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Fidel Castro Takes Power in Cuba
On this date, Fidel Castro was appointed Prime Minister of Cuba. Although the Prime Minister in itself could not wield as much power as Castro would eventually come to wield, he remedied that by only taking to position under the condition that his executive power be greatly increased. He then began appointing himself different roles within Cuban government, stripping Cuba's legislature of power. -
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Cuban Missile Crisis
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Cuba and the Soviet Union Create Strong Economic Ties
After ousting his enemies from government and forcing thousands to flee Cuba, Castro was able to establish himself as dictator of a Communist system of government. The Soviet Union saw the value in forming alliances with a Communist state only 90 miles from the US Coast and quickly jumped at the chance to draft several documents tying diplomatic and economic agreements between the two countries. -
US Cuts Diplomatic Ties with Cuba
In response to Cuba's allignment with the Soviet Union, the United States cut all diplomatic and economic ties with the small nation. This included an end to aid and trade as well as measures to limit the degree to which the international community could supply Castro's state with arms. -
Disagreement over Guantanamo Bay
As today, the United States held military installations in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the 1950's and 1960's. Following the cutting of diplomatic ties with Cuba, Castro demanded that the United States remove all military personell from the area and that Guantanamo Bay return to Cuban sovereignty. The Soviet government also supported Cuba's argument over the return of Guantanamo Bay to the Cuban government. -
Failed Assassination Attempt on Castro
Following the increase of icy relations, arguments over Guantanamo Bay, and an increased Cuban loyalty to the USSR, the American government conducted its first assassination attempt on Fidel Castro. The CIA attempted to inject poison into a box of Castro's cigars but failed when the poisoned items were confiscated by the Cuban government. This would be the first in a long string of failed assassination attempts on the Cuban dictator. -
Soviet Arms Begin Arriving in Cuba
In early September of 1960, the USSR began delivering Soviet made weapons to Cuba with the intent of eventually making Cuba a military installation. This move served to dramatically increase tension between the United States and Cuba. -
John F. Kennedy Becomes President
On this date, JFK became president of the United States. Following the hard-nosed foreign relations policies of President Eisenhower, many hoped that JFK would be more suitable to finding diplomatic solutions for many Cold War problems. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
On this date, the CIA orchestrated one of the largest military blunders in US history. Working closely with Cuban resistance forces, the CIA had promised that American troops would be sent to Cuba to overthrow the government in a joint maneuver with Cuban resistance. However, just hours before the invasion, President Kennedy refused to allow US troops to be part of the operation. Although the Cuban resistance forces had some small US air support, they were unable to secure objectives. -
"Prospects of war very real."
On this date, meetings between Kennedy and Kruschev concluded in Vienna. Krushcev threatened to cut Western access to West Berlin; a move, which Kennedy felt would make war a likely outcome of the increased tensions. -
Construction of the Berlin Wall
On this date, the Berlin Wall was completed, dividing East and West Berlin. Early August of 1961 had been marked by extremely high tensions between the US and USSR over the Berlin situation. -
Arms Build Up in Cuba
US military reconnaissence finds that Cuba has a significant number of Soviet made jets that are capable of striking the US mainland. Additionally, the US found that Cuba had a number of rocket platforms that may be able to deliver a payload to certain US military installations. -
Kruschev Plans to put Missiles in Cuba
In late April of 1962, US missile installations in Turkey became active. In response, Kruschev develops the plan to place missile installations in Cuba. -
Cuba Accepts Missiles
After deliberating with other Cuban leaders, Castro and his government formally accepts Castro's proposal to place missiles in Cuba that would be capable of striking the United States. -
Missiles Leave for Cuba
On this date, the first shipment of Soviet missiles to Cuba begins its travel. -
Kennedy Receives Memorandum
On August 10th, Kennedy received a memorandum from his top military advisors that there is evidence to suggest that the Soviet Union is actively shipping missiles to Cuba. -
Aggressive Action Plan
After receiving intelligence that suggests that Cuba has now received missiles capable of striking the United States. Kennedy receives a memo suggesting that Castro can no longer be overthrown by any means other than full-scale US invasion. Kennedy plans to pursue aggresive action against Cuba. -
U2 Recon
In late August of 1962, a U2 spy plane spotted the first confirmed missile base in Cuba. -
"Only Defensive Weapons"
Upon assertions by the US that Soviet arms build ups in Cuba may be suggested of an imminent Soviet attack, the Soviet Ambassador to America stated that the surface to air missiles in Cuba were for defensive purposes only. -
Military Action Approved
On September 20th, the US Senate approved measures for military action against Cuba if it were deemed necessary by the president and his military advisors. -
Invasion Ready
The US military is put on ready to be prepared for what may be an imminent US invasion of Cuba. -
Extensive Missile Program
New U2 Recon photos indicate that the missile program in Cuba is more extensive than previously believed. -
Kennedy Organizes ExComm
Upon receiving the intel showing that the Cuban missile program is more extensive than previously thought, Kennedy immediately requests a meeting with his most trusted officials. The Executive Committee on National Security (ExComm) then meets for the first time to discuss what should be done given these recent developments. -
Ongoing Debates and Findings
Throughout the week, ExComm continually meets to debate between a blockade of Cuban ports and surgical airstrikes against the missile bases. More recon findings show that nuclear warheads are likely on the island. B-52's at airforce stations are put on 24/7 alert. -
Kennedy Addresses the Nation
Kennedy addresses the nation for the first time about missile installations in Cuba. He states that the first step the US will take is a "quarantine" of the missile locations. He also warns the Soviet Union that if a missile is launched by Cuba, it will be deemed by the United States as a Soviet act of war and will ellicit an immediate response. -
Kruschev warns Kennedy, Kennedy doesn't Back Off
Following Kennedy's statement that the US plans to quaranting and blockade Cuba, Kruschev warns that doing so would only worsen tensions and could result in hostilities. Kennedy responds only by re-iterating his plans to implement a blockade on Cuba, Meanwhile, the Cuban army is placed on high alert. -
Blockade Begins
The American blockade of Cuba begins. Kruschev warns that he views the blockade as an act of aggression. -
Seizing Ships
The US blockade begins detaining ships that are heading for Cuba regardless of nation of origin. -
Kennedy's Plan
Realizing that a blockade alone will not solve the problem, Kennedy begins to plan for an invasion. He convinces the Brazilian ambassador to Cuba to deliver a message to Castro warning of invasion if the missiles are not removed. -
Turkey Missile Plan
On this day, a U2 pilot was shot down over Cuba and killed. As the situation began to deteriorate even more, Kennedy offered Kruschev the following proposal: In return for removing all Soviet missiles from Cuba, the US will remove its missiles from Turkey. -
Kruschev Accepts Kennedy's Proposal
Kruschev accepts Kennedy's plan to remove Cuban missiles if the US remove missiles in Turkey. Kruschev did not consult Castro on this decision who expressed much dismay. -
Missile Removal Begins
In November of 1962, missile removal begins in Cuba and Turkey. The US blockade is slowly removed and recon flights are scaled back to the level they were before the crisis began. Catastrophe averted.
