People
Who was the U.S. president during the Cuban Missile Crisis?
John F. Kennedy.
What triggered the Cuban Missile Crisis?
U.S. discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba.
What significant discovery happened on October 14, 1962?
Discovery of Soviet missile installations in Cuba by a U-2 spy plane.
What U.S. action was called a “quarantine” to avoid declaring war?
Naval blockade of Cuba.
What major global disaster was avoided?
A nuclear war.
Who was the leader of the Soviet Union during the crisis?
Nikita Khrushchev
What was the Bay of Pigs invasion?
A failed U.S.-backed mission to overthrow Castro using Cuban exiles.
On what date did JFK announce the naval “quarantine” of Cuba?
October 22, 1962.
What does ICBM stand for?
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile.
What communication tool was created after the crisis?
The "Hotline" between Washington and Moscow.
Who led the Cuban government and allowed missiles to be installed?
Fidel Castro.
What did JFK do after discovering the missiles in Cuba?
He imposed a naval blockade (quarantine) and addressed the nation.
When did the Soviet ships turn back, avoiding direct conflict with the U.S. Navy?
October 24, 1962.
What concept meant both the U.S. and USSR would be destroyed in a nuclear war?
Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD).
How did Cuba feel after the crisis ended?
Betrayed and sidelined by the USSR.
Who was JFK’s brother and involved in back-channel talks?
Robert F. Kennedy.
Why did Cuba align with the Soviet Union after 1959?
The U.S. cut ties with Castro's communist government after the Cuban Revolution.
What key events happened on October 26–27, 1962?
Exchange of two letters from Khrushchev and the shooting down of a U-2 spy plane.
What was EXCOMM?
Kennedy’s special advisory group during the crisis.
How was the U.S. perceived after the crisis?
As strong but also willing to compromise.
Who was the Soviet ambassador involved in secret negotiations?
Anatoly Dobrynin.
What were Khrushchev’s two main goals in placing missiles in Cuba?
To protect Cuba and shift the nuclear balance in the USSR’s favor.
What was the turning point date of the crisis when Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles?
October 28, 1962.
What role did U-2 spy planes play in the crisis?
They captured photos confirming the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba.
How did the crisis affect Cold War tensions overall?
It deepened mistrust but also led to future arms control efforts.