Cuban Missile Crisis During the Cuban Missile Crisis, leaders of the U. S. and the Soviet Union engaged in a tense, (negative energy, uncertain) 13-day political and military standoff in October 1962 over the installation of nuclear-armed Soviet missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from U. S. shores.
After taking power in the Caribbean island nation of Cuba in 1959, revolutionary leader Fidel Castro aligned himself with the Soviet Union. Under Castro, Cuba grew dependent on the Soviets for military and economic aid. During this time, the U. S. and the Soviets were engaged in the Cold War, an ongoing series of largely political and economic clashes. Cuba now represented a threat to Americans as the missiles installed were so close to the U. S. mainland–just 90 miles south of Florida. From that launch point, they were capable of quickly reaching targets in the eastern U. S.
The challenge facing the U. S. was to remove the missiles without causing more conflict–and possibly a nuclear war. President Kennedy and his advisors came up with a variety of options, including a bombing attack on the missile sites and a full-scale invasion of Cuba. But Kennedy ultimately decided on a more measured approach. First, he would employ the U. S. Navy to establish a blockade, or quarantine, of the island to prevent the Soviets from delivering additional missiles and military equipment. Second, he would deliver an ultimatum that the existing missiles be removed.
In a television broadcast on October 22, 1962, the president notified Americans about the presence of the missiles, explained his decision to enact the blockade and made it clear that the U. S. was prepared to use military force if necessary to neutralize this perceived threat to national security. Following this announcement, people around the globe nervously waited for the Soviet response. Some Americans, fearing their country was near nuclear war, hoarded food and gas.
Despite the enormous tension, Soviet and American leaders found a way to compromise. During the crisis, the Americans and Soviets had exchanged letters and other communications, and on October 26, Khrushchev sent a message to Kennedy in which he offered to remove the Cuban missiles in exchange for a promise by U. S. leaders not to invade Cuba. The following day, the Soviet leader sent a letter proposing that the Soviets would dismantle its missiles in Cuba if the Americans removed their missile installations in Turkey.
1. What was the main problem of the Cuban Missile Crisis? Why was this such a serious time?

2. What were some ideas that the U. S. had for Cuba? What did they decide to do?

3. What was the final agreement the U. S. and Soviets?

4. How would you feel if you were living in the U. S. during this time? Explain with details.