[Zara]

I was wondering if any one could help me find more sources of evidence on the Berline Crisis (1948) and the Cuban Crisis(1962), because i'm trying to answer the question 'Which one was more likely to lead to a nuclear war?'.
I know you can't answer it for me, afterall it is my own opinion, but any in-depth websites or possibly your own ideas(opinions) would help...
Many thanks,
Zara.

[Mr Field]

I would suggest looking at the sources available on the Learning Curve website at http://learningcurve.../G5/default.htm

You can get a summary of the Berlin Crisis at http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/lessons/col...r_blockade.html and the Cuban Missile Crisis at http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/lessons/col...ldwar_cuba.html

I would suggest looking through those materials and note down your own ideas - examine the relations between the two superpowers - which came closer to war actually breaking out?

[Gia]

I have to explain the importance of the cuban missile crisis in the style of exam question for 6 marks. I think I'm reading too much into it because I dont know how to expand on my points, which are:

- Nuclear war was avoided and threat reduced
- Anti-castro policy
-Cold war
- Kennedy's leadership
-USSR made to get rid of missiles
- Cuba's closeness to USA.

How can I expand my answer futher?

[Mr Field]

I think you have done very well to cover the key aspects. One area I would suggest you develop further is how the Cuban Missile Crisis marked the 'hottest point' of the cold war. Both America and the USSR realised how close they came to nuclear war so a new determination to ensure better relations was seen.

Have a look at this diagram - http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/lessons/col...ldwar_cuba.html

Quote

Major propaganda victory for the USA - they looked to have 'won'.
As the compromise was secret, Khruschev appeared to have backed down.
Both sides began seeking ways of improving relations e.g. a hotline was set up providing immediate contact.

For a six mark question, use the points you have and then try and make a general statement about the overall impact. You are doing the right thing!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/...5cubarev1.shtml

[A Finemess]

Quote

how the Cuban Missile Crisis marked the 'hottest point' of the cold war

If I might add a bit of personal oral history here ...

As a lad of about 11. I have a very clear memory of myself and my school pals in our primary school playground not playing football. This was unheard of. The reason? We were too busy deciding whether we would be around next day. This was the day Russian ships were due to pass the quarantine line set up around Cuba by the USA.

[fizzytink]

I have some classwork to finsish off but im realy confused with this topic.
The question was "How did the Cuban Missile Crisis affect the relationship between Russia and America" we have to wirte 3 paragraphs.
i think that 1 of them is the fact that The u2 plane got shot down after spying on missile bases
The 2nd mite be The fact that usa blockaded cuba
The third one is that khrushchev demanded that russia will only remove missiles from cuba if america removes theirs from Turkey but america didnt agree.

However there is also another one : The fact that kennedy decided to secretly let khrushchev know that if the mssiles are not removed. he would invade cuba

Which one is more important?

[MrJohnDClare]

Same basic essay as last time!!!
Just a different topic.
Check out this page for a list of results - http://www.johndclar.../cold_war16.htm

[fizzytink]

I was just wandering, on the johndclare website, it stated the causes. are these the ways the crisis affcted he relationship, or is it comepletely differnet

[MrJohnDClare]

No, the results - at the end.

[bobblepus]

Does anyone know anything that suggests neither Kennedy nor Khrushchev wanted to risk or provoke more conflict?

[MrJohnDClare]

Both sides had had a fright. They were more careful in future. The two leaders set up a telephone ‘hotline’ to talk directly in a crisis.

In 1963, they agreed a Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Cuba was the start of the end of the Cold War.

Cuba remained a Communist dictatorship, but America left it alone.

Kennedy did not publicly agree to dismantle missile bases in Turkey. In a secret telephone call, he told Khrushchev that – while he couldn’t agree to dismantle Turkish bases in a ‘tit-for-tat’ agreement – the USA did not see any need for them and that they would be dismantled soon.

[bobblepus]

MrJohnDClare, on Jul 26 2007, 07:30 PM, said:

Both sides had had a fright. They were more careful in future. The two leaders set up a telephone ‘hotline’ to talk directly in a crisis.

In 1963, they agreed a Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Cuba was the start of the end of the Cold War.

Cuba remained a Communist dictatorship, but America left it alone.

Kennedy did not publicly agree to dismantle missile bases in Turkey. In a secret telephone call, he told Khrushchev that – while he couldn’t agree to dismantle Turkish bases in a ‘tit-for-tat’ agreement – the USA did not see any need for them and that they would be dismantled soon.

Thankyou that was very helpful