Question

The cartoon given below depicts a major crisis during the Cold War that pushed the world to the brink of a nuclear war in 1962. Study the cartoon carefully and answer the questions that follow.

1. Explain any two diplomatic measures that were taken to defuse this situation.  [2]
2. Discuss any two significant consequences that followed.  [2]

Answer 1

1. 1. Naval quarantine (blockade): Kennedy ordered US ships to surround Cuba and stop fresh Soviet ships with weapons. He declared a “quarantine” instead of a blockade to avert conflict. This allowed negotiations and showed US strength.
   2. Private negotiations and letters: Kennedy and Khrushchev communicated. This included back-channel negotiations, like Robert Kennedy seeing the Soviet ambassador. They settled. The soviets removed missiles from Cuba, the US committed not to invade Cuba, and the US missiles were covertly evacuated from Turkey.
2. 1. Hotline established: The Moscow–Washington hotline connects leaders from both nations. This helped avoid errors in future emergencies by communicating quickly.
   2. Start of better arms control: The nuclear war crisis alarmed everyone. It led to the 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (no air, space, or sea tests). It also marked the start of détente and US-Soviet discussions.