🚀 Cuban Missile Crisis: Timeline, Reasons and Summary

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In simple terms, the Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day standoff between the USSR and the USA caused by the Soviet Union secretly placing nuclear missiles on the coast of Cuba, just 90 miles away from Florida, making it vulnerable to a nuclear attack.

The Cuban Missile Crisis is something that must be covered for UPSC preparation and upcoming government exams. Questions may revolve around the what is Cuban Missile Crisis to what caused the crisis. 

Why is it important for UPSC 2024?

October 2023 marks the 61st anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Explore the history in the article below. 

What is the Cuban Missile Crisis?

The USSR started placing nuclear missiles in several locations on Cuba’s coast in August 1962: San Cristóbal, Pinar del Río Province; Remedios, Villa Clara Province; Sagua la Grande, Villa Clara Province; Guanajay, Artemisa Province; and Santa Cruz del Norte, Mayabeque Province. This marked the beginning of the Cuban Missile Crisis on October 16, 1962, when the USA discovered the nuclear missiles. The crisis ended on October 28, 1962, with the USSR and USA reaching agreements on the removal of nuclear missiles and establishing mediums of direct communication.

Quick Facts About the Cuban Missile Crisis

• The USSR placed nukes in Cuba for many reasons, but one of the most obvious was to counteract the USA’s growing power.
• US President John F. Kennedy ordered a naval blockade to stop the USSR from bringing any more nuclear weapons to Cuba.
• The Cuban Missile Crisis almost pushed the two superpowers to engage in a nuclear war.

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Cuban Missile Crisis Timeline

Here is a timeline of the Cuban Missile Crisis:

1. August 1962: The Soviet Union started secretly placing nuclear missiles in Cuba.
2. October 14, 1962: A US U-2 spy plane takes photos of the Soviet missile sites in Cuba.
3. October 16, 1962: President John F. Kennedy became aware of the Soviet missile sites in Cuba. Further it ordered a naval blockade of Cuba to prevent the Soviet Union from bringing in any more nuclear weapons or supplies. USSR also gets asked to remove its missiles from Cuba by USA.
4. October 17, 1962: Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev refuses Kennedy’s demands.
5. October 20, 1962: The Soviet Union agreed to remove the missiles from Cuba in exchange for a US pledge not to invade Cuba and to remove its own nuclear missiles from Turkey. 
6. October 28, 1962: The Soviet Union completes the removal of its missiles from Cuba.

What Caused the Cuban Missile Crisis?

The following are typically the primary causes that led to the Cuban Missile Crisis:

1. Soviet Aggression and Expansion: The USSR’s desire to expand its influence and assert itself in the Cold War rivalry with the United States led to the decision to place nuclear missiles in Cuba, which was in close proximity to the U.S.
2. U.S. Threat to Soviet Security: The United States had previously deployed nuclear missiles in Turkey, which was seen as a direct threat to the Soviet Union. The Soviets sought to establish a strategic balance by placing missiles in Cuba.
3. Cuban Revolution: Fidel Castro’s rise to power in 1959 and the establishment of a communist regime in Cuba deepened the ideological and political divide between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
4. Bay of Pigs Invasion: The failed U.S.-backed invasion of Cuba in 1961 escalated tensions, as the U.S. aimed to overthrow Castro and the Cuban government.

How Did the Cuban Missile Crisis End?

The following led to the end of the Cuban Missile Crisis-

1. Soviet Missiles Withdrawal: The Soviets agreed to remove their nuclear missiles from Cuba, which had triggered the crisis.
2. U.S. Pledges to Non-Invasion: The U.S. pledged not to invade Cuba in exchange for the missile withdrawal.
3. Improving Diplomatic Relations and Communication: Secret negotiations and direct communication between President Kennedy and Premier Khrushchev were instrumental in resolving the crisis.
4. Restraining from Aggressive Confrontations: Both superpowers exercised restraint, avoiding military confrontation despite the tense situation.
5. Kennedy Officially Makes a Public Statement: On October 28, 1962, President Kennedy publicly announced the end of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the diplomatic agreements that led to the same.

Cuban Missile Crisis Summary

The Cuban Missile Crisis occurred in 1962 during the Cold War. The crisis began when the U.S. discovered Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba. Tensions escalated, and the world faced the threat of a nuclear conflict. Diplomacy played a crucial role in resolving the crisis. The Soviets agreed to remove their missiles from Cuba. The U.S. pledged not to invade Cuba in return. President Kennedy announced the resolution on October 28, 1962. The crisis highlighted the importance of communication and diplomacy in managing global conflicts. The Cuban Missile Crisis serves as a historical reminder of the need to prevent such perilous standoffs in the future.

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