October 14, 1962 - Start of the Cuban Missile Crisis

“Power” has its riches and ditches, and in the hands of leaders of great nations, it can be a weapon of destruction. On October 14, 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis began as a result of discovery of the United States' plan to overthrow Fidel Castro, the Communist leader of Cuba (1). This discovery of Operation Mongoose aided Castro’s insecurities, and he allowed the installment of Soviet missile sites in Cuba, in exchange for more military aid (2). Although the United States and Russia fought alongside during World War II, they didn’t get along because of their different form of government. The United States was democratic, Russia was communist, and by the end of the war they developed a great sense of mistrust and enmity towards each other. The actions taken by the United States at the beginning of the Cuban missile crisis supports their post-war view about Russia (3).

British cartoon of 29 October 1962
shows Kennedy and Khrushchev arm-wrestling
 for power while sitting on hydrogen
bombs. The caption read: 'OK Mr president, let's talk.'

After the failure of the Bay of Pigs Invasion (a United States invasion to oust Fidel Castro on April 4, 1961) (5), Fidel Castro rationalized that he needed a larger military defense to protect his communist rule. His thirst for this more military defense heightened in 1962 when the Cuban Intelligence discovered documents regarding Operation Mongoose (a United States plan to overthrow Castro planned for October 1962). This created the avenue the Soviet Union needed—a range close enough to strike the United States effectively, so Khrushchev , who was worried about an imbalance of power due to the American missile in Turkey, proposed installing Soviet missiles in Cuba and Castro accepted. (6) 

The construction of the missile sites in Cuba began in mid-July in 1962, but in  August, suspicions arose when American intelligence unraveled the increased shipping activities between the Soviet Union and Cuba (7). In that same month, on the 29th, the first photographic evidence showed the type of missiles installed, and that they were not offensive, but indicated Cuban desire for stronger security. The Soviet Ambassador even convinced Robert F. Kennedy, (one of President Kennedy’s closest advisors), that the installations were only for defensive purposes (8). However, to be certain of this, more photographic evidence was acquired on October 14, 1962. This second piece of evidence proved that the Soviet Union and Cuba could not be trusted, for six larger medium range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) had been installed (9).

Tension began to greatly build between the Soviet Union, and a nuclear war was about to begin based on the events above. “During the next two weeks, the united States and the Soviet Union would come as close to nuclear war as they ever had, and a fearful world awaited the outcome” (10). The decision made, and action taken by these nations began the Cuban Missiles Crisis, and they were based on the mistrust between these nations, their fear and test of power, and the resentments from the Cuban war, Bay of Pigs Invasion, and World War II. These actions brought the United States and Russia on the brink of a nuclear war.

- Lindsay T. and Teledalase O.





(1) "Cuban Missile Crisis." United States History, accessed 09 October, 2013, http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1736.html
(2) “Cuban Missile Crisis”
(3)"The Cuban Missile Crisis begins” Today in History, History.com, accessed on 09 October, 2013, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-cuban-missilecrisis-begins
(4) “Cuban Missile Crisis”
(5)"Bay of Pigs Invasion." United States History, accessed 09 October, 2013, http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1765.html
(6) “Cuban Missile Crisis”
(7) “Cuban Missile Crisis”
(8)"The Cuban Missile Crisis Begins”
(9) “The Cuban Missile Crisis Begins”
(10) “The Cuban Missile Crisis Begins”