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Aerial view of missile launch site at San Cristobal, Cuba. (John F. Kennedy Library)

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Anthony Lo and Lucas Kerr

The US discovered the Soviet Missile stockpile on the 16th of October 1962 through a spy plane (U-2) taking photographs of the evidence that the Soviet's had nuclear capabilities and could strike the United States.

After the failed U.S. attempt to overthrow the Castro regime in Cuba with the Bay of Pigs invasion, and while the Kennedy administration planned Operation Mongoose, in July 1962 Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev reached a secret agreement with Cuban premier Fidel Castro to place Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba to deter any future invasion attempt

It raised tensions because before this, the US only had suspicions about the possibility of nuclear arms located in Cuba, this was a confirmation of their worst fears as missiles in Cuba could reach most of US's major cities. As seen in JFK public warning of September 4 that the "gravest consequences" would follow if significant Soviet offensive weapons were introduced into Cuba.

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On 14 October 1962, a U.S. U-2 spy plane flew over Cuba and captured photographs of Soviet ballistic missile sites being built. These images provided the first concrete evidence that the USSR was placing nuclear weapons just 145 km from the U.S. coastline.

Why Did It Happen?

The event raised tensions to their highest point during the Cold War, bringing the world to the brink of nuclear war. President Kennedy responded by placing a naval blockade called a “quarantine” around Cuba and demanding the removal of the missiles.

Tentions

Direct proof of Soviet deception escalated U.S. military readiness to DEFCON 2 — the highest ever short of actual war.

A 13-day crisis followed, with threats of nuclear retaliation from both sides.

Eventual compromise: the USSR agreed to remove the missiles if the U.S. removed its missiles from Turkey and promised not to invade Cuba.

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JFK's public announcement on October 22, 1962, The State of the Union Address

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Kennedy's Public Announcement (October 22, 1962)

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Kennedy's Public Announcement (October 22, 1962)

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On October 22, 1962, President Kennedy revealed Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, threatening U.S. security. He announced a naval blockade to prevent further shipments and emphasised the seriousness of the situation while calling for international cooperation.

WHY DID IT HAPPEN

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Magnus and Angus

Brief Overview

America signed a proclamation to create a blockade or to "quarantine" Cuba which led to ships and submarines surrounding cuba to block off any vessel that came through

Why did it happen?

it started because the US wanted to stop trade between Cuba and the USSR as missiles may be imported causing threats to the US

How did it raise tensions?

Evidence that shows tensions raised

Quickly after the proclamation was signed, Kruschev sent a letter, quoting from it: "You, Mr. President, are not declaring a quarantine, but rather are setting forth an ultimatum." This definitely shows that Khrushchev does not want this to happen, and tensions are rising between the USSR and the US.

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Premier Khrushchev's letter to President Kennedy, October 26, 1962.

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Soviet Premier Khrushchev's Letter to Kennedy (October 26, 1962)

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Soviet Premier Khrushchev's Letter to Kennedy (October 26, 1962)

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Zac S and Jacob T

Brief Overview

During this time there was extreme tension between the USSR and the US, when John F Kennedy reached out to the leader of the Soviet Union , Nikita Khrushchev, attempting to have a secret meeting and discuss about the missile bases in Cuba he responded back in a passive aggressive manner, barking back at him calling is 'quarantine' a blockade whilst telling him the secret meeting in Vienna would be pointless. Khrushchev then ends the letter talking about how "we communists are against any wars between states" and how he wants "peace, happiness, and friendship among nations."

Why did it happen?

Kennedy wanted to peacefully resolve the missile crisis and the quarantine through a letter. However Khrushchev felt agitated from this letter and wrote an arguing response about how Khrushchev knows Kennedy's intentions with his 'quarantine' plans being a blockade.

Did it raise tension?

This act did raise tension as Khrushchev knew the true intentions of JFK but could not act on it as it would be viewed as the Soviet Union making the first move, leading to the next world war, and it being against them, ultimately leading to their demise

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A Cabinet Room recording from 11:50 A.M. on October 16 captures portions of Kennedy’s first briefing on the missile crisis from CIA imagery analysts on the results of the Oct. 14 U-2 overflight of Cuba.

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Initial Presidential Briefing (October 16, 1962) George Solomon and Taher Poonawala

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Initial Presidential Briefing (October 16, 1962) George Solomon and Taher Poonawala

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Why did the event happen (Was it in response to another event?)

This event happened because of the reconnaissance plane, the U-2, capturing Soviet MRBM (Medium range ballistic missile) sites in Cuba, which notified the CIA, who then notified JFK at the initial presidential briefing

Did the event raise or lower tensions?

The vent most definitely raised tensions as JFK realised the missiles could reach parts of the U.S., making JFK increasingly more nervous about such powerful missiles close to the U.S This then gave JFK the decision to put up naval ships around Cuba to act as a blockade towards the Soviet Union.

Evidence that shows how tensions changed

This caused tension because multiple bases that could attack the US are Soviet-built, causing tension through fear.

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 President Kennedy's  letter to Premier Khrushchev, October 26, 1962.

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In a private letter, Fidel Castro urges Nikita Khrushchev to initiate a nuclear first strike against the United States in the event of an American invasion of Cuba. JFK responds stating how he believes they should keep on exchanging opinions but instead of publicly, through secret messages. He continues to say that everyone (Capitalists and Communist's) need peace. Later, a long, rambling letter from Khrushchev to Kennedy makes a similar offer: removal of the missiles in exchange for lifting the quarantine and a pledge that the U.S. will not invade Cuba. The letter lowered the tensions as both parties are trying to figure out a peaceful option that won't threaten the whole world. "I think you will understand me correctly if you are really concerned for the world." This sentence shows that the decisions made through these letters could change and possibly destroy the world truly showing the tensions and the state of this situation.

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(Krushchev's second letter to JFK, regarding the reason they sent arms to Cuba, while referencing US missiles in the UK and Turkey                                             -https://microsites.jfklibrary.org/cmc/oct27/)

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Khrushchev’s Second Letter (October 27, 1962)

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Khrushchev’s Second Letter (October 27, 1962)

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Yuvraj.c and Vivaan.G

The second letter to JFK regards his concerns for the security of US territory, and along with this, Kruschev refers to US missiles in the UK and Turkey and calls it 'irreconcilable' that the us is concerned about Soviet arms in Cuba

This happened in response to the removal of Soviet missiles in Cuba in response to both parties agreeing to remove missiles from their respective territories along with a non-invasion pledge from both sides

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Secret agreement to stop the building for the missile bases in Cuba

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The Secret Deal & the end of the crisis ( 28th of October, 1962 )

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The Secret Deal & the end of the crisis ( 28th of October, 1962 )

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(October 28th 1962) The U.S and the USSR came to an agreement for the USSR to stop building missile bases in Cuba, and to disband all missiles being stored at the base in Cuba.

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Times Square New Years Eve - Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2000

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R Richards and L Jerram

Brief overview of event

Why it happened

Did it raise or lower tensions w/ evidence