Involvement in the cuban missile crisis
Background:
- In the spring and summer of 1963, USSR decided to deploy missiles in the newly establish Marxist state of Cuba
- Khrushchev had three main reasons for this decision
The Space Race
The Soviet Union was now behind in the space race. USA could now launch I.C.B.M’s (inter-continental ballistic missiles) while the Soviet range was only limited to Europe. Khrushchev believed that by placing a missile bases in Cuba would equalize the strategic situation
Fear of an American Invasion
Cuba and the USSR feared an American invasion (ex. The Bay of Pigs)
Missiles in Turkey
Khrushchev believed that if he put a missile next door to the USA he would be able to convince USA to remove the missile next to them in Turkey
- In the spring and summer of 1963, USSR decided to deploy missiles in the newly establish Marxist state of Cuba
- Khrushchev had three main reasons for this decision
The Space Race
The Soviet Union was now behind in the space race. USA could now launch I.C.B.M’s (inter-continental ballistic missiles) while the Soviet range was only limited to Europe. Khrushchev believed that by placing a missile bases in Cuba would equalize the strategic situation
Fear of an American Invasion
Cuba and the USSR feared an American invasion (ex. The Bay of Pigs)
Missiles in Turkey
Khrushchev believed that if he put a missile next door to the USA he would be able to convince USA to remove the missile next to them in Turkey
Development of the Crisis:
- In August, 1962 American U-2 spy planes photographed air missiles and Soviet-built war planes capable of carrying N-bombs
- Kennedy and his staff kept it a secret for a week and eventually came up with the response of a naval blockade or “quarantine” (blockade would have been consider an act of war) and the USA Navy set up a blockade around Cuba to prevent Soviet ships to sail by ( other options: negotiating a settlement with the USSR and a conventional attack or invasion)
- The tension continues as Soviet ships protected by Soviet submarines continue towards Cuba. The concern was that the crisis would lead to military action by the two superpower and in turn lead to a nuclear war.
- In August, 1962 American U-2 spy planes photographed air missiles and Soviet-built war planes capable of carrying N-bombs
- Kennedy and his staff kept it a secret for a week and eventually came up with the response of a naval blockade or “quarantine” (blockade would have been consider an act of war) and the USA Navy set up a blockade around Cuba to prevent Soviet ships to sail by ( other options: negotiating a settlement with the USSR and a conventional attack or invasion)
- The tension continues as Soviet ships protected by Soviet submarines continue towards Cuba. The concern was that the crisis would lead to military action by the two superpower and in turn lead to a nuclear war.
Resolutions:
a) Soviet Ships turn around
The Soviet ships turned back on Wednesday October 24th. Although it significant reduce the tension it did not end the crisis
b) Letters
- A letter proposing the removal of his missiles from Cuba was sent from Khrushchev to Kennedy on October 26th at 9pm on the condition that Kennedy would promise not to invade the island
- Another letter was sent on the morning of the 27th that was more demanding and said that no deal would take place unless Kennedy removed the American missiles in Turkey
- On the advice of his brother Robert, Kennedy responded favorably to the first letter and ignored the second and Khrushchev accepted
c) The United Nation
- Supervise the Soviet missile removal and inspection of the ships
a) Soviet Ships turn around
The Soviet ships turned back on Wednesday October 24th. Although it significant reduce the tension it did not end the crisis
b) Letters
- A letter proposing the removal of his missiles from Cuba was sent from Khrushchev to Kennedy on October 26th at 9pm on the condition that Kennedy would promise not to invade the island
- Another letter was sent on the morning of the 27th that was more demanding and said that no deal would take place unless Kennedy removed the American missiles in Turkey
- On the advice of his brother Robert, Kennedy responded favorably to the first letter and ignored the second and Khrushchev accepted
c) The United Nation
- Supervise the Soviet missile removal and inspection of the ships
Result of the Cuban Missile Crisis:
a) Kennedy and Khrushchev agreed to establish a direct telephone link (red phone) between the Kremlin and the White House. The first letter received by Kennedy at the height of the crisis took six hours from the time Khrushchev sent it to the time that Kennedy actually read it. Both sides agree that it would be a shame to start a war because of a lack of communication.
b) 9 months after the crisis Kennedy and Khrushchev agreed to an atmospheric test ban treaty
c) Cuba came out the crisis as a Soviet satellite state
d) As a result of his poor showing during the Cuban Missile Crisis Khrushchev was dismissed by October, 1964
a) Kennedy and Khrushchev agreed to establish a direct telephone link (red phone) between the Kremlin and the White House. The first letter received by Kennedy at the height of the crisis took six hours from the time Khrushchev sent it to the time that Kennedy actually read it. Both sides agree that it would be a shame to start a war because of a lack of communication.
b) 9 months after the crisis Kennedy and Khrushchev agreed to an atmospheric test ban treaty
c) Cuba came out the crisis as a Soviet satellite state
d) As a result of his poor showing during the Cuban Missile Crisis Khrushchev was dismissed by October, 1964