Who is more responsible for the escalation of the cold war in cuba?

History · High School · Tue Nov 03 2020

Answered on

The escalation of the Cold War in Cuba can be attributed to a combination of actions and decisions by both the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. It's important to note that the responsibility for the escalation is not solely on one side, but rather the result of a complex interplay of geopolitical factors. Here are key points related to each side's involvement:

United States:

1.Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961): The U.S. supported an unsuccessful attempt by Cuban exiles to overthrow Fidel Castro's government in Cuba. While this event preceded the Cuban Missile Crisis, it created tensions and a sense of hostility between the U.S. and Cuba.

2.Missile Deployment in Turkey: The United States had deployed Jupiter ballistic missiles in Turkey, near the Soviet Union's borders. This was seen by the Soviet Union as a provocative move and influenced their decision to deploy missiles in Cuba as a strategic response.

3.Naval Blockade: In response to the discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba, President John F. Kennedy ordered a naval blockade (termed a "quarantine") of Cuba. This action increased tensions between the two superpowers.

4.Soviet Union:

  1. Missile Deployment in Cuba: The Soviet Union, under Premier Nikita Khrushchev, deployed nuclear missiles in Cuba without informing the United States in advance. This move significantly heightened the risk of a nuclear confrontation.
  2. Strategic Considerations: The Soviet decision to place missiles in Cuba was partly driven by strategic considerations. They perceived the deployment of U.S. missiles in Turkey as a threat and sought to establish a balance of power.
  3. Lack of Communication: The Soviet Union's failure to effectively communicate its intentions to the U.S. during the initial stages of the crisis contributed to misunderstandings and increased the risk of military confrontation.

In summary, both the United States and the Soviet Union played roles in the escalation of the Cold War in Cuba. The deployment of missiles by the Soviet Union in Cuba and the U.S. response with a naval blockade were pivotal moments that brought the superpowers to the brink of nuclear conflict. The resolution of the crisis, marked by negotiations and concessions on both sides, helped avoid a direct military confrontation and contributed to a thawing of tensions in subsequent years.