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the blockade
, President Kennedy decided on a blockade of Cuba by the U.S. Navy to prevent further shipments of military supplies to the island -
the announcement
Kennedy announced in a televised speech to the American public that the Soviets were installing nuclear missiles in Cuba. In his speech, Kennedy warned that “many months of sacrifice and self-discipline lie ahead, months in which both our patience and our will will be tested.” -
the Soviets responce
Khrushchev he blasted the U.S. quarantine of Cuba as a violation of international law. He also warned the United States that military aggression toward Cuba might lead to nuclear war. -
the quarantine
The U.S. naval quarantine went into effect October 24. Initially, Khrushchev ordered Soviet ships to race toward the quarantine line. The Soviets threatened to sink any U.S. vessel that tried to prevent their passage to Cuba. -
the retreat
, at least a dozen Soviet ships en route to Cuba turned back, but preparations at the missile sites on the island accelerated. -
Khrushchev's first letter
the first letter was an emotional appeal apparently composed by Khrushchev himself, calling on Kennedy to avoid the catastrophe of nuclear war. Khrushchev indicated that the Soviet Union would take its missiles out of Cuba in return for a U.S. pledge not to invade the island. -
the war???
Soviet forces shot down a U.S. reconnaissance flight over Cuba killing the pilot, Major Rudolf Anderson. . Meanwhile, ExComm received reports that the missiles in Cuba were about to become operational. -
Khrushchev's second letter
This letter took a much more hardline position, insisting that the United States remove its nuclear missiles from Turkey in return for a withdrawal of Soviet missiles from Cuba. -
Kennedy's response
the president offered to “give assurances against the invasion of Cuba” and to “remove promptly” the quarantine measures that were in effect. In return, Kennedy expected the Soviets to remove the missiles from Cuba under international observation and supervision. Kennedy also demanded safeguards to ensure that the Soviets would not place such weapons in Cuba again -
Khrushchev's Final Response
Premier Khrushchev chose to defuse the confrontation. In order to get the message as quickly as possible to President Kennedy, Khrushchev ordered that a message be broadcast by radio.