During the Cold War, the US and USSR had many conflicts, and the Cuban missile crisis nearly led to war. Why did the crisis start?
The crisis started when the Soviet Union installed nuclear missiles in Cuba, which was seen as a significant threat to the United States. The Soviet Union viewed this move as a defensive measure in response to the United States' missiles in Turkey and its aggression towards communist countries. The tension between the two superpowers escalated when the US discovered the missiles, leading to a standoff that lasted for several days and almost resulted in a nuclear war. The crisis ended when the Soviet Union agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for a US promise not to invade Cuba and the dismantling of US missiles in Turkey.
The Cuban missile crisis started as a result of several factors. Here are the main reasons why the crisis began:
1. Cuban Revolution and Fidel Castro: In 1959, Fidel Castro led a successful revolution in Cuba, overthrowing the American-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista. Castro's government implemented socialist policies and established close ties with the Soviet Union.
2. Bay of Pigs Invasion: In 1961, the United States attempted to overthrow Castro's government by supporting a group of exiled Cubans in an invasion at the Bay of Pigs. However, the operation failed, which heightened tensions between the US and Cuba.
3. Soviet Union's deployment of missiles: In response to the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, the Soviet Union decided to help Cuba defend itself against future American aggression by deploying nuclear missiles on the island. The missiles had the capability to reach major US cities.
4. American reconnaissance aircraft photos: In October 1962, American reconnaissance aircraft discovered evidence of Soviet missile sites being constructed in Cuba. The US government saw this as a direct threat to national security.
5. Political motivations: The crisis took place during the height of the Cold War, with both the US and the Soviet Union competing for influence and dominance. The Soviet Union saw an opportunity to challenge American dominance in the Western Hemisphere, while the US did not want Soviet missiles so close to its borders.
These factors, along with the rapid escalation of tensions and the fear of nuclear war, led to the Cuban missile crisis.