10 Interesting Facts about the Cuban Missile Crisis

These interesting facts about the Cuban Missile Crisis will give you knowledge and information to know more about it. The Cuban Missile Crisis is the part of the Cold War. It was a 13-day confrontation in October 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet ballistic missiles deployed in Cuba. Below are some details facts about the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Facts about the Cuban Missile Crisis 1: The Date and Location

This 13-day confrontation happened from 14 until 28 October in 1962. The Cuban Missile Crisis located at Cuba, Caribbean Sea.

Facts about the Cuban Missile Crisis 2: Early Event

Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev decided to agree to Cuba’s request to place nuclear missiles in Cuba to deter future harassment of Cuba in response to the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of 1961 and the presence of American Jupiter ballistic missiles in Italy and Turkey against the USSR with Moscow within range.

Facts about the Cuban Missile Crisis 3: Operational Plans

There were two Operational Plans (OPLAN) were considered in this crisis, those are OPLAN 316 by Army and Marine supported by the Navy following Air Force and naval airstrikes and OPLAN 312 by Air Force and Navy.

Facts about the Cuban Missile Crisis 4: The Belligerents

There are five countries related to this crisis. NATO supported the side of United States, Italy and Turkey; while Warsaw Pact supported the Soviet Union and Cuba.

Facts about the Cuban Missile Crisis 5: Kennedy’s Speech

On October 22, President Kennedy gave a speech to the nation. He stated his administration’s plans to quarantine on all offensive military equipment under shipment to Cuba. He would turn back all ships of any kind bound for Cuba, from whatever nation or port, will, if found to contain cargoes of offensive weapons.

Facts about the Cuban Missile Crisis 6: International Response to Kennedy’s Speech

Different responses were showed by several countries after Kennedy’s Speech. The Chinese as stated in the Chinese People’s Daily announced that they were standing by the Cuban People. While in West Germany, the media supported the United States’ response.

Facts about the Cuban Missile Crisis 7: Khrushchev’s telegram

Khrushchev sent a telegram to Kennedy warned that the United States’ “outright piracy” would lead to war. Then he sent following telegram stated that if Kennedy coolly weigh the situation which has developed, not giving way to passions, he will understand that the Soviet Union cannot fail to reject the arbitrary demands of the United States” and that the Soviet Union views the blockade as “an act of aggression” and their ships will be instructed to ignore it.

Facts about the Cuban Missile Crisis 8: Kennedy’s Response

Kennedy responded to Khrushchev’s telegram. He stated that the United States was forced into action after receiving repeated assurances that no offensive missiles were being placed in Cuba.

Facts about the Cuban Missile Crisis 9: Moscow – Washington Hotline

Moscow – Washington Hotline is created after the crisis. It is a direct communications link between Moscow and Washington, D.C. Its purpose was to have a way that the leaders of the two Cold War countries could communicate directly to solve such a crisis.

Facts about the Cuban Missile Crisis 10: The Result

The results of this crisis are withdrawal of Soviet Union’s nuclear missiles from Cuba and American nuclear missiles from Turkey. It is also make an agreement with the Soviet Union that the United States would never invade Cuba without direct provocation. Furthermore, it creates a nuclear hotline between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Hopefully those interesting facts about the Cuban Missile Crisis will enrich your sources of reading.