The Consequences of The Cuban Missile Crisis

·         The immediate consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis:

o   The first consequence of the CMC was the reduction in Khrushchev’s authority. Because the removal of nuclear weapons from Turkey remained a secret it seemed as if the USSR had backed down and betrayed Cuba.

o   The CMC also highlighted the fragility of international peace and the difficulties of negotiations between Russia and America in crisis situations. Therefore they both agreed the implementation of the following:

§  The HOTLINE: In June 1963, a direct communications link was set up between the American President in Washington and Russian Premier in Moscow.

§  The LIMITED TEST BAN TREATY: In August 1963, the USA and USSR agreed to ban the testing of all nuclear weapons in space, in the sea and above ground. Underground tests were still permitted.

o   President Kennedy signalled his commitment to working with the USSR in a speech in June 1963, in which he argued that both superpowers needed to focus on their common interests. This speech was the beginning of a policy known as ‘détente.’ This is a relaxing of tensions in the relationship between the USA and the USSR. Initially, moves to détente were slow but détente became a key feature of superpower relations during the 1970’s.

·         The long-term consequences of the CMC:

o   The leaders of the Soviet Union were determined never again to be pushed around by America. Therefore, the Soviet government made every effort to catch up in the Arms Race. By 1965, America and the USSR were on equal footing in terms of their nuclear capability. This created greater stability in the relationship between the two superpowers. American and Russian leaders realised that any nuclear war was going to destroy both countries and therefore this was known as the doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), giving both countries excellent reason to avoid war.

o   As well as this, France decided to leave the NATO. In the event of a nuclear war between the USA and USSR, the members of the NATO would be obliged to fight alongside America. French President Charles de Gaulle was appalled at the thought that France would be destroyed by this. Therefore in 1966, France ended its military alliance with America and began to develop its own nuclear missiles.