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Background - Cuba becomes pro-Communist
Fidel Castro overthrows Batista and Cuba becomes pro-Communist -
Background - Cuba receives arms from the USSR
For two years Cuba and the USA maintained a frosty relationship, but in 1960 Cuba starts to receive arms from the USSR and American spies know this. -
Background - USA-Cuba break up
The USA breaks diplomatic relations with Cuba. It becomes clear that the USA will no longer tolerate a Soviet satellite in the heart of its own 'Sphere of Influence'. -
Background - Bay of Pigs Fiasco
Kennedy supplies arms, equipment and transport for 1400 anti-Castro exiles to invade Cuba and overthrow him.
They are met by 20000 Cuban troops, which captured or killed them within days. -
The USSR announces it is supplying Cuba with arms
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Kennedy warns the USSR that he will prevent by any means Cuba from becoming an offensive military base
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U2 plane takes photos of the nuclear missiles in Cuba
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Kennedy announces a Blockade on Cuba
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Kennedy asks Khrushchev to withdraw the missiles from Cuba
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Khrushchev does not admit the presence of nuclear missiles on Cuba
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The blockade begins
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The USA takes photographies of the missiles from a U2 plane
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1st letter from Khrushchev to Kennedy
'The missiles in Cuba are purely deffensive... Lift up the blockade and we will withdraw the missiles' -
2nd Letter from Khrushchev to Kennedy
Khrushchev: 'Withdraw the missiles from Turkey and we will withdraw ours from Cuba' - Kennedy does not accept.
A U2 plane is shot in Cuba - Kennedy decides to delay an attack.
Kennedy lifts up the Blockade and threatens to attack if the USSR does not withdraw. -
Khrushcev withdraws the missiles from Cuba
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Outcome
Cuba stayed communist and highly armed.
Both leaders' reputation improved in their own countries.
A red phone connecting the White House to the Kremlin was set up.
The leaders signed a Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1963).