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Cuban Missile Crisis Key Decisions and Outcomes

These flashcards cover the pivotal 13-day standoff of October 1962, when US and Soviet nuclear arsenals nearly came to use. Essential for AP US History, AP World History, and college-level Cold War courses, they break down the key actors, decision points, and diplomatic resolutions that defined the era of superpower brinkmanship.

Interactive Deck

5 Cards
1
Front

What triggered the Cuban Missile Crisis?

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1
Back

Soviet missiles in Cuba: U-2 spy plane photos on October 14, 1962 revealed Soviet nuclear missile sites under construction in Cuba, just 90 miles from Florida.

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Front

ExComm

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2
Back

Executive Committee of the NSC: Kennedy's secret 13-member advisory group that debated response options — from air strikes to naval blockade — during the 13-day crisis.

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Front

What was the naval quarantine?

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3
Back

Blockade by another name: Kennedy chose a naval blockade (called 'quarantine' to avoid legally declaring war) to intercept Soviet ships carrying more missiles to Cuba.

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Locked

How was the Cuban Missile Crisis resolved?

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Locked

Hotline Agreement 1963

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many days did the Cuban Missile Crisis last?

The crisis lasted 13 days, from October 16 to October 28, 1962. Kennedy was briefed on the missiles on October 16, and Khrushchev publicly agreed to remove them on October 28.

What is the difference between a blockade and a quarantine?

A blockade is an act of war under international law. Kennedy's advisers used the term quarantine instead to intercept Soviet ships without legally declaring war on the Soviet Union.

Why is the Cuban Missile Crisis important in Cold War history?

It is widely considered the closest the superpowers came to nuclear war. The crisis directly led to the 1963 Hotline Agreement and Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, reshaping US–Soviet arms control diplomacy.