The Events of the Cuban Missiles Crisis

The Events of the Cuban Missiles Crisis

1. 
   In a secret meeting between Robert Kennedy and the Soviet ambassador, the US government agreed that US missiles would be removed from Italy and Turkey.
   

2. 
   Troops were moved into Florida and nuclear bomber squadrons were put on full alert.
   

3. 
   Khrushchev now sent two letters. One in public was defiant. The second offered a compromise. The missile sites would be destroyed if the USA guaranteed to leave Cuba alone.
   

4. 
   He decided on a blockade because they could not promise that an air strike would destroy the sites but not hit anywhere else.
   

5. 
   On 27 October, a U2 was shot down over Cuba and the pilot was killed. This could have ruined the agreement. Kennedy apologised and the deal went ahead.
   

6. 
   The blockade came into effect on 24 October after Kennedy had given Khrushchev a warning. 180 ships were used including a fleet of nuclear submarines.
   

7. 
   On 14 October 1962 A US spy plane took photographs which showed Soviet missile bases being built on Cuba.
   

8. 
   However as these were in a NATO force it could not be announced immediately.
   

9. 
   Khrushchev realised that he had gone too far.
   

10. 
    Kennedy agreed to Khrushchev’s offer. The blockade was removed, the sites were destroyed and Cuba was left alone.
    

11. 
    Kennedy also suggested that the two leaders should begin talks on arms reduction.
    

12. 
    Cuba was only 90 miles from the coast of Florida. This meant that all US missile defence systems were now useless.
    

13. 
    From 16 October Kennedy spent one week asking his defence chiefs for possible reactions and considering alternatives.
    

14. 
    Khrushchev replied with a statement accusing the USA of interfering in Cuba’s internal affairs. But, the Soviet ships sailing to Cuba slowed down and even began to sail in circles.
    

15. 
    Kennedy realised that he had to make a stand.
    

16. 
    They were removed three months later.