cold-war-modern: Lesson 2

The Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 was a pivotal moment in Cold War history, as it brought the United States and the Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear war. The crisis began when the U.S. discovered Soviet nuclear missiles stationed in Cuba, just 90 miles from Florida. President John F. Kennedy responded by imposing a naval blockade to prevent further shipments of military equipment to Cuba. The standoff lasted for 13 days, during which both superpowers engaged in intense negotiations, ultimately leading to the removal of the missiles in exchange for a U.S. promise not to invade Cuba and the secret withdrawal of American missiles from Turkey. This event exemplified the dangers of the Cold War and highlighted the need for improved communication between the two nations.