Milestones in the History of U.S. Foreign Relations

The Cuban Missile Crisis, October 1962

Overview

• A direct and dangerous confrontation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
• The closest the two superpowers came to nuclear conflict.
• Featured miscalculations, secret communications, and was primarily managed at the White House and Kremlin level.

Prelude to the Crisis

• Bay of Pigs Invasion: Failed U.S. attempt to overthrow Castro in Cuba.
• Operation Mongoose: Plan by the Kennedy administration following the failed invasion.
• Soviet Agreement with Cuba: In July 1962, Khrushchev and Castro agreed to place Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba.
• U.S. Discovery: Routine surveillance flights revealed a Soviet arms build-up, including bombers in Cuba.
• Kennedy's Warning: On September 4, 1962, Kennedy publicly warned against the introduction of offensive weapons in Cuba.
• Discovery of Missiles: On October 14, U.S. reconnaissance discovered MRBMs and IRBMs in Cuba.

U.S. Response

• Advisory Meetings: Kennedy's advisers were split between military action and stern warnings.
• Naval Quarantine: On October 22, Kennedy ordered a naval quarantine, avoiding a blockade to prevent war.
• Kennedy's Public Address: He informed the public of the quarantine and the global stakes, evoking the Monroe Doctrine.
• Military Readiness: U.S. forces were elevated to DEFCON 3.

Soviet Reaction

• Khrushchev's Response: On October 24, he labeled the U.S. blockade as aggression.
• Ship Movements: Some Soviet ships turned back, others were stopped but found non-offensive.

Crisis Escalation

• DEFCON 2: U.S. reconnaissance showed missile sites near operational readiness.
• Diplomatic Channels: Kennedy pursued diplomatic solutions to avoid immediate military action.
• Back Channel Offer: On October 26, a Soviet agent proposed a resolution via reporter John Scali.
• Khrushchev's First Proposal: Suggested missile removal in exchange for U.S. non-invasion.
• Second Proposal: Demanded U.S. removal of missiles from Turkey.

Resolution

• Kennedy's Response: Ignored the second proposal, responded to the first suggesting missile removal under UN supervision.
• Secret Negotiations: Robert Kennedy indicated U.S. plans to remove Turkish missiles secretly.
• Soviet Withdrawal: On October 28, Khrushchev announced the dismantling of Cuban missiles.
• Continuation of Quarantine: Until Soviet bombers were removed, ending on November 20, 1962.
• Removal of U.S. Missiles in Turkey: Completed in April 1963.

Aftermath and Impact

• Kennedy's Reputation: Strengthened domestically and internationally.
• Communication Improvement: Established the Hotline between the White House and Kremlin.
• Arms Race Review: Led to the first steps towards a nuclear Test Ban Treaty.