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The Cuban Missile Crisis: Analyzing U-2 Photographs and Strategic Decisions

The Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 marked a pivotal moment in US-Soviet relations. U-2 reconnaissance flights revealed Soviet efforts to install 40 nuclear missiles in Cuba, contradicting their pledge to provide only non-nuclear defensive weapons. Amidst rising tensions over Berlin and fears of military escalation, President Kennedy convened the Executive Committee of the National Security Council (ExComm) to consider options for response. Ultimately, a naval blockade coupled with backdoor negotiations led to the USSR's agreement to remove the missiles in exchange for a US promise not to invade Cuba.

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The Cuban Missile Crisis: Analyzing U-2 Photographs and Strategic Decisions

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  1. The Cuban Missile Crisis

  2. U-2 Photographs • Soviets pledged Cuba would only receive non-nuke defensive weapons • October 14, 1962 – U-2 flight over Cuba disclosed Soviet efforts to install 40 nuclear missiles. • USSR went against US warnings of putting missiles in Cuba

  3. Motives for Missiles in Cuba??? • Soviet Intentions for Missiles unclear • Berlin • US Missiles/Weapons

  4. Negotiate for Berlin? • USSR threatening control of ALL OF BERLIN • Thousands of East Germans fled to West through Berlin • Berlin Wall in Aug. 1961- Kept East Germans on Soviet side • US feared USSR wanted to negotiate Berlin for taking down Cuban missiles

  5. US Weapons near USSR • USSR had more troops and non-nuke weapons in Europe than NATO • Jupiter missiles in Turkey to protect NATO members, but outdated by 1962 • Developed “Polaris submarine” which could carry Nuke missiles

  6. Back to Cuba • Question was not whether they should be removed but HOW • Kept the intelligence secret from the USSR at first – buy time to decide reaction

  7. ExComm

  8. ExComm • Oct. 16, 1962 - Kennedy called closest most trusted advisors to help him manage crisis • Executive Committee of the National Security Council = ExComm • They met to consider the options – 4 days came up with 3 choices

  9. 3 Options • Option 1: Peaceful Diplomacy • Option 2: Naval Blockade • Option 3: Air Strike of Missiles/Invade Cuba

  10. Outcome • Kennedy chooses a blockade and then backdoor negotiation • Military pushes for more aggressive actions • Ultimately • SU agrees to remove missiles immediately from Cuba • US promises not invade Cuba, SECRETLY will remove Jupiter missiles, but this info can not be leaked.

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