1. Why did Khrushchev put missiles into Cuba?

2. Learning objective – to understand the reasons why Khrushchev put missiles into Cuba.
I can describe the different reasons why Khrushchev put missiles into Cuba.
Grade D
I can explain and make links between the different reasons behind Khrushchev’s decision and their possible implications.
Grade B
I can explain the links between and the importance of the causes behind Khrushchev’s decision and their implications.
Grade A and A*

3. Starter – what do you think Castro and Khrushchev are thinking in this photo?

4. What was Khrushchev’s reaction to the Bay of Pigs invasion?
Khrushchev decided to increase his commitment in Cuba as he saw this as the first step of spreading Communism into South America.
Khrushchev increased the number of military advisors and combat units in Cuba throughout 1961 and the first half of 1962.
In July 1962, Khrushchev decided to supply Cuba with nuclear missiles and build nuclear bases. This would place nuclear missiles in range of nearly every major USA city without time for the USA to react if they were attacked.

5. Why did Khrushchev decide to place nuclear missiles in Cuba?
US nuclear missiles in Turkey and Italy
Khrushchev was worried that the USA had placed a significant number of missiles in bases throughout Western Europe. This fear increased when missiles were placed in Turkey – right on the Soviet border in 1961.
This was the first time that the USSR had placed nuclear missiles outside its own borders. Khrushchev did this to close what he saw the missile balance and to strengthen his bargaining position with the USA.

6. Why did Khrushchev decide to place nuclear missiles in Cuba?
Khrushchev’s opinion of Kennedy
Khrushchev underestimated Kennedy, seeing him as a young, inexperienced leader who was weak. The Bay of Pigs invasion confirmed his view which was reinforced with Kennedy’s inaction over USSR building the Berlin Wall in August 1961.
Also, Khrushchev was keen to strengthen his own position in USSR. Missiles in Cuba would be seen as a propaganda victory over USA and it would be unlikely that Kennedy would react to this.

7. Why did Khrushchev decide to place nuclear missiles in Cuba?
Khrushchev’s alliance with Cuba
Khrushchev wanted to strengthen his alliance with Castro and Cuba. Castro was the only Communist leader in the western hemisphere and had survived the Bay of Pigs invasion. Castro’s popularity was at its peak and Khrushchev wanted to capitalise on this.

8. How did Khrushchev begin to place missiles in Cuba?
July-September 1962
Khrushchev decided to increase USSR military presence in Cuba. From July, a large number of Soviet ships began to arrive in Cuba carrying 40,000 military advisors and nuclear weapons.
Soon after, nuclear missile bases were being built across Cuba. In September, President Kennedy warned Khrushchev that the USA would not tolerate nuclear missiles being based in Cuba. Khrushchev lied and said no USSR missiles were being placed in Cuba.

9. What happened on 14th October 1962?
A US U2 spy plane flew over Cuba and took pictures of what looked like missile sites being built – some were near completion.
On the same day, news reached USA that more USSR ships were on their way to Cuba presumably carrying missiles. It was time for Kennedy to act. But how could he stop it without causing a nuclear war?

10. Task
Complete the task sheet with graph and follow-up questions. Use this PowerPoint and the text book to help you.

11. Plenary – Tweet my lesson
Choose from the following tasks to tweet your lesson. Remember a tweet contains 140 characters which includes spaces and punctuation.
Summarise what you have learnt this lesson in a tweet.
Imagine you are Kennedy on 14th October 1962, write a tweet from Kennedy to Khrushchev.
Imagine you are Khrushchev in September 1962, tweet to Kennedy you position on Cuba. Are there any USSR nuclear missiles in Cuba?