Crisis Averted: The Cuban Missile Dilemma

1. The Cuban Missile Crisis

2. U-2 Photographs • Soviets pledged Cuba would only receive non-nuke defensive weapons • October 14, 1962 – U-2 flight over Cuba disclosed Soviet efforts to install 40 nuclear missiles. • USSR went against US warnings of putting missiles in Cuba

3. Motives for Missiles in Cuba??? • Soviet Intentions for Missiles unclear • Berlin • US Missiles/Weapons

4. Negotiate for Berlin? • USSR threatening control of ALL OF BERLIN • Thousands of East Germans fled to West through Berlin • Berlin Wall in Aug. 1961- Kept East Germans on Soviet side • US feared USSR wanted to negotiate Berlin for taking down Cuban missiles

5. US Weapons near USSR • USSR had more troops and non-nuke weapons in Europe than NATO • Jupiter missiles in Turkey to protect NATO members, but outdated by 1962 • Developed “Polaris submarine” which could carry Nuke missiles

6. Back to Cuba • Question was not whether they should be removed but HOW • Kept the intelligence secret from the USSR at first – buy time to decide reaction

7. ExComm

8. ExComm • Oct. 16, 1962 - Kennedy called closest most trusted advisors to help him manage crisis • Executive Committee of the National Security Council = ExComm • They met to consider the options – 4 days came up with 3 choices

9. 3 Options • Option 1: Peaceful Diplomacy • Option 2: Naval Blockade • Option 3: Air Strike of Missiles/Invade Cuba

10. Outcome • Kennedy chooses a blockade and then backdoor negotiation • Military pushes for more aggressive actions • Ultimately • SU agrees to remove missiles immediately from Cuba • US promises not invade Cuba, SECRETLY will remove Jupiter missiles, but this info can not be leaked.