What was the main reason the Soviets placed missiles in Cuba?

The Soviet Union put missiles in Cuba for two primary reasons: (1) to boost the Soviet Union’s power, threatening the U.S. with nuclear attack from the Caribbean and (2) to bolster the Soviet Union’s bargaining position in its attempts to force West Berlin to join East Germany.

What was the Soviet Union’s rationale for placing nuclear weapons in Cuba?

Placing missiles on Cuba would give him a better negotiating position. Economics: Some historians have suggested that the decision to place missiles on Cuba would have reduced the overall cost of Soviet nuclear defences, allowing additional spending to be made in other areas.

How did the US learn about the missiles being in Cuba?

In October 1962, an American U-2 spy plane secretly photographed nuclear missile sites being built by the Soviet Union on the island of Cuba. President Kennedy did not want the Soviet Union and Cuba to know that he had discovered the missiles. He met in secret with his advisors for several days to discuss the problem.

Why did Cuba want to have nuclear weapons?

In early 1962, a Soviet delegation of military and missile construction specialists met with Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Castro was intrigued by the prospect of nuclear weapons for two reasons. First, it would be an irritant to the United States. Second, it would help guard Cuba against an attack from the United States.

Why did the Soviet Union put missiles on Cuba?

There was no one single reason why Khruschev made the decision to order missiles onto the island. It resulted from a number of different factors. Berlin: Khruschev wanted to secure the Soviet hold on Berlin. Placing missiles on Cuba would give him a better negotiating position.

What was the American response to the Soviet attack on Cuba?

The American response would perhaps be a like for like attack, or even a nuclear strike on Soviet territory, as Kennedy may have assumed a tactical nuclear strike was the first of many nuclear strikes on America.

Why did the US put missiles in Turkey?

Turkey: The US had missiles in Turkey, which borders the Soviet Union. Placing missiles in Cuba would restore the balance of power.