Cuban Missile Crisis

Definition

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a tense standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union in 1962 when the Soviets attempted to place nuclear missiles in Cuba. It was a critical moment during the Cold War that brought the world close to nuclear war.

Related terms

Nuclear Arms Race: This term refers to the competition between nations, particularly the United States and Soviet Union during the Cold War, to develop more powerful and advanced nuclear weapons.

Blockade: A blockade is an act of sealing off an area or preventing access to it. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, President Kennedy ordered a naval blockade around Cuba to prevent Soviet ships from delivering additional missiles.

Diplomacy: Diplomacy refers to the art of conducting negotiations and maintaining good relations between nations. In resolving the Cuban Missile Crisis, Kennedy engaged in diplomatic talks with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev instead of resorting to military action.