“Our Goal Is Not the Victory of Might, but the Vindication of Right” – the Cuban Missile Crisis

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union over the placement of American ballistic missile in Italy and Turkey with consequent Soviet ballistic missile deployment in Cuba. This event which took place within October 16-28, 1962 during the Cold War nearly escalated into a full-blown nuclear war. In memory of this event, we will take on the Cuban Missile Crisis from the beginning until its peak, aftermath, and cultural references.

The Bay of Pigs Invasion

The Bay of Pigs Invasion led to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. It was a failed military invasion by the U.S.-led government of John F. Kennedy to overthrow Cuban Prime Minister, Fidel Castro’s regime.

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(Photo credit MIGUEL VINAS/AFP/Getty Images)

This would have been a catastrophe to Castro’s communist cause if it had been successful. The US imposed a ban on the introduction of offensive weapons into Cuba and continued secret operations against Castro’s government.

In 1962, the United States also had nuclear missiles deployed in Italy and Turkey against the Soviet Union, whose capital Moscow was within range. Cuba strengthened ties with the Soviet Union to prevent future invasion attempt. In the late summer of 1962, the Soviet Union began the deployment of ballistic missiles in Cuba. These developments contributed to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

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