This document provides background information on the Cuban Missile Crisis and Khrushchev's policy of de-Stalinization. It discusses how Castro came to power in Cuba and requested help from Khrushchev. Khrushchev agreed to place nuclear missiles in Cuba, angering the US and leading to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Khrushchev eventually backed down, seen as weak. The document also notes that de-Stalinization caused tensions with China, and Khrushchev's foreign policy was contradictory in advocating "peaceful coexistence" but placing missiles near the US. Khrushchev was eventually ousted, partly due to backing down in Cuba.