area predominantly dominated by the capitalists.