The Cuban Missle Crisis

During the Cold War, their was a time where nuclear war seemed inevitable. This was called the Cuban Missile Crisis. During this time, Russia knowing their missiles would never reach the U.S, placed land-based missiles in Cuba. Cuba is only a few hundred miles away from American beaches, leaving their medium ranged missiles in perfect range to launch an attack. This was allowed by Cuban dictator Fidel Castro because this was a perfect way to protect his island from a U.S. invasion. To confront this very lethal threat, President John F. Kennedy made a deal with Russia to remove all missiles and weapons in Cuba if The U.S. guaranteed not to attack Cuba and remove missiles from Turkey, which is relatively close to Russia. This was known as the hottest part of the Cold War because this was the closest eather side came to launching an offensive move.

NATO and the Warsaw Pact

After World War II and the collapse of Germany, The United States and The Soviet Union, once allies, bumped heads. The reason for the conflict was due to military advancements and governmental disputes. After the war, The U.S and The Soviet Union competed for technological superiority. These advancements lead to the mass production of nuclear weapons and to the creation of hydrogen bombs, a deadlier nuclear weapon. Reckognizing the powers of both sides, no weapons were actually fired. This is why this time was called the Cold War. Also, the opposing sides disagreed on veiws on government. The U.S. beleived in capitalism and democracy while Russia beleived in communism. Because the U.S. wants the world to be free and democratic, it formed NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Orginization. This was a treaty that stated that any member of NATO would be joined in arms if attacked by outside members. The pact included The U.S., Canada, and Western European countries including Great Britain. Six years later the Warsaw Pact was formed in Eastern Europe. This was formed in response to NATO by Russia with other eastern euopean countries.