1) Describe how relations between the superpowers worsened between 1959 and the summer of 1962.

History coursework draft

Describe how relations between the superpowers worsened between 1959 and the summer of 1962.

The allies were divided after defeating Germany and the relationship between superpowers worsened between 1959 and 1962. These two nations became the superpowers because they had greater military and economic resources than anyone else. They had tried to embarrass, humiliate and defeat each other in everything including sport, foreign aid, TV and the arms race.

During 1945 to 1962, many events had contributed to the Cuba crisis such as the American use of the A.bomb in Japan and the misunderstanding in Germany, including the Berlin Blockade, rigged elections in East Europe etc… Khrushchev had many of his own problems and was under pressure to gain supporters. He needed to convince the Chinese and enemies in his own country that Russia was a match for America.

In 1957 the Russians had moved ahead in the space race when they launched the Sputnik. This had worried the Americans. However, in 1961, Russia was able to send Yuri Gagarin into space and bring him back again. The Americans were now terrified. Everyone was afraid of the arms race, some protest groups were formed in Britain but it was impossible to protest in USSR without such freedom and equally difficult in the USA in the early days of McCarthy. Both sides had the H.bomb and there had been numerous clashes abroad, including the Korean War and the Russian invasion of Hungary and Poland in 1956.

An extra problem was introduced in 1959 when Castro seized Cuba.In 1959, America had made their first mistake by withdrawing support from Cuba, when Castro defeated Batista. Castro signed trade agreements with Russia knowing that by supporting the Russians, he will be protected from American invasion. In October 1962, American Aerial photos revealed I.R.B.M’s; if they had nuclear warheads they could attack every American city within 2,500 miles.

Relations had worsened between American and Russia.

Khrushchev ordered the building of the Berlin wall and Kennedy’s support for the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 ended in humiliation. The dramatic ending to the Paris Peace summit in May 1960 had already embarrassed the USA.

Worse followed, as in October 1962, America spy planes photographed missiles silos on Cuba. It was just 90 miles from the Florida coast. Every American city within 2000 mile was in danger. It was urgent that the Americans found a ways to remove the missiles.

Therefore, between 1959 and summer of 1962, there had ...

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Relations had worsened between American and Russia.

Therefore, between 1959 and summer of 1962, there had been many incidences that had caused the relationship between the superpowers to worsen. But a whole catalogue of events from 1945 forwards had contributed to the problem.

425 Words

2) Why did a crisis develop in 1962 about Cuba?

The tensions between the two superpowers, America and Russia, had been gradually rising from 1945 up to 1962. The main races going on are the arms race and space race. There was also the rivalry between the leaders in America and Russia.

In 1959, Castro takes over Cuba and the Americans did not handle this very well as they refused to buy the sugar crop Cuba had. They had tried to use the “economic weapon” to destroy Castro.

However, America failed because Castro seized America’s assets and turned to Russia for help. Therefore the countries who where already against each other had yet another reason for the races and tensions between them to rise even higher and develop into a crises.

This was a great opportunity for Khrushchev as the trade agreements followed in the mid-1962; Russian missiles and technicians arrived on Cuba. Many tensions arose between America and Russia; Khrushchev always got the better of the Americans wins propaganda advantage. For example, in 1957, Sputnik successfully landed. This had frightening implications for weapons technology. The Americans feared that Russia could target American cities with missiles. However, Gagarin successfully returned from space in 1961, the Americans seemed to be trailing behind.

The Americans were humiliated again at the Peace Summit in Paris which Khrushchev offered in May 1960. Khrushchev demanded an apology for the U2 spy plan which America had sent over. The Russians walked out on the summit so it had failed and the tensions keep rising. The Bay of Pigs invasion in April 1961 and the building of the Blockade wall in August 1961 had embarrassed Kennedy yet again. All these tensions are relevant to the Cuba Crises because they brought the superpowers into conflict over Cuba and neither side dared back down.

To escape from this situation Kennedy must act to remove the missiles that are placed only 90 miles from Florida coast. An air attack could kill Russian technicians and cause war. A blockade might cause war but seems the best solution is that both sides realising they must step back from the brink of nuclear war.

351 words

3) In what ways did the Cuban Missile Crises change relations between the superpowers?

The Cuban Missile Crises changed relations between the superpowers in several ways. The Cuba crisis had a huge impact on the world leaders and particularly on Khrushchev and Kennedy as they were so close to a nuclear war caused by clash of ego, rivalry, fear, massive nuclear weapons development, political differences and many more reasons.

By the late 1960’s, both sides had developed terrifying weapons of mass destruction, these we the Anti Ballistic Missiles and the Multiple Independently Targeted Re-entry Vehicles. America’s MIRVS had increased their power and frightened the Russians as they out paced them so fast. Brezhnev realised he had to solve Russia’s economic problems and the only way he could was if the tensions between the two countries decreased so that fiancé could be diverted away from the weapons programme. Brezhnev announced that he would like to begin Arms Limitation talks and a joint statement was to be released on August 21st 1968. However, America cancelled the talks as on August 20th, Warsaw Pact forces crushed Czechoslovakia’s attempts to introduce reforms and arrest Dubcek. In 1969 was the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Nixon who was now the president of USA was determined to end American involvement in Vietnam. Therefore he would have to persuade the Russians and the Chinese to stop supplying the Vietcong. After 3 years of negotiations, Nixon had still refused to discuss the MIRV’s as he still wanted America to be ahead in the Arms Race. There was a big step forward in 1972 when Nixon officially recognised the Communist Chinese Government and agreed to them joining the United Nations as this had frightened the Russians. They feared America and China will combine their forces against them so they will be even more powerful.

After signing the SALT 1 Interim Agreement and an ABM Treaty, they also signed a Trade Agreement and encouraged sporting and cultural links, both countries continued to build nuclear weapons. Brezhnev had made a Programme for Peace 1972 when the East Germans were allowed more freedom. In 1975, 35 countries had signed he Helsinki Agreement. This made USA recognise the Russian dominance in Eastern Europe. Each side agreed to advise other of military exercises and allow them to send observers. Although discussions were delayed because in 1975 Jimmy Carter became had the new American President and tried to pressurise Russia into improving conditions for Russian dissidents. He insisted that SALT talks were to be liked with Human Rights. However, in 1979, SALT 2 Agreement was ready to be signed when Russia invaded Afghanistan. So the detent was over.

The Detent was an uneven process, it showed progress and regress. There was a clash of values about Human Rights. But detent prevented a massive disaster from happening.

456 words

1,232 words in total