I. Introduction : the underlying factors that led to the crisis
The Cuban missile crisis, was the instance known to all, where the world was the closest to a nuclear warfare between 2 of the most powerful countries at the time. This crisis involved 2 superpowers, the United States, The Soviet Union and the Island of Cuba. Cuba is a small island that is located 160 km from the coast of Florida (USA), it was a US ally that had US businesses and a US military base in Guantanamo. A revolution that began in 1953 was led by Fidel Castro to overthrow the US backed dictator Batista. In 1959, the rebellion succeeds in overthrowing Batista out of power. Cuba then gets its first communist government. Consequently US businesses were taken over, and Castro was cutting all ties with Cuba’s ex ally. In 1961, the US replies but cutting off all diplomatic relations and installs a trade embargo on the Island. On that same year, during the month of April, there was the “Bay of Pigs” incident, where about 1400 anti-Cuban exiles attempted to overthrow Fidel Castro most certainly backed by US. Cuba to protect itself from the powerful neighbor would then request help from the USSR and secretly receive thousands of USSR missiles, jets, boats and personnel. …show more content…
This was perceived by the United States as an act not to be treated lightly and therefore sent the two countries into an intense negotiation process that lasted thirteen days. On October 14th 1962, US recon flight over Cuba spots sites that were believed to be used to install nuclear missiles. After confirmation of the information, on October 16th, President Kennedy was informed of the missiles and this marked the first day of the Cuban missile crisis that would last 13 days. The missiles installed were believed to be SS-4s and SS-5s that could reach Washington DC and Los Angeles
The Cuban missile crisis, was the instance known to all, where the world was the closest to a nuclear warfare between 2 of the most powerful countries at the time. This crisis involved 2 superpowers, the United States, The Soviet Union and the Island of Cuba. Cuba is a small island that is located 160 km from the coast of Florida (USA), it was a US ally that had US businesses and a US military base in Guantanamo. A revolution that began in 1953 was led by Fidel Castro to overthrow the US backed dictator Batista. In 1959, the rebellion succeeds in overthrowing Batista out of power. Cuba then gets its first communist government. Consequently US businesses were taken over, and Castro was cutting all ties with Cuba’s ex ally. In 1961, the US replies but cutting off all diplomatic relations and installs a trade embargo on the Island. On that same year, during the month of April, there was the “Bay of Pigs” incident, where about 1400 anti-Cuban exiles attempted to overthrow Fidel Castro most certainly backed by US. Cuba to protect itself from the powerful neighbor would then request help from the USSR and secretly receive thousands of USSR missiles, jets, boats and personnel. …show more content…
This was perceived by the United States as an act not to be treated lightly and therefore sent the two countries into an intense negotiation process that lasted thirteen days. On October 14th 1962, US recon flight over Cuba spots sites that were believed to be used to install nuclear missiles. After confirmation of the information, on October 16th, President Kennedy was informed of the missiles and this marked the first day of the Cuban missile crisis that would last 13 days. The missiles installed were believed to be SS-4s and SS-5s that could reach Washington DC and Los Angeles