Why did the Cuban Missile Crisis not become a Nuclear War?
Backchannel diplomacy and compromises about missiles in Europe; 2 MAD; 3 Luck - low level Soviet officer not initiating attacks; 4 Soviet and Khrushchev's fear of U.S deterrent and blockade
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Why did the Soviets put missiles in Cuba?
1 Cold War politics (prove power; 2Cuban Defence (exclusively to improve Cuba's defensive capacity and prevent active U.S intervention); 3 Berlin win, trade or trap; 4Missile power (strategic balance of power by moving to closer location to U.S)
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Was the placing of missiles in Cuba without provocation?
No, Soviets were facing the threat of missiles in Italy and Turkey
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Were the missiles offensive?
No, they were not even fully operational when sent to Cuba. But, became offensive once operational.
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Who escalated nuclear rivalry?
Both parties are responsible. Escalation was a result of various misconceptions. Both saw each other missiles as offensive but neither were meant as such
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Did Kennedy have "no choice" but to put a blockade/quarantine?
Politically, he had to take action, but strategically, blockade/quarantine was the best/safest option
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Was is illegal to place missiles in Cuba?
Not illegal because Cuba had requested for the placement of the missiles. However, the blockade was not legal.
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Why did the Soviets put missiles in Cuba?
Back
1 Cold War politics (prove power; 2Cuban Defence (exclusively to improve Cuba's defensive capacity and prevent active U.S intervention); 3 Berlin win, trade or trap; 4Missile power (strategic balance of power by moving to closer location to U.S)
Card 3
Front
Was the placing of missiles in Cuba without provocation?
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