The Cuban Missile Crisis occurred in August-October 1962 when the US discovered that the USSR had placed nuclear missiles in Cuba. This brought the two countries closest to WWIII. In response, JFK imposed a blockade around Cuba and demanded the missiles be removed. On October 24th, USSR ships stopped short of the blockade, and on October 28th Khruschev announced the missiles would be removed from Cuba in exchange for the US removing missiles from Turkey and promising not to invade Cuba again. The crisis highlighted the need for improved communication between the US and USSR and led to the establishment of a direct hotline.

1. Cuban Missile Crisis (August-
October 1962)
• This is the closest that we
have ever gotten to WWIII
• Khruschev said that the
only way to save Cuba
was with nuclear
weapons
• Castro feared another US
invasion
• Discussed by JFK in 1962

2. CMC

3. CMC cont
• August 22
• US confirms reports of
increased USSR activity in &
around Cuba
• October 14
• U-2 Flights confirm missiles
on launching pads all
pointing at US
• 48 medium range (1000
miles)
• 32 long range (2000 miles)

4. CMC cont
• What should JFK do?
• October 22
• JFK addressed the nation about USSR threat
• Announced a quarantine of Cuba
• Surrounded Cuba w/ 180 warships
• JFK demanded the immediate removal of the missiles

5. CMC cont

6. Judgment Day (October 24)
• USSR ships stop short of
blockade
• 12/25 changed course
• Rest had no missiles
• Rusk “We were eyeball to
eyeball and I think that the
other guy blinked”
• US ship dropped depth
charges on USSR sub?
• Orders to fire?

7. The End (October 28)
• Khruschev announces
that the weapons will
be returned to USSR
• JFK was best President
since FDR
• USSR
• US removes all missiles
from Turkey
• US promises never to
invade Cuba again
• USA
• UN inspections to make
sure all missiles are gone!

8. Results of the Cuban Missile Crisis
• 1. Limited Test Ban Treaty
• US, USSR, GB-limited tests of nukes in atmosphere, outer
space, or underwater
• 2. Hotline Established
• Direct, unbreakable connection between US/USSR
• 3. Relations worse w/ USSR
• No trade at all w/ Cuba, failed assassination attempt on
Castro in Paris-Nov. 22, 1963
• 4. USSR builds up so that they never back down
again
• Focuses economy on weapons and military development
• JFK popularity up to 74%

9. Kennedy Doctrine
• “Let every nation know,
whether it wishes us well or
ill, that we shall pay any
price, bear any burden,
meet any hardship, support
any friend, oppose any foe,
in order to assure the
survival and the success of
liberty.”
• It’s Us against them and we
need to do whatever
possible…

10. Speech at American University
• June 11, 1963
• JFK needed a way to try
and bring the Russians
to the peace table.
• Opened the idea to
relaxed tensions with
the Russians
• Détente