Cuban Missile Crisis

• WARNING!
• Remember these answers are
not full answers but are just
suggestions of points that you
could include!
What is the message of this cartoon?

A cartoon published
in a British
newspaper on 24
October 1962.
Kennedy and
Khrushchev are
shown as
gunslingers. Castro is
on the donkey.
M- The main message is that the good, clean cut guy
Kennedy is standing up to the threat of the scoundrels
who are riding into town.
C- Kennedy is shown standing (up to the threat) whilst
Castro is shown as a lesser threat by being shown on a
donkey and dropping his gun. Khrushchev is larger and
therefore more of a threat and is shown behind
(backing / supporting) Castro.
C-The cartoon is in the context of Khrushchev supporting
Castro and having put weapons on Cuba. The US was
frightened as Cuba was very close to America and they
felt threatened. Kennedy had to make decisions to avoid
nuclear war and he did this by stopping the USSR.’
 8 mark
• Explain why Kennedy could claim victory in the
Cuban Missile Crisis.
 4 mark
• Describe the USA’s reaction to the Cuban
Revolution.
• Describe the USA’s response to Castro’s
seizure of power in Cuba.
• Describe how Cuba changed under Castro.
 6 mark
• Explain why the failure of the Bay of Pigs
invasion caused problems for the USA.
• Explain why the Soviet Union became involved
in Cuba.
• Explain why Khrushchev placed missiles in
Cuba.
• Explain Kennedy’s options after missile sites
were discovered in Cuba.
 10 mark
• The outcomes of the Cuban Missile Crisis were equally
successful for:
(i) the USA;
(ii) the USSR;
(iii) Cuba.
How far do you agree with this statement?
• The USA was more responsible for causing the Cuban Missile
Crisis than the USSR.’ How far do you agree with this
statement?
• Kennedy handled the Cuban Missile Crisis better than
Khrushchev did.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
• The Cuban Missile Crisis was a victory for the Soviet Union.’
How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain why Kennedy could claim victory in
the Cuban Missile Crisis. (8)
 Explain why Kennedy could claim victory in
the Cuban Missile Crisis. (8)
• ‘There was no war.’
• ‘Kennedy’s reputation increased.’
• ‘He had stood up to Khrushchev.’
• ‘He helped start the thaw of Cold War
relations
• Pick 3 and EXPLAIN using PEE
Kennedy came out of the crisis with a greatly improved
reputation in his own country and throughout the
West having stood up to Khrushchev and made him
back down.’
‘Kennedy removed the view of him being a weak /
inexperienced President by standing up to Khrushchev
who had thought he was a push-over.’
‘Kennedy decided to follow a policy of containment by
introducing a blockade and persuading Khrushchev to
turn his ships around. The hardliners in his government
and some of his advisers wanted him to turn back
Communism. This was a dangerous, high risk strategy
which could have resulted in nuclear war.’
Describe the USA’s reaction to the Cuban
Revolution. (4)
 Describe the USA’s reaction to the Cuban
Revolution. (4)
• The USA was concerned over the establishment of friendly
relations with the Soviet Union.’
• ‘In July 1960 the US stopped buying Cuban sugar.’
• ‘Later in 1960 the US banned all trade with Cuba.’
• ‘In January 1961 the US broke off all diplomatic relations
with Cuba.’
• ‘The US was trying to starve Castro into submission.’
• ‘The CIA planned to overthrow Castro.’
• ‘In April 1961, the Bay of Pigs invasion took place.’
• ‘Stopped economic aid.’
Describe the USA’s response to Castro’s
seizure of power in Cuba. (4)
 Describe the USA’s response to Castro’s
seizure of power in Cuba. (4)
• ‘The relationship became frosty but without
direct confrontation.’
• ‘In January 1961 the USA broke of diplomatic
relations.’
• ‘In April 1961 The US supported a direct invasion
– the Bay of Pigs.’
• ‘To starve Castro into submission.’
• ‘The US banned the buying of sugar and then
banned all trade with Cuba
Describe how Cuba changed under Castro.
(4)
 Describe how Cuba changed under Castro.
(4)
• ‘He replaced Batista.’
• ‘He removed political opponents who were a threat.’
• ‘He won over the majority of Cubans.’
• ‘He took over American businesses.’
• ‘In 1960 he allied Cuba with the USSR.’
• ‘Diplomatic relations with the USA were broken off
in January 1961.’
• ‘Castro sold his sugar to the USSR rather than the
USA.’
 Explain why the failure of the Bay of
Pigs invasion caused problems for the
USA. (6)
 Explain why the failure of the Bay of Pigs
invasion caused problems for the USA. (6)
‘The fiasco of the Bay of Pigs further strengthened Castro’s position
in Cuba and suggested to the USSR that Kennedy was weak. It made
Castro and Khrushchev very
suspicious of US policy.’
‘The half-hearted invasion suggested to the Soviet Union that
despite its opposition to Communism in Cuba, the USA was unwilling
to get directly involved in Cuba. The Soviet leader was scornful of
Kennedy’s pathetic attempt to oust Communism from Cuba.’
‘Under the guise of protecting Cuba, significant quantities of Soviet
arms flooded into Cuba making Cuba the best equipped army in
Latin America. The US watched this with great alarm. This alarm was
increased significantly when nuclear weapons were sent.’
Explain why the Soviet Union became
involved in Cuba. (6)
 Explain why the Soviet Union became
involved in Cuba. (6)
• ‘Khrushchev wanted to bargain with the USA. If he had
missiles in Cuba he could agree to remove them if the
USA removed their missiles from, Turkey.’
• ‘In the context of the Cold War, he was trying to see how
strong the USA really was and to test the new President.’
• ‘Khrushchev was anxious to defend Cuba. It was the only
Communist state in the Western hemisphere, and had
willingly become Communist. In addition Cuba was in the
US’s ‘backyard’. It was ideal to try to encourage
Communist development in South America.’
Explain why Khrushchev placed missiles in
Cuba. (6)
 Explain why Khrushchev placed missiles in
Cuba. (6)
• ‘To bargain with the USA.’
• ‘To test the will of Kennedy.’
• ‘To gain the upper hand in the arms race.’
• ‘To defend Cuba.’
• ‘To extend communism.’

• Pick 3 EXPLAINED using PEE

Explain Kennedy’s options after missile sites
were discovered in Cuba. (6)
 Explain Kennedy’s options after missile sites
were discovered in Cuba. (6)
• ‘He had the option to do nothing as the USA was
the greater power.’
• ‘To begin an immediate air attack to destroy the
missile bases.’
• ‘To carry-out an invasion of Cuba by air and sea.’
• ‘To put on diplomatic pressure such as UN.’
• ‘To introduce a blockade to prevent further
military supplies coming into Cuba.’
• Pick 3 EXPLAINED using PEE
Kennedy could enforce a blockade which would
prevent further military supplies reaching Cuba.
This would show the USA was serious, but it
would not be an act of war. It would put the
burden on Khrushchev as to what to do next.
This would not solve the main problem – the
missiles were already on Cuba and could be
used within a week.’
• The outcomes of the Cuban Missile Crisis were
equally successful for:
• (i) the USA;
• (ii) the USSR;
• (iii) Cuba.
• How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer referring only to (i), (ii)
and (iii). (10)
The US foreign policy of containment was not successful because Cuba remained a
Communist state despite the removal of missiles, the Bay of Pigs incident and the
withdrawal of trade. The price the USA had to pay for the removal of Soviet
missiles was the secret removal of US missiles in Turkey, thus weakening US
containment policy. Kennedy could claim that he had stood up to Khrushchev and
his decisive action removed the threat of a nuclear base in Cuba.’

‘In the USSR, the fact that Khrushchev had been forced to back down was quickly
forgotten and instead his role of responsible peacemaker, willing to make the first
move to compromise, was highlighted. The crisis damaged Khrushchev’s prestige,
despite the fact he claimed the crisis was a victory for the USSR. Some leading
Soviet politicians were angry that their country had been forced to back down.
They played a significant part in Khrushchev’s dismissal in 1964.’

‘Cuba considered itself a strong ally of the USSR and could depend on it for
protection and considerable aid. Cuba remained an important base for Communist
supporters. Castro kept control of the American companies and other economic
resources he had nationalised.’
 The USA was more responsible for
causing the Cuban Missile Crisis than
the USSR.’ How far do you agree with
this statement? Explain your answer.
(10)
The USA was concerned about the coming to power of
Castro and tried to remove him with the Bay of Pigs
operation. This was a total failure and Kennedy was
humiliated. It resulted in Castro moving even closer to
the USSR who began to place missiles on Cuba.’

‘The Berlin Crisis and the building of the Wall in 1961

greatly increased the tension between the
superpowers. As Kennedy was seen to be weak by not
taking action in Berlin, Khrushchev tested him further
by placing missiles as close as possible to the USA to
increase the Communist sphere of influence. This was
one of the reasons for the crisis.’
Kennedy handled the Cuban Missile
Crisis better than Khrushchev did.’
How far do you agree with this
statement? (10)
 Kennedy handled the Cuban Missile Crisis better than
Khrushchev did.’ How far do you agree with this
statement? (10)
• ‘Kennedy came out of the crisis with a greatly improved reputation in his own country
and throughout the West. He had stood up to Khrushchev and forced him to back
down.’ ‘Kennedy also stood up to the hardliners in his own government. Some had
wanted the USA to invade Cuba but Kennedy realised this was not worth the high risk.
Instead he persuaded Khrushchev to withdraw and not cross the blockade.’ Kennedy
did have to remove the US missiles from Turkey. However, Khrushchev had to agree to
keep this secret so as not to gain publicity.’

• ‘There was no question that keeping Cuba safe from America action was a major
achievement for the Soviets. Cuba was a valuable ally and proved a useful base to use
to support Communists in South America.’
• ‘In public, Khrushchev was able to highlight his role as a responsible peacemaker,
willing to make his first move towards compromise.’
• ‘The crisis damaged Khrushchev’s prestige; despite the fact he claimed the crisis was a
victory for the Soviet Union. Some leading Soviet politicians were angry that their
country had been forced to back down. They played a significant part in Khrushchev’s
dismissal in 1964.’
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a victory for
the Soviet Union.’ How far do you agree
with this statement? (10)
 ‘The Cuban Missile Crisis was a victory for the Soviet
Union.’ How far do you agree with this statement? (10)

‘In public Khrushchev was able to highlight his role as a responsible peacemaker,
willing to make the first move towards compromise by writing letters and withdrawing missiles.’
Keeping Cuba safe from America was a major achievement for the Soviets. Cuba was a
valuable ally and a useful base to support Communists in South America. The US had to
accept that Castro’s Cuba would remain a Communist state in America’s backyard.’
‘The crisis exposed the USA to criticism with arguments about the USA being unreasonable in having
missiles in Turkey and then objecting to Soviet Missiles in Cuba.’

‘The crisis damaged Khrushchev’s credibility, despite the fact he claimed the crisis was a
victory for the Soviet Union. Some leading Soviet politicians were angry that their country
had been forced to back down. This played a significant part in Khrushchev’s dismissal
in 1964.’
‘Kennedy came out of the crisis with a greatly improved reputation in his own country and
throughout the West. He had stood up to Khrushchev and forced him to back down.’
‘The USA agreed to withdraw its nuclear missiles from Turkey. However the withdrawal
had to be kept secret so it could not be used for propaganda purposes.’
 The USA was more responsible for
causing the Cuban Missile Crisis than
the USSR.’ How far do you agree with
this statement? (10)
 The USA was more responsible for causing the Cuban
Missile Crisis than the USSR.’ How far do you agree with
this statement? (10)
The USSR had made Kennedy look weak in relation to the Berlin Wall and they were pushing
him further.’
‘Khrushchev sent missiles to Cuba.’
‘The USA had missiles threatening the USSR.’
‘A policy of containment was operated by the USA.’
‘The Bay of Pigs incident increased Soviet action.’
‘The USA was concerned about the coming to power of Castro and tried to remove
him with the Bay of Pigs operation. This was a total failure and Kennedy was humiliated.
It resulted in Castro moving even closer to the USSR who began to place missiles on
Cuba.’

‘The Berlin Crisis and the building of the Wall in 1961 greatly increased the tension
between the superpowers. As Kennedy was seen to be weak by not taking action in
Berlin, Khrushchev tested him further by placing missiles as close as possible to the USA
to increase the Communist sphere of influence. This was one of the reasons for the
crisis.’