The Short-term Significance of the Cuban Missile Crisis between the US and the USSR

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The event of the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 was the closest the world has ever come to nuclear war. Fifteen years into the cold war, the two superpowers continued the fierce competition to increase their military strength. In 1962, the Soviet Union was desperately behind the United States in the nuclear arms race. Soviet missiles were only powerful enough to be launched against Europe, whereas the US missiles were capable of striking the entire Soviet Union. In late April 1962, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev conceived the idea of placing intermediate-range missiles in Cuba which would double the Soviet strategic arsenal and provide a real deterrent to a potential U.S. attack against the Soviet Union. The fate of millions literally hinged upon the ability of two men, President John F. Kennedy and Premier Nikita Khrushchev, to reach a compromise. The sources I have researched strongly agree that it was President Kennedy who was very determined to prevent the world from another war. They also show that the crisis was not just a conflict about missiles; it was a conflict of contradictory philosophies, ideologies and power.

John F. Kennedy, the newly chosen American president, and the Soviet premier met in Vienna to discuss the east-west confrontation, in particular, the situation in Berlin over the Berlin Wall. They resolved nothing, and Khrushchev left the June 1961 summit thinking Kennedy was a weak president. This could have been the point where Khrushchev thought he could overcome Kennedy and, therefore, make his pathway towards gaining the world power. His first major task was, therefore, to bond with Fidel Castro.

Cuban President Fidel Castro was looking for a way to defend his nation from an attack by the U.S. Eve...

... middle of paper ...

... like the ones based in Cuba. Find in: Primary Sources

4. Tompson 1995, p. 248.

5. “Political Cartoon.” 1962. Google Images. This is a cartoon showing the struggle between Kennedy and Khrushchev. Find in: Primary sources

6. The Washington Post article “Soviets Knew Date of Cuba Attack”. Find in: Primary Sources

7. Letter: Khrushchev to Kennedy, 26 October 1962. Find in: Primary Sources

8. Letter: Khrushchev to Kennedy, 28 October 1962. Find in: Primary Sources

9. Letter: Kennedy to Khrushchev, 27 October 1962. Find in: Primary Sources

1. Tompson, William J. (1995), Khrushchev: A Political Life, St. Martin's Press, ISBN 0-312-12365-5

2. Kellner, Douglas (1989). Ernesto "Che" Guevara (World Leaders Past & Present). Chelsea House Publishers. pp. 112. ISBN 1555468357.

3. http://history.utah.gov/historical_society/history_fair/documents/2008CubanMissilepaper.pdf

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