1. Why was there a Cuban Missile Crisis?
The Cold War
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2. What we will learn today
Learn how the Cuban Missile Crisis was the ‘hottest’ moment of the Cold War.
Examine the significance of Cuba.
Explore the decisions made by both Superpowers.
Establish the impact of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

3. The individuals involved…

4. Why do you think that the USA was worried?
The significance of Cuba
Cuba is a large island in the Caribbean, about 90 miles from Miami, Florida, USA.
Before 1959, the USA had many troops stationed in Cuba and had vast sums of money invested in the country. The Cuban government was seen by many as corrupt.
In 1959, the anti-capitalist Fidel Castro lead a revolution and took power by force.
He asked for economic assistance. When the USA refused, Castro made a deal with the USSR.
Why do you think that the USA was worried?

5. The Bay of Pigs fiasco Impact
In April 1961 US-backed Cuban exiles invaded Cuba at the Bay of Pigs. The USA thought this would start a revolution against Castro.
The invasion was a total disaster. Cubans were pleased with Castro’s reforms, offering improved living and social conditions. Castro had overwhelming support.
What would this make Castro feel? How might he react?
How did the USA appear after the event?
Impact
Who else might now get involved? What would they want?
What could the USA now do?
Complete your own spider diagram about the Bay of Pigs.

6. Think why Khrushchev was only too willing to help!
Why did Khrushchev offer to help?
After the Bay of Pigs invasion, Castro was worried about further invasions. He asked for Khrushchev's help – and the USSR promised to help Cuba with weapons.
Think why Khrushchev was only too willing to help!
Opportunity to redress the ‘failure’ over Berlin.
Would mean USSR had weapons base within 90 miles of US eastern coast.
USSR nuclear weapon deployment was far inferior to USA.
Khrushchev knew that USA had missiles in Turkey – he wanted the equivalent.
Putting nuclear weapons on Cuba would put pressure on the USA.
US missiles in Turkey meant USA had ‘total coverage’ of USSR.

7. Who had the most nuclear bases?

8. Just how serious was this?
October 1962 – what happened?
On 15 October 1962, a U-2 spy plane took photographs of Cuba.
These showed the construction of long-range Soviet missile launching sites. No actual missiles were identified.
Further spy photographs revealed Soviet ships travelling towards Cuba carrying long-range nuclear weapons.
Just how serious was this?

9. How dangerous were missiles on Cuba?

10. The wrong decision would lead to nuclear war.
What could the USA do?
President Kennedy organized ExComm (the Executive Committee). This was group of political and military advisors including Robert Kennedy and Theodore Sorensen. They debated what to do day and night for nearly seven days!
The wrong decision would lead to nuclear war.

11. What decision should ExComm have taken?
Put yourself in the position of ExComm. Consider each of the below proposals.
Suggest positive and negative reasons for acting on each.
do nothing
launch a full-scale invasion of Cuba
send US troops into Berlin
undertake a ‘surgical strike’ on the missile bases
blockade the island
order the CIA to assassinate Castro.
What decision should ExComm have taken?

12. Why do you think Kennedy took this decision?
What did the USA do?
On 22 October, Kennedy announced a “strict quarantine on all offensive military equipment under shipment to Cuba”. If Soviet vessels did not stop, US ships had orders to fire.
Why do you think Kennedy took this decision?
At the same time, Kennedy ordered his forces to be ready for war. The world had never been closer to nuclear conflict.
Kennedy stated that if the blockade is ‘forced’, the USA will be at war. The Soviet ships continued to sail towards Cuba.

13. The impact of the blockade
Click on the arrows to move through the timeline.

14. The impact of the crisis
Telephone hotline set up in 1963.
Test-ban treaty signed in 1963 – ban on testing nuclear weapons.
Cold War never became as serious again. Despite future tensions, there was a major change in attitude.
Both superpowers realized how close they had come to nuclear war.
Impact of the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962
Is this fair? Why should Khrushchev be praised?
Turkey missile deal remained secret
Khrushchev came out of the crisis badly – criticized both for trying to place missiles in Cuba, and also for giving into the USA.
Kennedy appeared to have stood up to communism – massive public opinion boost.

15. Consider the impact of the crisis
Consider the impact of the crisis. Arrange these statements in order of importance.