Cuban missile crisis
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Current revision as of 16:21, 15 October 2012
The Cuban missile crisis (known as the October crisis in Cuba and the Caribbean crisis in the USSR) was a 13-day confrontation between the Soviet Union and Cuba on one side and the United States on the other.
[edit] Timeline of events
- 1959 - Castro in power
Fidel Castro takes power after the Cuban revolution. Tensions with the U.S. rise as the new Cuban government begins taking control of American-owned properties.
- 1960 - Soviet Union and Cuba as allies
Cuba and the Soviet Union develop economic ties, and the U.S. imposes a trade embargo against Cuba. Cuba nationalizes its foreign banks and openly aligns itself with the Soviet Union's policies.
- 1961 - Bay of Pigs Invasion
In January, relations between the U.S. and Cuba are broken off, and John F. Kennedy becomes the 35th U.S. President. In April, the Cuban army turns back an invasion attempt by an U.S.-backed group of Cuban exiles at the Bay of Pigs.
- April 1962 - Missiles in Turkey
American Jupiter missiles in Turkey become operational, well within range of Soviet targets.
- August 31, 1962 - Senate warning
Senator Kenneth Keating warns the Senate that the Soviets are building missile sites in Cuba and urges Kennedy to take action.
- September 11, 1962 - Soviet reaction
If the U.S. attacks Cuba, that could mean war with the Soviet Union, Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko warns in a speech to the UN.
- October 14, 1962 - Photo evidence
Oct. 14-15: An American U2 spy plane flies over Cuba and provides photographs showing evidence of Soviet missile sites. The next day, analysis of the images will trigger the Cuban missile crisis.
- October 16, 1962 - 'ExComm' meeting
Kennedy calls an emergency meeting with military and political advisers — a group that would become known as ExComm (or Executive Committee). ExComm decides on a naval blockade after rejecting an air strike at the missile sites.
- October 22, 1962 - Cuba quarantine
The world learns about the crisis when Kennedy addresses the nation in a televised speech and announces a naval blockade of Cuba until Soviet missiles are removed. The president warns the U.S. would retaliate if a Soviet missile is launched from Cuba.
- October 23, 1962 - Soviet response
Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev says the presence of the missile sites are "solely to defend Cuba against the attack of an aggressor."
- October 24, 1962 - Naval blockade
Oct. 24-25: Soviet ships head for Cuba but appear to alter course as they neared the quarantine zone. The following day, a Soviet oil tanker closes in on the blockade, but is let through. October 26, 1962 - Standoff Russia continues construction on the Cuban missile bases. Kennedy considers an invasion of Cuba. That night, the Soviets offer to dismantle the sites if the blockade is lifted, and the U.S. doesn't invade Cuba.
- October 27, 1962 - U.S. pilot killed
Khrushchev contacts Kennedy, demanding that U.S. missile sites in Turkey be dismantled. On the same day, a U2 plane is shot down over Cuba, and an U.S. pilot is killed. War looks imminent. That night, Kennedy sends Khrushchev a letter offering to end the blockade and not invade Cuba if the Soviets remove the missile bases. The president also agrees to dismantle the Turkish missile bases at a later date.
- October 28, 1962 - Confrontation over
The crisis ends. Khrushchev agrees to remove the missiles in Cuba. The U.S. pledges not to invade Cuba and to remove American missiles from Turkey.
- November 20, 1962 - Soviet exit; blockade ends
Russian bombers leave Cuba, and Kennedy lifts the naval blockade.
- December 24, 1962 - U.S.-Cuban exchange
The U.S. sends Cuba medicine and food in exchange for exiles captured in the Bay of Pigs invasion.
