The crisis made both sides more careful about direct confrontation, but it also drove a Soviet arms build-up and strained alliances.
Both leaders had looked into the abyss of nuclear war. In 1963 they set up a hotline between Washington and Moscow. They also signed the Partial Test Ban Treaty, which banned nuclear tests in the atmosphere, in space and under water.
These steps began a period of more careful management of the rivalry, which later developed into detente. The superpowers avoided direct military confrontation for the rest of the Cold War.
But the USSR resolved never again to be so outgunned. It launched a major build-up of nuclear forces, reaching rough parity with the USA by the early 1970s. Khrushchev's colleagues removed him in October 1964, partly because of the humiliation over Cuba.
Alliances were strained. China condemned Khrushchev for adventurism in sending the missiles and then capitulation in removing them, deepening the Sino-Soviet split. Some NATO allies resented that the USA had made decisions with little consultation, and the Jupiters were quietly removed in 1963.
- Hotline
- Set up in 1963 between Washington and Moscow.
- Partial Test Ban Treaty
- 1963: no tests in the atmosphere, space or under water.
- Khrushchev removed
- October 1964.
Worked example: Judging the impact
Did the crisis make the Cold War safer?
- Yes: the hotline and test ban reduced the risk of miscalculation.
- Yes: both sides avoided direct confrontation afterwards.
- No: the Soviet build-up intensified the arms race.
- Judgement: safer in crisis management, but the rivalry continued in other forms.
Watch out for this
The Cuban Missile Crisis ended the arms race.
It led to some arms control, but the USSR then expanded its nuclear forces to reach parity, so the arms race continued.
Check your understanding
How did China react to the outcome of the crisis?
- It condemned Khrushchev for adventurism and then capitulation.
- It praised Khrushchev's caution.
- It sent its own missiles to Cuba.