Why was there a crisis over Cuba in the 1960s and how did it a ect the
US–Soviet relations?
Assess the extent to which Khrushchev was responsible for the causing of the
Cuban Crisis [43/MJ21]
Introduction: Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 was a dangerous and complex situation
involving the Soviet Union, US, and Cuba that nearly led to nuclear war. Both the Soviet
Union and US played vital roles in the escalation.
Point I: Khrushchev's Decision to Place Missiles in Cuba and History
Paragraph I:
• In 1962, US intelligence discovered that the Soviet Union was deploying nuclear
missiles to cuba. He deployed them secretly without consultation of either the US or
Cuban government.
• This covert action gave Khrushchev a strategic advantage over the US but obviously
caused panic when they were discovered and created an intense atmosphere of
mistrust between the parties.
• In response, Kennedy imposed a naval quarantine of the island, in reality it was a
blockade, an act of aggression which Khrushchev made clear in a letter he sent to
Kennedy.
• This created an intense stando and escalated the crisis. This shows how Khrushchev
had a pivotal role to play in causing the crisis.
Paragraph II:
• Khrushchev provided support for Castro and his regime including economic and
military assistance such as purchasing Cuban sugar, a key export for Cuba.
ff ff
, • This alliance naturally caused concern in the states of a potential communist state so
close to home. This led to e orts to oppose this movement such as the bay of pigs and
the missile crisis.
Point II: Khrushchev's Handling of Negotiations
Paragraph III:
• Khrushchev was inconsistent with his handling of negotiations that led to uncertainty of
the US. For example, in one telegram he warned of the potential consequences of
military con ict and in another, he expressed a willingness to cooperate.
Paragraph IV:
• However, Khrushchev and Kennedy did engage in secret communications through
backchannels which played a critical role in de-escalating the crisis. It should also be
noted that Khrushchev was under intense pressure domestically by hardline o cials
who did advocate for a more aggressive stance. He did oat the ‘missiles for the turkey
missiles’ deal which demonstrated his desire to maintain face during the con ict.
Point III: Kennedy’s role eg Jupiter Missiles and Bay of Pigs
Paragraph V:
• Like anything in history, it is never one sided. Khrushchev’s decision to deploy missiles
to Cuba was, in part, a response to the US deployment of the Jupiter missiles to Turkey
and Italy, very close to Soviet borders.
• Therefore, the missiles in Cuba were a part of a greater attempt to maintain
geostrategic balance of nuclear power as well as contribute to the mutual policies of
nuclear deterrence.
• However, the Jupiter missiles were in response to the deployment of ICBMs in Poland
and East Germany.
Paragraph VI:
• Furthermore, the US had a key part to play in pushing Castro into Soviet arms such as
trade embargoes and refusal to re ne oil imported from the SU resulting in the
nationalisation of the oil industries.
fl ff fi fl flffi
US–Soviet relations?
Assess the extent to which Khrushchev was responsible for the causing of the
Cuban Crisis [43/MJ21]
Introduction: Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 was a dangerous and complex situation
involving the Soviet Union, US, and Cuba that nearly led to nuclear war. Both the Soviet
Union and US played vital roles in the escalation.
Point I: Khrushchev's Decision to Place Missiles in Cuba and History
Paragraph I:
• In 1962, US intelligence discovered that the Soviet Union was deploying nuclear
missiles to cuba. He deployed them secretly without consultation of either the US or
Cuban government.
• This covert action gave Khrushchev a strategic advantage over the US but obviously
caused panic when they were discovered and created an intense atmosphere of
mistrust between the parties.
• In response, Kennedy imposed a naval quarantine of the island, in reality it was a
blockade, an act of aggression which Khrushchev made clear in a letter he sent to
Kennedy.
• This created an intense stando and escalated the crisis. This shows how Khrushchev
had a pivotal role to play in causing the crisis.
Paragraph II:
• Khrushchev provided support for Castro and his regime including economic and
military assistance such as purchasing Cuban sugar, a key export for Cuba.
ff ff
, • This alliance naturally caused concern in the states of a potential communist state so
close to home. This led to e orts to oppose this movement such as the bay of pigs and
the missile crisis.
Point II: Khrushchev's Handling of Negotiations
Paragraph III:
• Khrushchev was inconsistent with his handling of negotiations that led to uncertainty of
the US. For example, in one telegram he warned of the potential consequences of
military con ict and in another, he expressed a willingness to cooperate.
Paragraph IV:
• However, Khrushchev and Kennedy did engage in secret communications through
backchannels which played a critical role in de-escalating the crisis. It should also be
noted that Khrushchev was under intense pressure domestically by hardline o cials
who did advocate for a more aggressive stance. He did oat the ‘missiles for the turkey
missiles’ deal which demonstrated his desire to maintain face during the con ict.
Point III: Kennedy’s role eg Jupiter Missiles and Bay of Pigs
Paragraph V:
• Like anything in history, it is never one sided. Khrushchev’s decision to deploy missiles
to Cuba was, in part, a response to the US deployment of the Jupiter missiles to Turkey
and Italy, very close to Soviet borders.
• Therefore, the missiles in Cuba were a part of a greater attempt to maintain
geostrategic balance of nuclear power as well as contribute to the mutual policies of
nuclear deterrence.
• However, the Jupiter missiles were in response to the deployment of ICBMs in Poland
and East Germany.
Paragraph VI:
• Furthermore, the US had a key part to play in pushing Castro into Soviet arms such as
trade embargoes and refusal to re ne oil imported from the SU resulting in the
nationalisation of the oil industries.
fl ff fi fl flffi
