The Cuban Missile Crisis <1962> (9) Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in The Cuban Missile Crisis <1962> (9) Deck (9)
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1
Q

Why did Castro allow the USSR to build missile bases in Cuba?

A

To prevent another US-backed invasion of Cuba, and to co-operate with his new ally (USSR).

2
Q

Why did the USSR think a missile base in Cuba was appropriate?

A

The USSR thought this was appropriate given that NATO had missile bases in Turkey.

3
Q

What happened in October 1962?

A

An American spy plane photographed these missile bases on the island. The missiles themselves were being transported by ship from the USSR. This created great alarm in Washington because once they were in place, every major US city would be in range of the missiles.

4
Q

What did the presidents advisors want the president to do in response to the missiles and what did the president JFK end up doing?

A

Some of the president’s advisors thought that the USA should attack Cuba by bombing the missiles or by sending an army to invade it, but the US president JFK, wanted to avoid a direct confrontation. Instead he ordered a naval blockade to be set up to prevent the Russian ships from reaching Cuba.

5
Q

Why were the days before the Soviet reached the blockade considered tense?

A

Us forces were placed on full alert and the word waited to see whether there would be a clash at sea which would lead to a nuclear war.

6
Q

What happened when the Soviet ships reached the blockade?

A

The Soviet ships turned back. The Soviet leader, Nikita Khrushchev, was not willing to risk war and was prepared to negotiate.

7
Q

What agreement was reached?

A

The supers reached an agreement that the USSR would dismantle the missile bases, if the USA lifted its blockade and guaranteed not to invade Cuba. The USA also agreed, secretly, that it would remove its pwn missile bases from Turkey.

8
Q

How was the Cuban missile crisis an example of brinkmanship?

A

It showed that neither superpower was ready to risk nuclear war.

9
Q

What was set up when the superpowers realised just how close they got to war?

A

However, when they realised just how close to war they had come, the two leaders agreed to set up a ‘hot-line’, a direct telephone link between the Kremlin and the White House. This line was to be used whenever a similar crisis threatened. They also signed a nuclear test ban treaty, agreeing not to test nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, underwater or in space.