In which year did the Soviet Union place missiles in Cuba, triggering a major Cold War confrontation?

• A. 1959
• B. 1962
• C. 1969
• D. 1976

Answer: (B)

This question hinges on the timing of the Cuban Missile Crisis, when the Soviet Union placed missiles in Cuba and brought the United States to the brink of war. That happened in 1962. After the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, the Soviets secretly shipped missiles to Cuba to deter an American invasion and to shift the balance of power in the region. U-2 reconnaissance over Cuba in October 1962 confirmed the missile sites, leading President Kennedy to impose a naval quarantine and push for removal of the missiles. The crisis was resolved when the Soviets agreed to withdraw the missiles in exchange for a U.S. pledge not to invade Cuba, along with a secret side agreement to remove U.S. missiles from Turkey later. The other years don’t match this event: 1959 is when Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba, while 1969 and 1976 are years associated with other Cold War developments.