Main Causes
What global ideological conflict contributed significantly to the Cuban Missile Crisis?
The Cold War between the capitalist United States and the communist Soviet Union.
What significant discovery did U.S. spy planes make on October 14, 1962?
They discovered Soviet nuclear missile sites under construction in Cuba.
What impact did Kennedy’s address and blockade announcement have on the crisis?
It publicly escalated the crisis but showed U.S. resolve and forced the Soviets to reconsider.
Who led the Cuban Revolution in 1959 and aligned Cuba with the Soviet Union?
What immediate action did the Soviet Union take as part of the agreement to end the crisis?
They removed their nuclear missiles from Cuba.
Why did the United States support the Batista regime in Cuba before 1959?
Because it was anti-communist and aligned with U.S. interests during the Cold War.
How did the Soviet ships respond to the U.S. naval blockade on October 24–25?
They approached but ultimately did not break the blockade.
How did Khrushchev’s agreement on October 28 change the outcome of the crisis?
He agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for U.S. concessions, ending the immediate threat.
What role did Nikita Khrushchev play in the crisis?
He was the Soviet Premier who placed missiles in Cuba and later agreed to remove them.
What promise did the U.S. make to Cuba in return for Soviet compliance?
What was the Bay of Pigs Invasion, and how did it affect U.S.-Cuban-Soviet relations?
A failed U.S.-backed attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro, which pushed Cuba closer to the Soviet Union.
What was the purpose of the ExComm formed by President Kennedy?
To advise Kennedy and plan the U.S. response to the missile threat.
Why was the discovery of Soviet missile sites in Cuba considered a turning point?
It revealed the direct threat of nuclear war just 90 miles from the U.S.
What is a U-2 spy plane, and what role did it play in the Cuban Missile Crisis?
A high-altitude U.S. reconnaissance aircraft that discovered the missile sites in Cuba.
What communication tool was established between the U.S. and USSR after the crisis?
The Moscow-Washington Hotline.
How did Cold War tensions shape the alliances between Cuba, the USSR, and the U.S.?
They led Cuba to ally with the USSR for protection, while the U.S. saw Cuba as a direct threat due to its proximity.
What action did President Kennedy announce on October 22, 1962?
A naval “quarantine” (blockade) of Cuba to stop further missile shipments.
What event marked the peak of the standoff during the crisis?
The shooting down of a U.S. U-2 spy plane over Cuba.
How was Fidel Castro involved in the events leading up to and during the crisis?
He allowed the USSR to place missiles in Cuba as a deterrent against U.S. invasion.
How did the crisis influence future arms control and Cold War diplomacy?
It led to efforts such as the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and a more cautious approach to superpower conflict.
Why did the Soviet Union feel threatened by U.S. actions in Turkey?
The U.S. had placed nuclear missiles in Turkey, within striking range of the Soviet Union.
What were the outcomes of the tense negotiations on October 26–27?
A U.S. U-2 plane was shot down, and back-channel diplomacy intensified, leading to a peaceful resolution.
What role did communication and decision-making play in de-escalating the crisis?
Back-channel diplomacy and careful negotiation helped avoid war and find a peaceful solution.
What was the purpose of the ExComm during the crisis?
To provide expert advice to President Kennedy on how to handle the missile crisis.
What secret deal was made regarding U.S. missiles in Turkey?
The U.S. secretly agreed to remove its missiles from Turkey within a few months.