Cuban Missile Crisis

• 1a. On 14 October 1962, an American U-2 spy plane took pictures of launch pads for medium-range ballistic missiles on Cuba.
• 2a. These could carry nuclear warheads that could destroy US cities.
• 3a. US intelligence discovered a fleet of Soviet ships sailing to Cuba, presumably with the missiles themselves on board.
• 4a. It was believed the missiles could become operational in two weeks.
• 5a. Kennedy could not allow missiles to be placed on Cuba, but a military response risked all-out war.
• 6a. On 16 October, called an Executive Committee (ExComm) to discuss solutions. ‘Hawks’ argued for a military response while ‘doves’ wanted a peaceful solution.
• 7a. On 22 October, Kennedy put a naval blockade around Cuba.
• 9a. On 26 October, Khrushchev sent Kennedy a telegram offering to remove missiles from Cuba if America agreed not to invade.
• 8a. On 24 October, the Soviet ships reached the blockade and turned around.
• 10a. On 27 October, Khrushchev sent another telegram saying he would remove the missiles only if US missiles in Turkey were removed.
• 11a. Also on 27 October, an American U2 spy plane was shot down.
• 12a. Kennedy ignored the second telegram and agreed to the first telegram. However, his brother, Robert Kennedy, did secretly agree to remove the Turkish missiles.
• 1b. It showed the dangers of brinkmanship and led both sides to seek more peaceful solutions.
• 2b. In June 1963, a ‘hotline’ was set up to allow direct communication between the leaders of the USA and USSR.
• 3b. In August 1963, a Test Ban Treaty was signed by the USA, USSR and Britain, which banned nuclear testing in outer space, underwater or in the atmosphere.
• 5b. In 1968, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty banned nuclear powers sharing their technology with other countries.
• 6b. This desire for more peaceful solutions eventually contributed to the détente of the 1970s.
• 4b. In 1967, the Outer Space Treaty banned putting nuclear weapons into orbit.
• What date did the U-2 spy plane take pictures of Cuba?

  14 October 1962
• What type of missiles were photographed on Cuba?

  Medium-range ballistic missiles
• What could the missiles on Cuba carry?

  Nuclear warheads that could destroy US cities
• What did US intelligence discover sailing to Cuba?

  A fleet of Soviet ships
• What was believed about the missiles' operational status?

  They could become operational in two weeks
• What dilemma did Kennedy face regarding the missiles in Cuba?

  A military response risked all-out war
• What did Kennedy do on 16 October?

  Called an Executive Committee (ExComm)
• What were the two opposing views in the ExComm meeting?

  'Hawks' wanted military response, 'doves' wanted peace
• What action did Kennedy take on 22 October?

  Put a naval blockade around Cuba
• What happened on 24 October regarding the Soviet ships?

  They reached the blockade and turned around
• What did Khrushchev offer in his telegram on 26 October?

  To remove missiles if US did not invade
• What condition did Khrushchev add in his second telegram on 27 October?

  US missiles in Turkey must be removed
• What significant event occurred on 27 October involving a U2 spy plane?

  It was shot down
• How did Khrushchev respond to the telegrams on 27 October?

  Ignored the second, agreed to the first
• What secret agreement did Robert Kennedy make?

  To remove the Turkish missiles
• What were the consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

  • Showed dangers of brinkmanship
  • Led to peaceful solutions
  • Established a 'hotline' in June 1963
  • Signed Test Ban Treaty in August 1963
  • Banned nuclear weapons in orbit in 1967
  • Banned sharing nuclear technology in 1968
  • Contributed to détente in the 1970s
• What was established in June 1963 for communication?

  A 'hotline' between USA and USSR
• What did the Test Ban Treaty of August 1963 prohibit?

  Nuclear testing in outer space, underwater, or atmosphere
• What did the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 ban?

  Putting nuclear weapons into orbit
• What did the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968 prohibit?

  Nuclear powers sharing technology with others
• How did the desire for peaceful solutions affect international relations?

  Contributed to the détente of the 1970s