The Cuban Missile Crisis
The most dangerous moment of the Cold War: Soviet missiles on Cuba in 1962, the naval blockade of Kennedy, the thirteen days on the edge of nuclear war, and the deal that ended it.
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The Cuban Missile Crisis 🚀
Cuba became communist under Fidel Castro, and after a failed American-backed invasion at the Bay of Pigs, it turned to the USSR. In 1962 Khrushchev placed nuclear missiles on Cuba within range of the USA. For thirteen days in October the world stood on the edge of nuclear war.
Words for the crisis 🔑
Learn these four terms before you judge the crisis.
The two sides 🆚
Each superpower acted to protect its position over Cuba.
Grade 9 thinking 💡
To reach the top grades, assess how dangerous the crisis was, and weigh what the USA gained against what the USSR gained in the secret deal.
Match the name to what it was 🔗
- Fidel Castro
- the Bay of Pigs
- the naval blockade
- Turkey
- the communist leader of Cuba
- the failed American-backed invasion of Cuba
- the US ring of ships around Cuba
- where the USA secretly removed its own missiles
Match the term to its meaning 🧩
- blockade
- detente
- hotline
- Cold War
- cutting off supplies by surrounding a place
- an easing of tension between rivals
- a direct telephone link between leaders
- a rivalry of tension without direct war
Why the crisis? ❓
Why did the Cuban Missile Crisis happen?
- The USSR placed nuclear missiles on Cuba within range of the USA.
- The USA blocked all trade with Europe.
- The USSR built a wall across Cuba.
The deal that ended it ✅
Select the TWO parts of the deal that ended the crisis.
- The USSR removed its missiles from Cuba.
- The USA promised not to invade Cuba.
- The USA invaded the USSR.
- A wall was built across Cuba.
Order the crisis 🪜
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Summarise the crisis 📝
Cuba became communist under _____. In 1962 the USSR placed nuclear _____ on the island. Kennedy set up a naval _____, and after thirteen days _____ agreed to remove them. The USA secretly removed its own missiles from _____.
Count the days 🔢
An interactive activity.
Spot the two results 🖍️
An interactive activity.
A US or a Soviet move? 🧭
An interactive activity.
Assess the crisis ✍️
An interactive activity.