The Cuban Missile Crisis Cambridge IGCSE History revision
Not started
Learn it
In plain words
For thirteen days in October 1962, the world stood closer to nuclear war than it has ever been. Schoolchildren practised hiding under their desks. Two men, neither of whom wanted a war, had to find a way to step back without seeming to lose.
9 things to know
- In 1962 the Soviet leader, Khrushchev, secretly began to place nuclear missiles in Cuba.
- His reasons: to protect Cuba from another American invasion. To match the American missiles that were based in Turkey, close to the USSR. And to gain an advantage that he could use in bargaining.
- On 14 October an American U-2 spy plane photographed missile sites being built. From Cuba, missiles could reach most cities in the USA within minutes.
- Kennedy's advisers considered an air strike or an invasion. Either could have started a war. Kennedy chose a naval blockade of Cuba, to stop more missiles arriving. He announced it on television on 22 October.
- Soviet ships carrying missiles sailed towards the blockade. On 24 October they stopped and turned back.
- On 26 October Khrushchev sent a letter offering to remove the missiles if the USA promised not to invade Cuba. The next day a second letter added a new demand: that the USA remove its missiles from Turkey.
- Kennedy replied to the first letter, accepting its terms, and ignored the second. In secret, he agreed to remove the missiles from Turkey later.
- On 28 October Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles from Cuba. The crisis was over.
- Aftermath. A direct telephone line, the hotline, was set up between Washington and Moscow. In 1963 a treaty banned nuclear tests in the atmosphere. Cuba stayed communist, but without missiles.
Worked example
"Kennedy won the Cuban Missile Crisis." How far do you agree? Plan a 10-mark answer.
- Kennedy won: the missiles were removed, he had stood firm in public, and his reputation rose. Khrushchev was seen to have backed down, and was removed from power in 1964.
- Khrushchev gained: the USA promised not to invade Cuba, which stayed communist. The American missiles in Turkey were removed, though in secret.
- Judgement: in public it was Kennedy's victory. In fact it was a compromise from which both sides gained, and the real winner was peace.
Tips and tricks
- The deal over the missiles in Turkey was secret. At the time it looked like a complete win for Kennedy. Say so when you judge who won.
- The crisis in order: 14 October photographs, 22 October blockade announced, 24 October ships turn back, 26 and 27 October the two letters, 28 October agreement.
It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.
The Cuban Missile Crisis: 5 questions and answers
These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.
How did the USA discover the missiles in Cuba?
The photographs were taken on 14 October 1962.
What action did Kennedy choose?
It stopped more missiles arriving, without firing a shot.
Where did the USA have missiles that Khrushchev wanted removed?
They were removed later, in secret.
What was the hotline?
It was set up to prevent another crisis.
Why did Kennedy answer Khrushchev's first letter and ignore the second?Stretch
It let both sides step back without Kennedy seeming to give way over Turkey.
Quiz
5 questions
Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.
Worksheet
3 questions, 16 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.
The Cuban Missile Crisis
Cambridge IGCSE History 0470 · 16 marks · papermunch.org
Name ______________________________ Date ______________
Describe how Kennedy reacted to the discovery of missiles in Cuba.[4]
Show answerHide answer
He set up a committee of advisers to consider the options. He rejected an immediate air strike or invasion. He ordered a naval blockade of Cuba to stop more missiles arriving. He announced this on television, and demanded that the missiles be removed.
Why did Khrushchev place missiles in Cuba?[6]
Show answerHide answer
He wanted to defend Cuba, a new communist ally, against another American invasion after the Bay of Pigs. The USA had missiles in Turkey close to the USSR, and he wanted to balance that threat. Missiles in Cuba would also strengthen his hand in bargaining with the USA, and he thought that Kennedy was too weak to resist.
Why did the crisis lead to better relations between the superpowers?[6]
Show answerHide answer
Both leaders had seen how close they had come to nuclear war, and wanted to avoid a repeat. A hotline was set up so that they could talk directly in a crisis. In 1963 they signed a treaty banning nuclear tests in the atmosphere. Both sides became more careful about confronting each other directly.
Answers: The Cuban Missile Crisis
- 1. He set up a committee of advisers to consider the options. He rejected an immediate air strike or invasion. He ordered a naval blockade of Cuba to stop more missiles arriving. He announced this on television, and demanded that the missiles be removed.
- 2. He wanted to defend Cuba, a new communist ally, against another American invasion after the Bay of Pigs. The USA had missiles in Turkey close to the USSR, and he wanted to balance that threat. Missiles in Cuba would also strengthen his hand in bargaining with the USA, and he thought that Kennedy was too weak to resist.
- 3. Both leaders had seen how close they had come to nuclear war, and wanted to avoid a repeat. A hotline was set up so that they could talk directly in a crisis. In 1963 they signed a treaty banning nuclear tests in the atmosphere. Both sides became more careful about confronting each other directly.