Table of Contents
What was the role of nuclear weapons in the Cold War?
During the Cold War, nuclear weapons were relied upon by the United States and its NATO allies to counter, or offset, the conventional advantage of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact. Nuclear weapons have thus served as a substitute for conventional forces.
What actions did Kennedy consider Khrushchev putting nuclear missiles on Cuba?
After many long and difficult meetings, Kennedy decided to place a naval blockade, or a ring of ships, around Cuba. The aim of this “quarantine,” as he called it, was to prevent the Soviets from bringing in more military supplies. He demanded the removal of the missiles already there and the destruction of the sites.
How did Khrushchev handle the Cuban Missile Crisis?
A Deal Ends the Standoff During the crisis, the Americans and Soviets had exchanged letters and other communications, and on October 26, Khrushchev sent a message to Kennedy in which he offered to remove the Cuban missiles in exchange for a promise by U.S. leaders not to invade Cuba.
What did president Khrushchev say about nuclear weapons?
The American president probably did not know what Khrushchev had said about his first nuclear weapons briefing a few years earlier: “I couldn’t sleep for several days. Then I became convinced that we could never possibly use these weapons, and when I realized that, I was able to sleep again.”
What was Eisenhowers national security policy during the Cold War?
Upon President Eisenhower’s inauguration in 1953, he inherited a national security policy that was imbedded in a Cold War strategy in which he believed required substantial improvement in order to be effective.
Who was the leader of the Soviet Union during the Cold War?
Dwight D. Eisenhower and Nikita Khrushchev, opposing leaders of the United States (U.S.) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) at the height of the Cold War in 1959, had reached an impasse.
When did Khrushchev come to the United States?
Khrushchev arrived in the United States on September 15, 1959, for an extended visit and summit with Eisenhower.