The world has never been closer to nuclear war than it was during the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 Nikita Khrushchev, the leader of the Soviet Union, placed missiles in Cuba as an offensive tool in the event of war with the United States and its NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) allies. Fidel Castro, revolutionary leader and president of Cuba at the time, authorized the Soviets to place missiles in Cuba since both were communist nation-states. In response, the U.S. government placed missiles in Türkiye in case of a Soviet attack. Tension had been building between the two countries due to the Cold War, as well as the Berlin Blockade of 1948. This article will discuss the growing tension of the Cold War, why missiles were placed in Turkey and in Cuba, and how the US government was affected and responded. to the crisis. The Soviet Union and the United States distrusted each other because of their different views on how governments should operate. The Soviet Union wanted no elections, a communist government, and a society controlled by the NKVD (communist secret police). The United States, on the other hand, wanted free elections, democratic government (all citizens should be able to have a say in the government in one way or another on everything that affects their lives), personal freedom and media freedom. (historylearningsite.co.uk) The Cold War is the name given to the relationship that developed primarily between the United States and the Soviet Union after World War II. The Cold War dominated international affairs for decades and many major crises resulted from it – the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam, Hungary and the Berlin Wall being just a few. For many, the growth of weapons of mass destruction was the focus of the press. The event that nearly plunged the world into war is known as the October Crisis. The Cubans were grateful to the Soviet Union for coming to their defense at a time when it seemed almost certain that the United States was about to invade. (Finkelstein 103-104). There are still disagreements today about the origins of this conflict. Russian historians blamed the British Prime Minister (Churchill) and American President Truman. They said Truman and Churchill wanted to destroy the Soviet Union while the Soviets were just trying to defend themselves. Later, some Western historians blamed America. They said Truman didn't understand how much Russia suffered during World War II. Most historians agree that the Cold War was primarily a clash of beliefs between communism and capitalism (johndclare.net). A clash that almost had a devastating end.