CMC- why were the missiles put there?

Criteria: has to realistic, and understandable with reasoning, answers must be full length, and
have to back up reasoning.
1. Since the Bay of Pigs invasion attempt, Castro considers Kennedy an enemy.
- In a world where muscle power defends your nation from being overthrown, it is easy to
see the Castro was covering his bases and protecting his country from threats that
America could potentially try.

2.

The US already has nuclear missiles in Italy and Turkey, so Khrushchev wants to restore the
balance of power.
- Again more muscle power to simply keep America from getting any bad ideas and
keeping the balance of nuclear power is a way of achieving that.

3. Khrushchev hopes the missiles in Cuba will put him in a stronger bargaining position on
other issues (like getting the USA out of Berlin).
-The missiles would even out the nuclear power and threats on the USSR and Khrushchev
would have more of a bargaining chip, and it might make the USA think through more of
their decisions.
4.

Khrushchev thinks Kennedy wont risk military action and possible nuclear war.
-Both sides didnt want to engage in war, because they knew that if that ever happened, it
would destroy everything, and ultimately was more of a defense, and for who would strike
first.