Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Kennedy & Cuba > Did international relations improve?
Did international relations improve?
When the Soviets backed down, the missile crisis was effectively over. However, Kennedy told
his advisers that he did not want to give the press the impression that the United States had
triumphed over the Soviets. The world had come very close to nuclear war and, in future,
Kennedy was more cautious in his dealings with the Soviet Union.
In June 1963, both sides agreed to the creation of a hot line between the White House and the
Kremlin. This would avoid the communication difficulties that had occurred during the missile
crisis, when it had sometimes taken several hours for messages to be sent. From now on,
coded messages on issues of international security could be passed between the leaders
without delay.
Ten months after the crisis, which had clearly shown the dangers of nuclear confrontation, the
two superpowers and Britain signed a nuclear test ban treaty. This ruled out future testing of
nuclear weapons in the atmosphere and underwater. The test ban did not cover underground
testing. It represented the most significant improvement in international relations in a decade
and was later signed by many other countries.
A further consequence of the Cuban missile crisis was the removal of Khrushchev in October
1964. Hard-line generals within the Kremlin saw his climb-down over the missiles as a
humiliation. His enemies disliked his reforms and his personality (he had a reputation for
interrupting people at international meetings and shouting insults at them). Difficulties within
the USSR, most notably a serious harvest failure in 1963, also undermined Khrushchev's
position. Yet Khrushchev did promote the idea that Communist countries and capitalist
countries could coexist in peace.
Before the dismissal of Khrushchev and the death of Kennedy, there was a thaw in
international relations. However, Kennedy had already sent 15,000 military advisers to support
South Vietnam in its war with communist North Vietnam - the fight between the communist and
capitalist worldviews was not yet over.
Examine these sources to find out more:
Message from
Khrushchev, 1964
Kennedy's speech at the
American University, 1963
Photo of Castro and
Khrushchev, 1963
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Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Kennedy & Cuba > Did international relations improve?
Source 1
Message sent by Khrushchev to the British Prime Minister, 5 August 1964
(Catalogue ref: PREM 11/5123)
Questions
1. What does this source reveal about the change in international relations?
2. What problems remain in the relationship between the east and the west?
3. How long after this message was written did Khrushchev remain as Soviet leader?
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HEROES & VILLAINS
Kennedy & Cuba > Did international relations improve?
Source 1
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HEROES & VILLAINS
Kennedy & Cuba > Did international relations improve?
Source 2
Kennedy's speech at the American University, 10 June 1963
(Courtesy of the JF Kennedy Library and Museum)
2a
2b
2c
Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
What does Kennedy think the Russians ought to be praised for?
What does Kennedy think of communism?
What actions were being taken in pursuit of peace?
Kennedy was shot in November 1963. Given the tone of this speech, do you think the Cold
War would have continued had Kennedy lived? Explain your answer.
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HEROES & VILLAINS
Kennedy & Cuba > Did international relations improve?
Source 2a
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HEROES & VILLAINS
Kennedy & Cuba > Did international relations improve?
Source 2b
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HEROES & VILLAINS
Kennedy & Cuba > Did international relations improve?
Source 2c
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HEROES & VILLAINS
Kennedy & Cuba > Did international relations improve?
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HEROES & VILLAINS
Kennedy & Cuba > Did international relations improve?
Source 3
Photo of Castro and Khrushchev reviewing the May Day Parade in Red Square, Moscow,
1 May 1963
(Popperfoto CPL10062031)
Questions
1. What can you tell from this photo about the relationship between Castro and Khrushchev?
2. What is the relationship between Cuba and the USSR one year on from the missile crisis?
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Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Kennedy & Cuba > Did international relations improve?
Source 3
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