The Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis in October of 1962 was the closest the world ever came to nuclear war. It was a showdown between the United States and the Soviet Union, each side fearing what the other was capable of doing. For thirteen long days, everyone in America was extremely tense and nervous about what would happen. If even just one missile was launched at the United States by the Soviet Union, World War III would have started. Thankfully that never happened though. This paper will highlight the details of the Cuban Missile Crisis and explain exactly what happened with the event that almost escalated into nuclear war. First, let’s talk about the events that led up to the crisis. In January 1959, Fulgencio Batista, the brutal, American-backed Cuban
dictator, was overthrown by the guerrilla army of Fidel Castro. At that time, Dwight D. Eisenhower was president of the United States and his administration welcomed the new leader of Cuba, Fidel Castro. For America, Cuba provided a naval base at Guantanamo; it was an exotic, but conveniently close, tourist resort; and low paid Cuban labor made it an attractive investment area, much of the island's agriculture and industry being American-owned. So to protect American interests, the government of the United States always involved itself with Cuban affairs. Over time, Castro became too powerful and controlling over his island and would always harm American interests when trying to solve his own problems. It was clear that Castro was a communist and because of that, President Eisenhower ordered the CIA to eliminate him. The CIA launched several operations to try and overthrow Castro. The most well known operation was launched in 1961 called the Bay of Pigs. The CIA’s plan was to use a brigade of about 1,400 anti-Castro Cuban exiles and some of its own air force to invade the island, triggering mass risings and overthrowing Castro’s government. The operation was unsuccessful. Castro saw it coming and was prepared
dictator, was overthrown by the guerrilla army of Fidel Castro. At that time, Dwight D. Eisenhower was president of the United States and his administration welcomed the new leader of Cuba, Fidel Castro. For America, Cuba provided a naval base at Guantanamo; it was an exotic, but conveniently close, tourist resort; and low paid Cuban labor made it an attractive investment area, much of the island's agriculture and industry being American-owned. So to protect American interests, the government of the United States always involved itself with Cuban affairs. Over time, Castro became too powerful and controlling over his island and would always harm American interests when trying to solve his own problems. It was clear that Castro was a communist and because of that, President Eisenhower ordered the CIA to eliminate him. The CIA launched several operations to try and overthrow Castro. The most well known operation was launched in 1961 called the Bay of Pigs. The CIA’s plan was to use a brigade of about 1,400 anti-Castro Cuban exiles and some of its own air force to invade the island, triggering mass risings and overthrowing Castro’s government. The operation was unsuccessful. Castro saw it coming and was prepared