The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962

H2 History - syllabus 9174, 2027

How the Cuban Revolution changed Cuba's relations with the superpowers, why Khrushchev sent missiles, the thirteen days, Castro's role, and the crisis's impact on the Cold War.

• The Cuban Revolution and the turn to Moscow

  Castro's revolution, his seizure of US property and American hostility pushed Cuba into the Soviet camp by 1961.

• The Bay of Pigs and the threat of invasion

  The failed Bay of Pigs invasion and continued US covert attacks made Castro and Khrushchev expect a new invasion.

• Why Khrushchev sent missiles to Cuba

  Khrushchev wanted to defend Cuba, narrow the missile gap, match US missiles in Turkey and gain leverage, especially over Berlin.

• The thirteen days, 16-28 October 1962

  Kennedy chose a naval quarantine over an air strike, and a public no-invasion pledge plus a secret deal on Turkey ended the crisis.

• Cuba's role: an ally with its own aims

  Castro welcomed the missiles, pushed for a hard line, and was angry when the superpowers settled without him.

• The impact of the crisis on the Cold War

  The crisis made both sides more careful about direct confrontation, but it also drove a Soviet arms build-up and strained alliances.

• Put it together: Why did the crisis end peacefully?

  Choose a factor and weigh it against the others.