Why did Khrushchev place missiles on Cuba? by Guo Vei Chiu https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve Made with charm en-us 2020-04-09 01:08:16 UTC 2025-03-29 18:58:20 UTC hello@padlet.com chiu_guo_vei1 https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499712673 2020-04-09 01:13:17 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499712673 chiu_guo_vei1 https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499712999 2020-04-09 01:13:48 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499712999 chiu_guo_vei1 https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499713375 2020-04-09 01:14:18 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499713375 chiu_guo_vei1 https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499713782 2020-04-09 01:14:50 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499713782 chiu_guo_vei1 https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499714061 2020-04-09 01:15:16 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499714061 devan rasydan rushda hseng chee jovan https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499774719 I can infer from Source C that Khrushchev placed missiles on Cuba to strategically defeat USA. I know this because the long missile range and medium missile range can tremendously damage the cities under the missile radar. This means that Nikita can quietly and efficiently defeat USA.

Mr Chiu's Comments
Great observation of the source details. So when Nikita wields this super destructive threat against the USA, what kind of advantage can the SU gain over the USA?]]> 2020-04-09 02:40:55 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499774719 irfan john dy denise dania i can infer from source b that khrushchev placed missiles in cuba because During the Cuban Missile Crisis, leaders of the U.S. and the Soviet Union engaged in a tense, 13-day political and military standoff in October 1962 over the installation of nuclear-armed Soviet missiles on Cuba, just 90 miles from U.S. shore Soviet missiles were deployed to Cuba was because Khrushchev wanted to bring West Berlin, controlled by the American, British and French within Communist East Germany, into the Soviet orbit.cuba was the only communist regimes so close to the USA. Its very existence as a strategically placed communist state would show the USA that communism was a force to be reckoned with. In 1962 https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499776928 Mr Chiu's comments
I am afraid you have not addressed the question and the source content. If you examine the source closely, you'd see that SU was at a disadvantage as compared to the USA. So by having Soviet missles within striking distance of the USA, what does Khrushchev want to counter?]]> 2020-04-09 02:42:53 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499776928 https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499777341 I can infer that he wanted to protect himself from the USA

]]> 2020-04-09 02:43:27 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499777341 ms nisa grp E https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499777402 I can infer from the source that Khrushchev decided to place missiles in Cuba because he had wanted to secure the soviet hold on west berlin.This can be seen as the source says that “West berlin has always been ‘the pebble in my shoe’ that SU can not get rid of”. Meaning that by placing missiles in Cuba, it would give Khrushchev the upper hand and in a better position for negotiation. From my contextual knowledge, I also know that in 1949, the Berlin blockage had failed to force western powers to quit West berlin, such that by placing missiles in Cuba, Khrushchev would be able to have a greater advantage against the western powers in terms of West berlin, since the missiles in Cuba served as a threat to the western powers, where they would be obligated to give in to Khrushchev’s request as response to removing the missiles from Cuba.
Ms Nisa's comments: Great job guys! Good use of CK to explain SU's desire to control West Berlin & how the missile in Cuba was his attempt to have political leverage over the USA! :) ]]> 2020-04-09 02:43:33 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499777402 Source D , Mr Chiu group : shanaz, rifqah, megan, shermaine, jhaspar 4/6 https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499778692 I can infer from source d that the reason why Khrushchev wanted to place missiles in Cuba was due to the failure of the operation : Bays of pigs. In response to the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion in 1961 and the presence of American Jupiter ballistic missiles in Italy and Turkey, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev agreed to Cuba’s request to place nuclear missiles on the island to deter a future invasion.

Mr Chiu's Comments
So Khrushchev's reason was to offer Cuba more protection against the USA. That is a valid response, well done.  This source is quite tricky because it also hints at Khrushchev's perception of Kennedy. Khrush sees Ken as a weak president as shown by the Bay of Pigs fiasco and so Khrush wanted to exploit that weakness by placing missiles on Cuba. Khrush was confident that Ken wont protest or push back. ]]> 2020-04-09 02:45:25 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499778692 matthew https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499778780 I can infer that Khrushchev wanted to distract the USA. By placing missiles in Cuba, the USA would be on high alert as a communist country was so close to them and armed with lethal weapons. This meant that Khrushchev could divert the USA's attention from West Berlin and give the Soviets a chance at reclaiming West Berlin.

Mr Chiu's Comments
Good attempt Matthew. You are spot on in saying that Khrush wants to reclaim West Berlin. So by placing missiles on Cuba to threaten USA, Khrush would be negotiating with USA over West Berlin from a position of ....?]]> 2020-04-09 02:45:33 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499778780 Khurshev saw USA coming close to Cuba therefore he felt threatened and insecure https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499779087
ALLEZ ALLEZ ALLEZ

Comment by Mr Chiu
But what does Source A tell you about the real reason? It shows  a Map of Europe with missiles from both sides pointed at each other. Pay attention to turkey]]> 2020-04-09 02:46:01 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499779087 i can infer that Khrushchev want to take over the whole West Germany. https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499779648 I know this because source E said "West Berlin has always been the pebble in my shoes"
This means that Khrushchev is concern about West Berlin and wanted to take over West Berlin.
Joseph
Ms Nisa's Comments
Good attempt Joseph. You are right- Khrush wants to reclaim West Berlin. you should however elaborate by saying - "So by placing missiles on Cuba , he was trying to threaten USA so that USA will give up the west's control over West Berlin. "]]> 2020-04-09 02:46:49 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499779648 https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499780373 Moving existing nuclear weapons to locations from which they could reach American targets

Mr Chiu's comments
This is indeed Khrushchev's intention and how will having Russian missiles within striking distance on the USA benefit SU?]]> 2020-04-09 02:47:50 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499780373 Nurul,Jeshua,Issac,Guan Heng and Aydin https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499782070 2020-04-09 02:50:06 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499782070 they placed missiles in cuba to threaten the us not to attack russia since there were us troops surrounding russia https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499782184 Mr Chiu Comment
Where exactly from the map did the threat come from? So are you saying that he placed missles on cuba as a counter to NATO threats against Russia?]]> 2020-04-09 02:50:16 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499782184 ms nisa grp c bryanleejun https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499782220 The missiles of Soviet Union that are placed in Cuba can now reach United States. This is a reassurance for Khrushchev as United States have also placed missiles in Turkey to attack Soviet Union if necessary. So we can infer that the missiles that were placed in Cuba for the purpose of defending Soviet Union against American aggression.
Ms Nisa's comments:
You are right, the missile's ability to strike USA will give the SU the military leverage over the USA and this was a reason why the SU decided to place the missile there. ]]> 2020-04-09 02:50:19 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499782220 NABIL MAHA KIMBERLY KAVISHA https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499782986 I can infer from source E that khrushchev wanted to place missiles on cuba as it would allow him to use it as a leverage to demand west Germany to give up west berlin to west berlin. I know this source says that West Berlin has always been ‘the pebble in my shoe’ that 'SU can’t get rid of'. This means that west berlin was in the way of khrushchev political plan and was painful to keep them in Germany.]]> 2020-04-09 02:51:04 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499782986 I can infer from source A that Khrushchev wanted to place the missiles in Cuba as cuba was close to US. I know this as the background information shows a map with cuba right under US. This tells me that Khrushchev placed the missiles in Cuba as leverage against the US as they can launch missiles from Cuba to US easily. https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499783029 Nat, Sherry, Pearlyn, Ella
Mr chiu's comment. 
Good point raised about leverage against the USA. Can you explain how this leverage works?

]]> 2020-04-09 02:51:07 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499783029 Enzo Amos Eliz Qian Hong Lucien https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499783257 I can infer from Source C that the main reason why Khrushchev placed missiles on Cuba was to critically attack US and also to defend themselves at the same time. This is evident by the Source showing the range of missiles, covering almost the whole of US, up to 2200 Nautical Miles. Furthermore, based on my own knowledge,  US had already invade Cuba once, hence,  Cuba decided to ally with the only superpower left, Soviet Union. Cuba was determined that US would once again invade Cuba. Castro at first only wanted to sign a defense treaty with the Soviet Union in order to deter from being attacked by the US. However, Khrushchev decided to take this on another level and informed the Soviet ambassador to install missiles on Cuba. Therefore, this means that the installation of missiles was an act of revenge against the US for provoking Cuba and the Soviet Union.

]]> 2020-04-09 02:51:28 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499783257 ms nisa grp D https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499784993 i can infer from source D that the reason kruschev place missiles on cuba, was to protect cuba from the USA, i know this because the heading on top of the newspaper article states that cuba was invaded by sea and air and from my contextual knowledge, the USA was the one whom invaded Cuba. This was known as the bay of pigs which was a failed operation on the southwest of cuba in 1961 by cuban exies who opoosed the cuban revolution and were financed by the US government. This failure ultimately made krushchev place missiles in cuba in order to protect the communist country. Thus krushchev place missiles on cuban to protect againt the USA

Ms Nisa's comments:
As mentioned during our google meet, this is a valid response, well done. One can say that the missile was placed there to defend Cuba- from the mention of the bay of pigs . thus good use of your ck! :) however, like i said there's a part of the source that you missed out- the chicken! the chicken implies that Khr saw Ken as a coward/weak ("he's a chicken") and thus Khr feels like he can "take advantage" of ken and try to "push the situation" by placing the missile in Cuba so being a weak president, Khr was confident that Ken wont retaliate.]]> 2020-04-09 02:53:16 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499784993 jingsiang zhengyang siling yifeng https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499787528 i can infer from source d that Khrushchev wanted to protect Cuba from USA . This is evident by source d saying " Cuba invaded from sea and air " . This means that Khrushchev felt threatened and place missiles to protect Cuba from USA . The failure of bay of pigs also made Khrushchev more confirmed on putting missiles in Cuba .]]> 2020-04-09 02:56:53 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499787528 shawn https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499788454 i can infer that krushev put missiles on cuba as he could use it as leverage for the western powers to leave west berlin and hand it over to Soviet Union
 i know this because the source says  ' west berlin is the pebble in the shoe SU cant get rid of ' shows that he is seeking for ways to rid of western influence in berlin  , henceforth had incentive to put missles in cuba
Mr Chiu's Comments
Excellent response but do take it one more step further. How will placing missiles on Cuba give Khrush leverage?]]> 2020-04-09 02:58:21 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499788454 brenda rachel gawayne fazari harish dhanie https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499800853 I can infer that stalin would react pragmatically as from source b about the reason khruschev decided to place missiles in cuba as there were rising tensions between the usa and cuba.
This is because source b shows that the number of warheads had gradually increased for US over the years while soviet union war head did not increase as much as much as US.
Hence,this means that in order to compete with US that had decided to place missiles at cuba

Mr Chiu'd comments
Thank you for the clear and detailed response. Indeed the disadvantage faced by SU was that they lagged behind the USA in terms of quantity of warheads. So Khrushchev found a way to  counter that advantage. How ?]]> 2020-04-09 03:16:40 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499800853 janice , dong jun , ryanne , fubin https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499801747 we can infer from source A that the reason Khrushchev decided to place missiles on cuba was because soviet union was being threatened by the U.S allies. This is evident by the map shown in source A as the tanks in France , west germany and italy tanks are being placed near soviet union borders. Therefore making Khrushchev felt threaten hence leading him to put missiles in cuba to feel less threaten and lower the the threat of being attack. If a attack were to happen , Soviet union will be able to fire a missile from cuba.

Mr chiu's comments
Excellent reasoning and points made. However from the map there is one NATO country in particular that was very threatening to SU. Can you find it?]]> 2020-04-09 03:18:07 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499801747 Glen, Daniel,Man kin, Leelin,Krislynn https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499822260 I can infer from the source that the reason Khrushchev decided to place missiles in Cuba was because he wanted to neutralise  USAs superior numbers in terms of missile threats . As the source shows, the Soviet Union had built more warheads starting from 1950 to 1960 and placing them in Cuba which is close to the USA. This would further demoralise the USA to attack them with any of their missiles as the soviet union can also retaliate anytime. So with the USA knowing this, they would feel more alarmed and frightened to attack them and hence thinking twice before making the decision to attack them.Thus deciding to place missiles in Cuba to neutralise  USAs superior numbers in terms of missile threats and make them more aware of their capability and power.
Mr chiu's Comments
The part that i highlighted is the key  to your response. Indeed with superior numbers, USA had a quantity advantage over SU, so the chance to place missiles on Cuba was too good to pass up in order to eliminate this advantage held by the USA. 
]]> 2020-04-09 03:49:57 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499822260 Angel, Yu Xuan, Kirsten, Jordan, Lutfil, Xavier https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499953896 I can infer from source B that Khrushchev's trying to protect Cuba. I say this because source B shows a graph of the amount of missiles the USA and the USSR have. The US has 30000 missiles while the USSR has around 5000 missiles. This means that the USA could threaten to attack Cuba with their overwhelming amount of missiles they had created. Therefore, khrushchev had to put missiles in cuba to neutralise the threat from the USA to protect itself
Mr chiu's Comments
The highlighted part is spot on. The cuban missiles are meant to neutalise the numerical advantage that USA had over the SU at that time. So Cuba provides an effective  trigger for SU to get within striking distance of USA. ]]> 2020-04-09 06:49:19 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/499953896 Dan,Teerath,Mele,Yan Hong and Lu Yee :D https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/501456474 I can infer that Khrushchev  decided to place missiles in Cuba as the USA already had nuclear missives stationed in allies such as Turkey which were capable of hitting the USSR.Hence, the USA could exploit this to  force USSR to do things which were in favor of the USA such as stopping wars that might happen in the future.Hence,if the USSR has nuclear missiles that too were capable of hitting the USA, then it would even out their powers as the USA could no longer exploit the fact that they had missiles that could hit USSR which this neutralizes this threat for Khrushchev.

Mr chiu's comments
Excellent post as well. You have identified Turkey as the biggest threat against SU and indeed Khrushchev was unsettled by this strategic advantage that USA seemed to hold over SU. Can you elaborate more on the highlighted part?
 ]]> 2020-04-10 01:43:46 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/501456474 lol https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/581413350 okie dokie]]> 2020-05-19 02:42:04 UTC https://padlet.com/chiu_guo_vei1/w8oo89nto6w90dve/wish/581413350