HOW DID THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS CONTRIBUTE TO COLD WAR TENSIONS BETWEEN THE SOVIET UNION AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN THE 1960S? Study Sources 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D and answer the questions that follow - NSC History - Question 1 - 2017 - Paper 1

Khrushchev chose to assist Cuba for several reasons:

1. If Cuba fell, other Latin American countries would likely reject the Soviet Union, impacting its influence in the region.
2. Losing Cuba would represent a significant blow to Marxism-Leninism, undermining the Soviet political stance in the Western Hemisphere.
3. The presence of Soviet support was vital for maintaining the stature of the Soviet Union in the eyes of global communism.

The pre-condition for the deployment of missiles from Cuba to the USA was that Cuba would not be invaded by the USA.

The concept of quarantine in the context of the Cuban Missile Crisis refers to the naval blockade established by the USA to prevent Soviet ships from delivering missiles to Cuba. This action aimed to secure the safety and security of the United States by limiting the deployment of potential threats while preventing the escalation of military actions.

The source is useful for understanding the Cuban Missile Crisis as it highlights the fears of the Soviet Union regarding possible US invasion of Cuba, as well as the broader geopolitical implications of Soviet support for Cuban communism. It also details the factors that influenced Khrushchev's decision-making and responses during the crisis.

The USA was keeping a close watch on Cuba to ensure the safety and security of its own territory and to prevent the spread of communism in Latin America.

Kennedy found it necessary to impose a quarantine to:

1. Eliminate a direct threat posed by Soviet missiles in close proximity to the USA.
2. Prevent the potential outbreak of a nuclear war by taking an active stance against Soviet aggression.
3. Show a firm commitment to preventing the spread of communism in the Americas.

The USA opposed the installation of Soviet missiles in Cuba to avoid the strategic disadvantage of having enemy missiles stationed just 90 miles from its shores, which posed an immediate threat to national security.

Kennedy likely meant that the actions taken during this tense period could have profound implications beyond the immediate conflict, shaping global political dynamics and the future of inter-nation relations. This emphasizes the hope for a peaceful resolution and a transformative shift in Cold War politics.

Robert Kennedy and Dobrynin likely decided to talk to find common ground to de-escalate the tensions between the USA and the Soviet Union and to prevent the situation from escalating into a military confrontation.

Dobrynin's reference to Turkey indicated that the balance of power and mutual concerns regarding missile deployments were critical in the negotiations. The USA had missiles in Turkey, and this reciprocity influenced the discussions on the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The information in Source 1C supports the evidence in Source 1B by demonstrating how U.S. and Soviet missile placements were part of a broader strategic chess game during the Cold War, where each action was closely monitored and reciprocated to maintain a balance of power.

The two leaders portrayed in the source are Fidel Castro and Nikita Khrushchev.

The phrase implies that Khrushchev was communicating the emotional burden of making tough decisions during the crisis, suggesting that he did not take pleasure in the confrontational stance yet felt compelled to act in the interest of national security for the Soviet Union.

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a pivotal event that heightened Cold War tensions between the USA and the Soviet Union. It showcased the precarious balance of power as both nations acted under the threat of nuclear conflict. The presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba prompted a direct and forceful response from the USA, emphasizing mutual distrust. This crisis established patterns of brinkmanship that characterized subsequent Cold War interactions, highlighting the stakes of nuclear warfare and the ideological rivalry between communism and capitalism.