The Crisis Years: Kennedy and Khrushchev, 1960-1963

The election of John F. Kennedy as President of the United States in 1960 ushered in a new era in US-Soviet relations. Kennedy was young, charismatic, and eager to take a more aggressive approach towards the Soviet Union than his predecessor, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Nikita Khrushchev, the leader of the Soviet Union, was also a strong and determined leader. The two men were destined to clash, and the years 1960-1963 would be marked by a series of crises that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.

The Bay of Pigs Invasion (April 1961)

One of the first major crises of the Kennedy administration was the Bay of Pigs Invasion. In April 1961, a group of Cuban exiles, trained and armed by the CIA, launched an invasion of Cuba with the aim of overthrowing Fidel Castro's communist government. The invasion was a complete failure, and it resulted in the death of many of the exiles. The failure of the Bay of Pigs Invasion was a major embarrassment for Kennedy and it damaged his credibility at home and abroad.

The Crisis Years: Kennedy and Khrushchev, 1960–1963

by Michael R. Beschloss

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The Berlin Wall (August 1961)

In August 1961, the Soviet Union began constructing a wall between East and West Berlin. The wall was built to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West. The construction of the Berlin Wall was a major provocation and it led to a tense standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union. Kennedy responded to the construction of the wall by sending additional troops to Berlin and by ordering the US Air Force to fly reconnaissance missions over East Germany.

The Cuban Missile Crisis (October 1962)

The most dangerous crisis of the Kennedy administration was the Cuban Missile Crisis. In October 1962, the United States discovered that the Soviet Union was secretly building nuclear missile bases in Cuba. Kennedy ordered a naval blockade of Cuba and demanded that the Soviets remove the missiles. The world held its breath as the two superpowers came to the brink of nuclear war. After several tense days of negotiation, Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for a US pledge not to invade Cuba.

The Aftermath of the Crisis

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a turning point in US-Soviet relations. The crisis showed both sides the dangers of nuclear war and it led to a new era of détente, or relaxation of tensions. Kennedy and Khrushchev met in Vienna in June 1963 to sign the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which banned nuclear testing in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater.

The Assassination of Kennedy (November 1963)

In November 1963, Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. His death was a major shock to the world and it threw US-Soviet relations into turmoil. Khrushchev was deeply saddened by Kennedy's death and he sent a message of condolence to the American people. However, the assassination also raised concerns about the future of détente. Many feared that Khrushchev's successor, Leonid Brezhnev, would be less willing to cooperate with the United States.

The years 1960-1963 were a tumultuous period in US-Soviet relations. The two superpowers came to the brink of nuclear war on several occasions, but ultimately they were able to avoid a direct confrontation. The Cuban Missile Crisis was a major turning point in the Cold War and it led to a new era of détente. However, the assassination of Kennedy in 1963 cast a shadow over the future of US-Soviet relations.

The Crisis Years: Kennedy and Khrushchev, 1960–1963

by Michael R. Beschloss

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3019 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	764 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE