America's Foreign Policy Practice Exam 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis hinged on a delicate negotiation between the United States and the Soviet Union. The correct answer highlights a pivotal agreement that took place between President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. After a tense standoff in October 1962, the U.S. agreed to a non-aggression pledge towards Cuba, which alleviated Soviet fears of invasion. In exchange, the Soviet Union agreed to withdraw its missiles from Cuba, which were perceived as a direct threat to U.S. national security.

Additionally, part of the resolution involved the United States discreetly removing its Jupiter missiles stationed in Turkey, which were aimed at the Soviet Union. This mutual concession helped to reduce tensions and avert a potential nuclear confrontation, marking a significant moment in the Cold War. The secrecy surrounding the Turkey missile withdrawal was kept from the public eye initially to maintain U.S. credibility and avoid any appearance of weakness.

The other options do not accurately represent the events surrounding the conclusion of the crisis. While nuclear disarmament has been a broader goal between the two superpowers, it was not a direct outcome of the Cuban Missile Crisis. There was no surprise attack launched by the USSR, as both nations sought to avoid direct military confrontation