There were many key factors contributing to the Cuban Missile Crisis including international tension. In particular the events that unfolded in Europe in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s and particular events that unfolded in Cuba. Even though the USA and the USSR were apparently in a period of relation this was seen as wishful thinking when it came to the events of the Cuban Missile Crisis. It was obvious that the arms race was still at it’s peak. Both sides were enthralled in the game of brinkmanship which could have ended in a nuclear Arma

One way to a peaceful solution was to discuss the matter at a United Nations conference, however this had already proven useless. Castro had ............. earlier to the UN with most nations backing the US. On the 25th October Krushchev was asked about his missiles in Cuba, to this he refused to answer.

Castro was a 24 year old law graduate with a high desire to reform Cuba and fre eher from USA control. Castro attempted to seize power through the conventional channels but when Batista put an end to free elections this was no longer an option for Castro. He decided to take to the hills and engaged in a seven year guerilla war against Batista and his supporters. He was assisted by the Argentinian Communist Revolutionary Che Guevera. Batista’s government collapsed in 1959 leaving Fidel Castro in control of the island. Cuba was now free, they were no longer under foreign control. Most Cubans supported Castro. 75% of farmland was owned by foreigners as well as most Companies and 2 million acres of land, the oil refineries and electricity companies were also under USA control.

If Krushchev had not backed down in Cuba Kennedy's only remaining decision would have been to invade. The plan had already been worked out titled Operation Mongoose. US Intelligence told Kennedy that inside Cuba were 10,000 Soviet troops and 100,000 men under Castro's control. If an invasion was to occur the US planned to fly 1080 airstrikes to weaken the Cuban defences. After the airstrikes 180,000 troops would follow stright up with a ground invasion.

The peace of the world had now been threatened. It was hoped that the Cuban missile crisis would be .............. as a local difficulty. Now Krushchev had linked Cuba to Europe and the cold war, now the world was on the edge of catastrophe. Kennedy believed that if the US missiles were removed from Turkey it would undermine all of the NATO countries. It was now far more difficult for Kennedy to find an acceptable solution.

Some topics in this essay:
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