Who was the 'Victor' in the CMC?

Course of Resolution of CMC

Khrushchev's first appeal for peace

• Realised having missiles in Cuba only increased the chances of a strike from USA, not protect Cuba from USA
  • Privately appealed to withdraw missiles in exchange for USA's promise to not attack Cuba
  • However, Castro threatened to shoot down US spy planes
  • Missile sites still being build

Khrushchev's second appeal for peace

• Asked for removal of missiles in Turkey in exchange for removal of missiles from Cuba
• Castro still prepared for war
  • Wrote letter to Khrushchev, arguing for first strike against USA

Impact of U-2 spy plane incident

• Soviet troops ordered not to use missiles without permission
• Soviet forces shot down a US U-2 spy plane
  • Brought up concerns of lack of direct control over military

Now both leaders wanted to reach an agreement ASAP

Khrushchev accepts Kennedy's deal (28 Oct)

• Khrushchev faced a war-hungry Castro, afraid he might make rash decisions and ruin negotiations
• Khrushchev accepted deal and removed missiles in Cuba, USA removed missiles in Turkey

Khrushchev removes all missiles

• Originally only removed long-range missiles, as short-range missiles were not part of the agreement
• Castro angry at USSR's response, still aggressive about attacking USA
• Removed the rest of the missiles as they were a threat in Castro's hands

Factors Leading to the Resolution of CMC

Cooperation between Kennedy and Khrushchev

• CMC peacefully resolved and did not lead to full scale nuclear war
  • Time allowed on both sides to cool down and consider their responses
  • Both leaders were aware of impacts of nuclear war
  • Both leaders understood each other's personal concerns

International and Public Opinions

International Opinions

• Europeans felt USA overreacted as they lived near nuclear missiles for over a year
• CN and Cuba ready to support USSR in invasion of USA

Public Opinions

• American citizens urged Kennedy to be careful in handling the crisis as they were scared they could all be killed
• Soviet public viewed it as just another possible war

Aftermath of the Crisis

Implications for USA, USSR and Cuba

USA

• Kennedy seen as courageous for standing up against Khrushchev
• US allies unhappy about Turkish missiles' removal
• Kennedy had to accept a communist state very close to USA

USSR

• Khrushchev seen as weak in dealing with USA
• Cuba felt betrayed as they were not part of negotiation
• Relations with CN broke down
• Missile threat in Turkey removed

Cuba

• Castro seen as hero for standing up against USA
• Still an ally of USSR
• Lost nuclear protection but safe from possible US invasion

Establishment of Moscow-Washington Hot Line

• Both leaders realised that the lack of direct and confidential communication line led to an escalation of tensions
• Necessary to have reliable and quick method of communication to know each others' intentions instead of guessing

Moscow-Washington Hot Line established for a direct line of communications between superpowers

First steps towards nuclear disarmament

• Kennedy and Khrushchev wanted to limit development of nuclear weapons
  • Signed Limited Test Ban Treaty, prohibiting testing of nuclear weapons except underground tests
    • Slow down the arm race
    • Limit radiation fallout on Earth's atmosphere