About Cuban Missile Crisis   

• In October 1962, the Cold War reached its peak when the USA and the Soviet Union came dangerously close to nuclear war for 13 days.  
• This tense situation is known as the Cuban Missile Crisis.  
• The crisis was avoided due to quick and wise decisions by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev and US President John F. Kennedy.

Background  

• In 1961, US-supported Cuban rebels tried to remove Fidel Castro from power.  
• The invasion failed, which made Castro turn to the Soviet Union for protection against future US attacks.

Main Events of the Crisis  

Soviet Missiles in Cuba  

• Khrushchev placed nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 145 km off the US coast.  
• These missiles could hit the eastern US within minutes.  

US Reaction  

• Kennedy announced a naval blockade (called quarantine) to stop more Soviet weapons from reaching Cuba.  

Climax and Resolution:  

• On October 28, 1962, Khrushchev agreed to stop missile construction in Cuba and remove the missiles.  
• In return, USA promised not to invade Cuba.  
• By late November, the crisis officially ended.

The Soviet Union (USSR) 

• Full name: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.  
• A communist superpower made up of 21 republics, ruled by the Communist Party.  
• Highly centralized political and economic system.  
• Collapsed in 1991, ending the Cold War.