What this lesson teaches
I can judge how the Cold War played out in Korea and Cuba, as the superpowers competed and looked for allies.
Syllabus 8838, Theme I, Learning Outcomes. evaluate the manifestation of the Cold War conflict across different contexts over time
Make a guess
After coming close to nuclear war in 1962, what do you think the superpowers did?
- Agreed to end the nuclear arms race within a few years.
- Broke off contact to avoid misunderstandings.
- Set up a hotline and banned nuclear tests in the atmosphere.
Show the answer
Set up a hotline and banned nuclear tests in the atmosphere.
Both sides managed the rivalry more carefully. But the USSR also began a major build-up so it would never be outgunned again.
The crisis made both sides more careful about direct confrontation, but it also drove a Soviet arms build-up and strained alliances.
Both leaders had looked into the abyss of nuclear war. In 1963 they set up a hotline between Washington and Moscow. They also signed the Partial Test Ban Treaty, which banned nuclear tests in the atmosphere, in space and under water.
These steps began a period of more careful management of the rivalry, which later developed into detente. The superpowers avoided direct military confrontation for the rest of the Cold War.
But the USSR resolved never again to be so outgunned. It launched a major build-up of nuclear forces, reaching rough parity with the USA by the early 1970s. Khrushchev's colleagues removed him in October 1964, partly because of the humiliation over Cuba.
Alliances were strained. China condemned Khrushchev for adventurism in sending the missiles and then capitulation in removing them, deepening the Sino-Soviet split. Some NATO allies resented that the USA had made decisions with little consultation, and the Jupiters were quietly removed in 1963.
- Hotline
- Set up in 1963 between Washington and Moscow.
- Partial Test Ban Treaty
- 1963: no tests in the atmosphere, space or under water.
- Khrushchev removed
- October 1964.
Real examples to use
American University speech, 10 June 1963
Kennedy called for a fresh look at relations with the USSR, setting the tone for the test ban treaty.
Jupiters removed, April 1963
The missiles left Turkey quietly, keeping the secret part of the deal.
Non-Proliferation Treaty, 1968
The superpowers went on to cooperate in limiting the spread of nuclear weapons, part of the longer move towards detente.
Worked example: Judging the impact
Did the crisis make the Cold War safer?
- Yes: the hotline and test ban reduced the risk of miscalculation.
- Yes: both sides avoided direct confrontation afterwards.
- No: the Soviet build-up intensified the arms race.
- Judgement: safer in crisis management, but the rivalry continued in other forms.
Watch out for this
The Cuban Missile Crisis ended the arms race.
It led to some arms control, but the USSR then expanded its nuclear forces to reach parity, so the arms race continued.
Check your understanding
How did China react to the outcome of the crisis?
- It praised Khrushchev's caution and restraint.
- It sent its own missiles to Cuba to replace them.
- It condemned Khrushchev for adventurism and then capitulation.
Show the answer
It condemned Khrushchev for adventurism and then capitulation.
Right. The crisis deepened the Sino-Soviet split.