The history of the Cuban Missile Crisis - Matthew A. Jordan

View full lesson: ed.ted.com/lessons/the-history...
Imagine going about your life knowing that, at any given moment, you and everyone you know could be wiped out without warning at the push of a button. This was the reality for millions of people during the forty-five year period after World War II now known as the Cold War. Matthew A. Jordan explains the history behind the peak of all this panic - the thirteen days of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Lesson by Mathew A. Jordan, animation by Patrick Smith.

[@ERGSEG]

Shout out to Vasili Arkhipov. You practically saved the world.

[@ImranKhan-je2qz]

@@m.m2594 ever heard of remembering him?

[@MajinMist603]

@@m.m2594 Yea a dead guy that gave us a future..............

[@rachelcadle603]

no kidding!

[@psyfnn]

Kasra Tayebi he has i believe

[@vanz681]

The thing in your lake, yes I stole ur netflix He contributed more to society, even as a dead man, than you being alive

[@everburningblue]

His name was Vasili Arkhipov, and his temperance saved the world. Fuck peer pressure. Do what you know is right. It matters.

[@SilverKenshiro]

The movie Crimson Tide was probably loosely based on this story.

[@DPowered2]

situations like that tend to limit peoples thinking. Like if you get a group of people with 1 not knowing what is going on to say that 2+2=fish then even though the 1 person knows its wrong he would agree anyway

[@Subparanon]

This is one of the many examples showing that having an odd man out leads to better decision making in groups. If everybody shares the same opinion, thinks the same, feels the same, then a flaw in one persons decision making will go un-checked. When you meet someone who disagrees with you personally or professionally, and they make a compelling and lucid argument on their behalf, that's a good time to extend your hand and say I want you on my team. Both sides benefit.

[@nicholaswilliams6475]

Daniel Smith srsly? if everyone did what they thought was right, we would either kill or be killing each other over disputes or simply if someone thought that another person was bad because he has something that the first guy wants

[@tron2007]

Vasili Arkhipov is a true hero of the World.

[@SegaGentleman]

My grandmother told me about this and gave me chills. She grew up in Alabama during this situation and she said as the teacher was dismissing the class, she told them, "if we don't make it to see tomorrow, I'll see you all on the other side". This has stayed with me all my life to think about how it must feel to think everyone may die if our leaders don't come to an agreement. War is so crazy

[@JonSmith-cx7gr]

Now Biden has made it happen again by allowing NATO to try and place nukes on Russia's doorstep and then pretending that it is unreasonable for Russia to disagree with this.... Thanks NATO.

[@lipincheng]

It's really sad that getting away with this crisis was only delaying the inevitable. We'll be in the same situation again, just a matter of time. Since the dissolution of USSR, instead of getting dismantled, NATO was actually expanding to defend against a Russia with a population less than one half of America's. If that is not crazy, I wouldn't know what is.

[@blubaylon]

@@lipincheng But wouldn't the imbalance prevent war? A conflict is most dangerous when both sides are equal in power

[@lipincheng]

@@blubaylon NATO is a US led Mafia gang pushing its luck against Russia with population less than half of US's, but world's largest nukes stockpile. Truth of the matter is we were already given a 2nd chance in 1962 when US had 26,000 nukes.

[@RosaMaria-uc2ot]

My grandparents and mom didn’t know no one in cuba knew about the crisis , but my mom and grandparents did watch the plane go down she told me the sky was red and all they seen was a plane burning down in the sky , my family is Taino and Guanajatabeyes they seen and passed down many stories from the past how the USA tried to attack Cuba many times etc , I agree on having to come together and live in peace but I just don’t want Cuba to become what it was again or like Hawaii and Puerto Rico , we already have enough with the dictatorship and why I say we it’s because I’m still a Cuban citizen and if I speak bad about the government my family or I will pay the price same price people paid in 2020 revolution

[@aharanr2833]

There's a lot more to the re story like the fact that Vasili Arkhipov and his crew stayed in the sub which was overheating and maxed at an astonishing 75 degrees celsius, they no hyperbole, suffered. The saddest part tho is that Vasili and his crew were never truly acknowledged by the government instead it is said in many accounts that their higher ups told them it would have been better if they'd drowned with the submarine. Vasili sadly passed away in 1998 due to Kidney Cancer caused by radiation. He was such a selfless man and when his wife talked to him about the injustice of the event he didn't want to hear about it, he was truly a hero.

[@randomgreek5682]

Like my god he saved the worlded from nuckler war which would ended everyone on earth but he saved it by not firing the missles

[@Akshaja_Rao]

He was the mam with the potential to truly revive a Nobel Peace Prize 🙏🏻

[@spacetacos7574]

Imagine you save the world from a literal fallout game form happening and those around you say you should’ve died for that Damn

[@mysteryboxxd7897]

JazakAllah

[@rootsnroll649]

he was promoted all the way to vice admiral after that incident, so i wouldn't say he lived a hellish life after that. the nukes armed in the submarine was also top secret, and only revealed on 2002 thats why the government didnt go yelling about how he saved the world, so not even some of the higher ups know they had nukes on that sub.

[@skillkill950]

Wow Vasil Arkhipov can honestly tell people that he saved the world!

[@aliensinnoh1]

But he died in 1998, so he can't tell them anymore.

[@turtleman583]

Lel do yo research

[@skillkill950]

William Stockhecker okay, "could honestly tell people" then... happy?

[@peiceofcheese87]

Still not in past tense. Try "Could not have told people".

[@bipbong2906]

Latrell Homie dog he wouldn't give a shit cuz he was Russian

[@cesargeney5268]

please someone tell me there is a statue of Vasili Arkhipov somewhere

[@RADIUMGLASS]

Too bad he isn't spoken about much in the history books.

[@C0wb0yBebop]

Cesar Geney the man should get the nobel peace prize and a holiday

[@blackstatic161]

Heath Anderson He died 20 years ago...

[@rolandramos6926]

@@blackstatic161 posthumously they should

[@IAmGayForReplyingToThisGuyBut]

Ik

[@juliuslugo6210]

“The Cuban Missile Crisist revealed just how fragile human politics are compared to the terrifying power they can unleash.” LOVE IT 😍

[@anthonyglover3773]

How bad can the Cuban Missile Be anyways

[@thanh6523]

@@anthonyglover3773 Idk, total anihilation of the surface of the Earth maybe ?

[@anthonyglover3773]

@@thanh6523 we'll that could be it or something else who knows

[@human8368]

@@thanh6523 nah it wouldn't have been that dangerous

[@joekerr5418]

@@thanh6523 total annihilation of the northern hemisphere that's for sure

[@maxalmonte14]

Americans: have missiles in Italy and Turkey. Russians: ok, I'll have missiles in Cuba. Americans: HOW DARE YOU!?

[@sarojparajuli1132]

thats called having competitive advantage and the way to win the war, missiles in Italy and turkey was directly pointed at Moscow so that if any cities of USA are attacked, major russian citiy will be met with a nuclear fireball,

[@Tepi1337]

Russians: Joining nato is a threat to us Also Russians: Let's start a full scale war, because they tried to join Nato

[@maxalmonte14]

@@Tepi1337 not the subject here homie.

[@Tepi1337]

@@maxalmonte14 Nah just a good

[@Tepi1337]

Spot

[@bookdream]

Its terrifying how millions, or even billions of lives can be lost in a few minutes over mistakes/ stupid conflicts/ one hotheaded moment. Its so true that our technology has advanced faster than our intellect.

[@alexman24893]

Look at the fact that some people actually pushed for a third atomic bomb to be dropped on Japan

[@bookdream]

aadu7ec Really?

[@bookdream]

congo kong I don't know how much I agree with that. I think tech is very useful and has done a lot of good for humanity, but its a double edged sword. Where the other edge could be complete annihilation.

[@klutz3955]

+Hobbes indeed but that does not mean that it cannot be avoided :^)

[@DoomFinger511]

+aadu7ec The people that pushed for the 2nd A-bomb to be dropped were the ones that effectively got Japan to finally stop fighting. Easy to judge in hindsight. Especially if you weren't even alive when it happened.

[@13yankeesownyou]

I actually didn't know about the decision made in the submarine. Jesus Christ nuclear warfare was literally stopped by one man.

[@jeanicehoffing8935]

Sounded like bullshit at first telling, but a lot great tragedies *could* have been prevented by a single person, as much as those that successfully were prevented

[@xyronox]

WW1 could have also been prevented by 1 man. WW1 not happening would also prevent WW2.

[@JoAkMok]

war will find its way

[@DPowered2]

actually just the opposite there are plenty of times things worked out or fell into cause because of an individual

[@ZipperOfficial]

I agree and disagree. While they have been cases of one individual dramatically altering things to some extent, in this case there is plenty. I disagree with the notion that there is plenty of cases being THIS close. Sure... there were close calls before, but never like this. When you say plenty you are implying it has happened dozens of times before

[@sarahj6795]

I feel like the other lesson was don't point a bunch of missiles at someone and then get mad when they point some back.

[@anthonyglover3773]

all they gotta do is drop and it would go back to that person

[@user-fp3yc9hm6m]

Instead of teaching kids the quote: “Tear down this wall!” in history class, we should instead teach them the quote: “Don’t push that button!”

[@johniversen1539]

I didn't understand the irony in comics and movies of not pushing the red button until I studied the Cuban Missile Crisis.

[@Yallan]

We should rename, "Vasili Arkhipov" to, "Vasili Arkhipov the Great".

[@guesswhomst3780]

I am for this notion

[@cassidybrash4243]

I concur with this

[@ammonal01]

You can count on my support.

[@raphaelzhou5422]

Or maybe "Vasili Arkhipov the Savior" is more appropriate?

[@cassidybrash4243]

Just anything to acknowledge this hero really

[@prashanthraghavendran2628]

It's crazy to think just how many times nuclear war was prevented by unbelievable good luck.

[@donnyjones6717]

Naw that was GOD SENT.WERE NOT GONNA.KILL THE EARTH NOT UNTIL HE GIVES HIS FINAL JUDGMENT TO ALL MAN KIND

[@theimperiumofman3714]

@@donnyjones6717 god does not even exist

[@saocxdc210]

I dont think it's just good luck, it is also the hard work and intelligent, wisdom of people stopping the end of the world

[@Mr_Hst]

Fucks sake why did this turn religious?

[@minhan3694]

@@donnyjones6717 t) ll

[@superkoksu487]

I love how Americans never mention the fact that USSR asked multiple times to remove the nuclear missiles from Turkey that were aimed at Moscow. They always jump straight to Soviet response and how The Great Kennedy saved the day by doing what soviets proposed from the beginning. I'm glad that at least in his death he became open minded.

[@danielread3643]

brutal

[@danker_4762]

Def con 1

[@jaxonklaus838]

@Kian macatuno In the eyes of the average American, the soviets. To the rest of the world, The Americans.

[@ethan6198]

Why is everyone in the TED comments a lowkey communist lol

[@ProfX501]

@@ethan6198 For someone with your username, you seem hilariously brainwashed by revisionist history

[@karlahemphill3414]

I still remember those days. My dad never left the radio or tv. And what a relief when it was over.

[@zhenbohan5219]

bone chilling to look back at this chapter in history

[@Psychopatz]

Zhenbo Han ikr

[@That_GuyYouTube]

Nope

[@TankNSSpank]

Us missile in turkey -> no big deal. Ussr missile in Cuba -> the end of the world

[@sinom]

thats why it ended with both removing the missiles

[@sinom]

thats why it ended with both removing the missiles

[@M0rmagil]

Exactly. The missiles in Italy and a Turkey couldn't be fired in the decisive time frame that the missiles in Cuba could be. Oddly enough, no mention was made of how Castro was screaming at Kruschev to launch an attack. Only pro western dictators are allowed to be shown in a negative light.

[@ItzZynqHD]

Do you have a source for that?

[@MrsFrenchyFan]

It is not exacly that manichean (it never is with History)....: Initialy, the missiles were suppose to be hidden in France but our gouvernment said no. A big thing for us because USA basically freed us 20 years prior to that moment, we owed USA (probably why Einseihower asked us). Only then started the negociations with Turkey. And don't get it twisted, Turkey had an interest in it too. Turkey was not a victim and did not get "bullied" by USA into having their nuclear missles ;)

[@oliviaahn9595]

when it said quarantine my heart stopped

[@aerinh.3456]

same...

[@shreyasnerurkar34]

@@aerinh.3456 lol

[@rayhanahmed318]

Mine too lol

[@elpi2804]

"Communism is a disease that must be stopped" they said

[@mohitarathore7962]

Loll

[@mrawesome669]

Vasili Arkhipov, may the world praise you for your bravery and compassion. He is someone we should all aspire to be when necessary - Respect from Europe!

[@NichoTBE]

To be fair this was a good tactical move by the soviets... see how the US didnt like it when missiles were so close to their border giving them almost no warning of an incoming attack but the soviets had already been living under similar conditions for a while... the Cuban missile crisis solved both problems.

[@101m4n]

Wouldn't be at all surprised if it was planned this way. I don't think either man was stupid enough to actually push the proverbial button...

[@NichoTBE]

101m4n Like he said in the video war was nearly started by the sub commanders, so I don't think it was planned, i think the soviets were just tying to level the playing field a bit by putting nukes in Cuba and vowing to defend them against invasion but either way they came out of it better off. It didn't last long though, nukes were returned to Turkey (tactical nukes) and are still there today, although they may have recently been moved due to the Turkish coup attempt.

[@AleksandrKramarenko]

Fidel Castro supposedly once said he wouldn't have hesitated to use nukes in the event of a US invasion during that time period. So, you can plan all you want (to not use nukes), but variables outside of your control can mess it all up. By the way, you can also read in the Armageddon Letter how Castro urged the Soviets to perform a full-on first strike attack to "eliminate this danger forever" in the event of an invasion of Cuba. www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/jfk-attack/

[@Maksimilijus]

yeah, look at the usa today, they have ibms all over europe, and they are still saying that the russians are aggressive, and a threat to their national security....

[@DylanDude]

+Maksimilijus Where did they say that?

[@obrkenobi1170]

Thank you for mentioning the threatening U.S placement of missiles in Turkey and Italy within striking range of Moscow. Very informative and unbiased. :)

[@lordpoustray4064]

Although I do agree with you, he didn't mention the fact the those US missiles are still in Turkey ready if needed to strike Moscow, despite the deal saying they'd be removed.

[@pokemonfan1richo]

They removed the Jupiter missiles from Turkey in secrecy within 6 months.

[@korakys]

The US still has nuclear bombs in Turkey, but not nuclear missiles.

[@obrkenobi1170]

Shit. I didn't know that either.

[@cesargeney5268]

I think those missiles there are part of the deffensive system or shield to attack the ussr's nuclear missiles when launched

[@LOEKASH]

This is one of the best animated historical essays I've ever seen. The animation fits perfectly and adds to the paranoia so well.

[@ashishchourasia2830]

Every narration and animation of Ted-Ed is next level

[@aproudeuropean1578]

The Soviet commander that refused to fire the nuclear torpedo should be made a saint.

[@DaDunge]

Unfortunately the Orthodox church was not a big thing on the USSR.

[@DaDunge]

Eh there's sainthood in the orthodox church too.

[@aoli8142]

He probably doesn't want to, since he most likely isn't Catholic.

[@rajibpathan2739]

😄

[@the_mlg_pizza2985]

@@rajibpathan2739 That would be irrelevant, as he is not CHRISTIAN

[@Yoyle-jq9ul]

USA: *puts nuclear warheads in Turkey* USSR: *puts nuclear warheads in Vuba* USA: *pikachu face*

[@mobilecyclop7329]

Yoyle 0340 yeah

[@rogel4438]

Vuba?

[@justanotherguy1122]

@@rogel4438 He ment Cuba

[@rogel4438]

@@justanotherguy1122 hahaaha

[@f1content364]

Cuba you meant?!!

[@cozyjosey1709]

it's actually so chilling how catastrophic this could have been. Even though I already knew all about the crisis, I was literally out of breath because I held it for so long.

[@thesingingpeas4542]

We don’t know what would happen to the world if it wasn’t for Vasili Arkhipov. Are use of planet Earth is controversial, but it could have been way worse if it wasn’t for this man. Thank you sir, you have my deepest respects.

[@MrMJ-jc4hd]

Vasili Arkhipov and Stalinslov Petrov were two great heroes of mankind, without them Nuclear War could have happened....

[@imionfamilin7057]

Stanislav

[@BrodyTEM]

And cause Splatoon. 🤣

[@BrodyTEM]

The nuclear war could’ve done that...

[@bradley8575]

1962 or 1983 we could have had a nuclear war

[@bradley8575]

@Dejwr do Stanislav Petrov dude he is to Overshadowed by Vasili Arkhipov plus Stanislav saved more lives than any other human being did globally than Vasili and He Lived Longer.

[@LilChuunosuke]

I'm just glad I'm not that guy at 0:15 poor guy broke his finger pressing a button.

[@Techrzz]

first reply

[@MrK-kr1qi]

Hahaha

[@jessegilbert4857]

omg im dying i just bursted out laughing and yelled out stop

[@elizacajetas1174]

That’s every EXO-Ls and Armys during voting season

[@ajt01]

i can bent my finger like that it dosent hurt

[@gabbym333]

Outstanding video! As a history teacher I really appreciate videos like this. Thank you!

[@ellsbells0824]

Why are Ted Ed videos so calming

[@johniversen1539]

lol. I find it funny how you think that a video about possible nukes being launched so close to home calming.

[@jjtomecek1623]

I think I got the chills after watching that. I always new about the Cuban missile crisis, but I never knew that the entire future of the world was shaped by a simple yes or no question by three guys

[@101jir]

There's more. JFK was under a lot of pressure to simply invade Cuba. Before this, he was under pressure to nuke the Soviet Union, while it was believed the US had the upper hand. Had he asked for it, he easily could have received the codes to launch ICBMs, nukes from bombers, and nukes from submarines. Invading Cuba was the option that was pushed for for the time in question (what I mentioned above came before the CMC). The Soviet Union likely would have responded by invading Turkey. With both Cuba and Turkey armed with nuclear weapons, that likely would have triggered nuclear war. In an interview in the 1990s with Castro, he said that had it come down to an invasion, Castro himself said that he wouldn't have waited, he would have launched the nukes at the US.

[@nicktaylor8771]

only God can destroy the world

[@colinz226]

unfortunately, i cannot agree. i wish

[@sergioaguero5702]

AJ Tomecek me two

[@kaptainkreampie1676]

@@101jir what you mean by cmc?

[@kissmeinass1071]

Vasili Arkiphov was truly one of a kind, I never knew him before but I couldn't help to admire how rational and level headed he was in a really heated situation. Such a great person!

[@bobbowie9350]

When it was usa with nuclear bombs, it was "you better fear us ". When other countries stockpiled their own, the USA was like " hey, wait a min" Hypocrites!!

[@dilligafwyt6095]

And this part of history is repeating itself in Ukraine. They wanted to join NATO which pretty much guarantees they would get US nukes. The difference is where Kennedy didn't invade Cuba, Russia did invade Ukraine. And Krushchev at least had the intelligence to understand Kennedy would launch missiles. Sadly I don't think Biden does.

[@unconscious1076]

@@dilligafwyt6095 lol USA actually invaded Cuba but failed miserably (Bay of pigs invasion)

[@deante6506]

@@dilligafwyt6095 Ukraine wouldn't get nukes from USA, are you crazy ? it would go directly against the Budapest memorandum that Russia now has broken. No country bordering with Russia in the eastern europe has the nuclear weapons not even Poland, Ukraine especially wouldn't be allowed to have nukes. NATO doesn't even have the balls to protect the humanitarian corridors from getting bombarded by russian bombs and you think that they would give the Ukraine nukes ? Do you have any idea about how geopolitics work ?

[@syaodrey8086]

@@deante6506 Смотрю комментарии западников,и все как один говорят о мнимом нарушении будапештского меморандума,просто пересказываете пропаганду прозападно настроенных сми.И какие бомбардировки гуманитарных коридоров со стороны России?Для полной картины не хватает приплетения постановки в Буче,где Россия настаивала на проведении расследования,когда как эти призывы,коллективным западом были проигнорированы,ибо при объективном расследовании вся ложь всплывёт наружу,и миф о непредвзятости запада и военных преступлениях России просто рухнет.

[@sanjanagomes8115]

Ted talks is the best it covers many issues historical or news related and they just make it so simple and easy to understand. ted talk please do more of this videos on major news and issues of the world both in past and present.

[@johnmacdonald1094]

On October 23, 1962, the US Navy intercepted Soviet ships headed for Cuba. That day, New York City authorities decided to test the alert system. Some time around noon, I was leaving campus for lunch, and the sirens went off. I thought that WWIII had started - which it nearly did.

[@sursr2820]

Woah!

[@M0rmagil]

Not cool....

[@kyokyoniizukyo7171]

really? Damn, it was that close?

[@joseaca]

its just a prank bro!

[@NightSymbol]

Must have been scary. At the height of the last "world ending event" , December 21st 2012 , I was an class when everyone's phone gave off an amber alert. No one truly believed that the apocalypse was coming, but everyone in my morning class paused and had a deathly look on their faces when that alarm went off. Turned out that there was just a lightning storm nearby.

[@anotherordinaryguy4992]

When you realized a Russian man is the one who prevented the nuclear war.

[@CheifBreif333]

Ouch

[@nich2988]

And that’s so unbelievable, why?

[@rhythmbhati7512]

@@nich2988 maybe because history and historians have always portrayed Russia in a very typical manner, as a war hungry country that wants to rule over the world and the type to destroy all the nations that won't surrender..

[@nich2988]

@@rhythmbhati7512 I know:) I was trying to get an answer out of this person to explain the prejudice against Russians encouraged by the media and how wrong it is, thanks for explaining. Do u feel the same way ?

[@rhythmbhati7512]

@@nich2988 yes I do, the media portrays an image of a community/country (or literally anyone or anything) and then forces us to see only the side that they wanna show, if possible they would even want to forbid us from looking at it in any other way, may it be good or bad...

[@Phyco_Smash]

This is absolutely incredible. In Australia, I never learned of this in school and it seems to be a world saving negotiation unlike any since...

[@KironManuelCards]

So good to hear this version.

[@itselysesee]

I was learning this in my history class today !! thank god. I didn't understood my teacher at all

[@legendaryone696]

puahaha, I totally understand lol

[@legendaryone696]

Andrei that's not necessary and had nothing to do with the context of this comment.

[@itselysesee]

I'm sorry ?

[@andreipelle6205]

Just saying he should probably brush up on his knowledge about irregular verb tenses.

[@itselysesee]

Ah...I'm a she but thanks for calling me a he.

[@helious5056]

I love the Artist behind this. His work on blank on blank was awesome

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

liked an animated newspaper that a political cartoonist would make.

[@vishrutheda1055]

Another deep and meaningful message, well done TedEd, never failing to impress me 😃

[@erkkovainioinen9585]

Thank you so much for making my history projects 20times easier :)

[@nayotorres111]

0:18 I don't feel so good Mr. Stark

[@editingman95]

Mr. Kennedy I don't feel so good

[@zestyhd3287]

lol

[@vikramdantuluri4745]

thanos irl=ussr/cuba in cold war

[@btc54723]

Accused of bargaining with the enemy!? Those ppl who held those accusations must have never thought of the consequences of not negotiating, or they don't care about war which would kill millions. Either way, those ppl should never be in any position of power. Unfortunately many are today.

[@crazycat1380]

billions not millions sir

[@ronalddino6370]

If it was a Republican president's some war would broke out

[@termsconditions5033]

@@ronalddino6370 Tf? The party that the president is affiliated with has little to nothing to do with the possibility of war breaking out between the US and another country. Congress is the one that declares war, the president cannot. Stop being so polarizing; we've had amazing Republican presidents and also terrible ones.

[@dani0479]

@@termsconditions5033 i think what he meant that since Kennedy was a democrat so the people most likely accusing him of bargaining with the enemy and wanting the opposite outcome were his political enemies ie republicans. So if it was then in charge, they would have chosen war. But who knows, maybe criticizing Kennedy was just for the sake of criticizing and if out in the same position, they would probably still have chosen diplomacy.

[@termsconditions5033]

@@dani0479 Oh I see, that makes more sense. I was really confused to why the political party of the president would have affected this outcome, thanks for helping me to see a different side to what I originally thought it was

[@gary682]

I like how you can summarize a lot of info in a short video I was like wow only 5 mins learned a lot thank you

[@teslaromans1023]

This man literally saved the world. Not participated, not saved some lives, he literally saved us all from nuclear war…

[@mitos95176]

Vasili Arkhipov, more like Vasili Peacekeeper.

[@MrDavidh4]

Sean Connery: "Vashili…...one 'ping' only, please!"

[@firepheonix1584]

thank you Vasili Arkhipov

[@chanti9274]

finally someone is addressing the part about italy turkey missiles. Good that the end goal was reached for both countries

[@theperfectshot1110]

turkey still has us missiles. us found a loophole by giving it to nato. Now Nato "controls" the weapones.

[@yonslash457]

Always in awe with the graphic... 😊

[@unknow210]

2:55 proves how important is separation of power, and checks and balances.

[@MeisterYodarkus]

Welcome to 2016, where under a video about how the world nearly might have ended 40 years ago people fight each other over who had the first comment. *sigh*

[@oliver8500]

*55 years

[@healthystrongmuslim]

what a beautiful Duwang

[@liquidpebbles7475]

so you rather live those terrible days again than ahving some dumbass comenting first?

[@healthystrongmuslim]

well, if I know it's gonna turn out like this, why not? 😋

[@MeisterYodarkus]

liquidpebbles No, but I think there are better things to say about these times than "first". Maybe discuss on how we never should go back to these times.

[@McLovin18-88]

Kennedy's logic: ok I don't want to look weak so I'll commit an act of war wich could end in the destruction of the world Kennedy supporters: yea that sounds smart

[@elpi2804]

Yeah that's about right

[@ednabirkdale7403]

@@elpi2804 an act of war or not he and kruschev came in clutch

[@viridia1526]

AllStar Actually (historically) Khrushchev thought Kennedy was young so was naive and weak. Kennedy wanted to prove his strength which ended up causing this.

[@zacharyfelder6604]

@@viridia1526 Kennedy wanted to prove himself so he put missiles in Cuba? interesting.

[@cz77777]

@@zacharyfelder6604 putting missiles in a country that agreed is not an act of war, the US placed their missiles in Turkey and Italy way before Kruschev did, but setting up naval blockade is definitely considered act of aggression if you want to look back in history

[@schoolacountangel9885]

These videos are so helpfull

[@howlsgirl6364]

I'm very happy I learned this 2 years ago. This is the particular lesson that I always remembered in our history class. Thanks to my teacher who did research and not just based on the books 💖

[@raayney]

So when US plants nuclear missles in Italy and Turkey is completely fine but when the Soviet Union plants nuclear missles in Cuba, its not okay?

[@DylanDude]

It's a bit more complicated than that. 1. The Soviet missiles in Cuba were much closer to the United States than the Italian and Turkish missiles were to the Soviet Union. 2. Castro wasn't seen as a responsible enough person, even encouraging the USSR to just nuke the United States first. 3. The American missiles in Europe (and Turkey) were obsolete, and there were plans to dismantle them regardless. 4. The UN themselves disapproved of the Soviet missiles in Cuba, as they had been shipped in secret while the US' missiles were well known. 5. The United States removed its missiles at the end of it all regardless. It's easy to paint both sides as villains in this crisis, so be careful when you judge either nation based off of it.

[@jijdom]

@@DylanDude "the soviet missiles were much closer to the US than the italian and turkish missiles" give me a break. Turkey was litteraly bordering the USSR while between the US and cuba there is an entire sea between them. And the rest of your points are invalid arguments like "plans to dismantle them regardless" is a joke. You cant trust a politican because he has "plans" to do something.

[@ericsierra-franco7802]

Cuba is ninety miles from Florida. That changes the calculus

[@ericsierra-franco7802]

Dilman sky 90 miles of ocean is not an entire sea between them.

[@radhikagupta6421]

@@DylanDude whatever u say but USA is the biggest enemy of mankind

[@jones1351]

Great production(artwork etc.). You covered a lot of ground in a short period, touching on the key points. First time I read the story of Arkhipov was in a book by Noam Chomsky (Hegemony or Survival, I believe it was). It made me think of the movie, Crimson Tide, with Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman, and the late James Gandolfini. Only the plot was set on an American Sub.

[@geraldnuwagira6684]

This really drew me on! Amazing.

[@jommydavi2197]

Well done TED Ed, you decided to do this video after my GCSE History about the Cuban missile crisis.

[@maximusdizon7267]

thanks for requesting this video.

[@plue5068]

I'm sitting for mine May next year so it was helpful for me 😂

[@lauracth]

grateful for this nice summary bc O's in 23 days 😐

[@isamejac]

happened to me.. still can not believe it

[@jommydavi2197]

Isabela Mejia what happened to you?

[@SteveLamberts]

One of the best and deepest episodes. Ever. But it seems it was only a postponement. We are at it again.

[@jakubswitalski7989]

eminem's rap god is my favourite song ever.

[@sirspazzyx]

Steve Lamberts and you t

[@helmbreaker8622]

Steve Lamberts Indeed

[@Xhadp]

The Cuban Missile Crisis should be something that is talked about more often since I think there is many lessons in learning how to avoid the threat of potential war and how to escalate and de-escalate threats on a national level. The crisis is also much more recent so the world has more info about the event over much older events that have occurred like the World Wars

[@catwag2465]

Thank you! 5 mins til IB history paper 2 exam and this has helped me cram

[@hawkthehunter]

I didn't realize how close we were to nuclear annihilation.

[@OdinHyrule]

I freaking love TED-Ed! These are all so well made!

[@louanamontavon4089]

Un travail très bien réalisé, une animation de qualité, en bref, un excellent choix pour un exposé sur cette fameuse crise. Thank you :) !

[@louanamontavon4089]

Thank you for your opinion, it was really useful

[@rajnirani7772]

Great summary of one of the most imp incident of our history!

[@AnyaChuri]

What a superb video! Mind blowing value addition to one's knowledge , cognizance and conscience with an enchanting representation!

[@Chrisallengallery]

Are you all ready for round two?

[@doubled6490]

Happening with Finland and NATO

[@AlexWhiteStripe]

No one was ready back then, nobody is now. But Murphy's Law tells us to be prepared. The funny thing is that we believe we have democracy, but it's impossible to prevent a spontaneous missile attack, for the Army don't ask civilians about what they have to say regarding the situation.

[@doubled6490]

Санёк Ефимов so true

[@Elandil5]

We are both (west and east) ready, we are always ready. But the civilians are not...

[@MetallicReg]

You need the will of the whole nation to start a war. You need only some rockets to destroy a society though.

[@parkerrose3590]

I was only 11 years old when this happened and I still remember how terrified I was!

[@mylifeasliz8234]

This video saved my history grade. I bumped up from a D to an A. Shout out to Ted-Ed and Vasili Arkhipov!

[@bunnyofdeath8465]

Arkeepov wasn’t the only world saver during the Cold War. It seems it would actually be pretty interesting to make a video on. There were multiple instances of machines reading flashes of lights as nuclear missiles, and many times this almost caused retaliation on both sides

[@belkacemseffari7404]

I remember reading about that officer who saved the world long a go .. Thank you .. may you rest in peace

[@suryasane6435]

America always gets threatened by the fact that someone else has become just as good as them. It's okay for them to install military camps and supply weapons around the world, but as soon as someone else does it, it's a humanitarian crisis. While as much as Arkhipov deserves the praise, it's so terrifying to imagine that just a few leaders of two countries can decide the fate of every being on the face of the planet.

[@wanderingthewastes6159]

Correction: as soon as a dictatorship does it it's a humanitarian crisis, I don't remember anyone complaining about Indian naval bases.

[@night7826]

@@wanderingthewastes6159 what's there to complaint about Indian naval bases?

[@catmaster4772]

I learn something new almost everyday. Thnx TedEd

[@grasshopper2462]

JFK was perhaps the best president of the century. It's a shame he was killed, likely by people within the government or it's intelligence agencies IMO. There's many different reasons why Kennedy would have been targeted, he ordered the complete withdrawal of all US troop from Vietnam not long before he died (a war which was escalated after his assassination from 15 thousand troops to 500 thousand over the next decade), he denied the military its plans to bomb buildings in different cities killing innocent Americans in order to blame it on Cuba so they could justify invading their country, and he fired the higher ups of the CIA for their rogue actions and as mentioned in the video the the failed bay of pigs fiasco, as well as wanting to get rid of the CIA entirely. When you threaten to destroy the CIA and you try to stop the people who make billions of dollars off of war, your pretty much signing your death warrant. A very brave man he was.

[@epsilon3821]

But what about the other presidents? Surely there are some presidents who did just as, if not more, great things than JFK. It is more probable if you consider the fact that JFK's term was limited to about 3 years. Side note here: Can I please point out how lucky it was for JFK to specialize in diplomacy during the hottest period of the cold war?

[@101jir]

And yet, most of the ideas that we celebrate of Kennedy's administration was originally Bobby Kennedy's idea. Imagine if he had been president instead of being president before he had a chance? On the otherhand, it may just as well have been Bobby Kennedy's idealism that got him assassinated in the first place. The sad truth about leadership is that in any country, if you are too good a person, you will step on the toes of the powerful and get yourself killed. Not to say that every leader that gets killed is good, that would be an inverse of my claim. Rather, there is a high probability that anyone that is too just and too powerful will make enemies that will kill them. There are, of course, leaders like Hitler that had attempts made on them because they were so evil, and their leadership so wrong, that it was the just thing to do.

[@grasshopper2462]

+101jir you should watch the documentary called everything is a rich mans trick, is goes into great detail on JFKs assassination, the individuals that profited from it, and the a Greta history lesson not very told that starts at hitler and the nazis and how American industrialists financed and created that nazi party, sold oil to their war machine, had their companies like coca cola profit from nazi slave labor, and Henry ford selling them their tanks.

[@grasshopper2462]

+Just some guy FDR was a great president, so great that a congressional committee (or something similar) concluded after an investigation that some of the most powerful corporate leaders in the country had talked about getting rid of him, apparently because of his "new deal" that significantly increased taxes on the richest one percent of the population in order to survive the Great Depression and save the country.

[@101jir]

grass hopper Sounds interesting. I just can't help and sit back to wonder what if, what if Bobby Kennedy had actually been president. How would our world be different today? But, between that documentary (which I will definitely check out if it is free to stream on Netflix), and what I said above, the sad part is that being such a good person, he never had a chance: the possibility of him becoming president was to threatening for the powerful corrupt. Not that all powerful people are necessarily corrupt, but offending one person of too much power is enough to get you killed.

[@ellenspear7368]

I was eight years old when this happened, and living in Colorado Springs, yet I don't remember it. If we did have drills that had us hiding under our desks at school, I have no memory of it.

[@RADIUMGLASS]

What happened? how could u forget?

[@infamousmee7778]

hiding under a desk wont save you from a nuke.

[@someguy-cd4gb]

It will save you. If you are quite far from the nuke, but still close enough to experience buildings getting destroyed, that desk can potentially save your life.

[@angrywada8147]

@Cole Janse_van_Rensburg my dude, no ones had a nuke dropped on them least of all you, relax bruv

[@rorufu6548]

times are changing. 2022. we face another one of this.

[@mapoleo]

Vasili has to be one of the greatest human being to ever lived, I wouldn’t be able to type this out without him

[@matteoidklol4175]

We need more people like Vasili in this world. He actually CARED about the Earth unlike other people.

[@SM_Relix]

Wow, give a hand to Vasili Arkhipov. That man is amazing!

[@nazmulhasannobel7059]

The situation is bad again.

[@AStrangeTree]

Everyone comments on Arkhipov, who stood down two other contemporaries and potentially saved the world, but no one seriously considers Kennedy's position, where he stood down and entire room full of unanimous support from military "advisers" to make the decision he thought was right, potentially saving the world.

[@hassanahmed2781]

"Just how fragile human politics are compared to the terrifying power they can unleash" that gave me goose bumps

[@NoNo-qn9po]

That 1 dude saved us all.

[@jayabhalerao2218]

You explain very excellently. Can you make videos on WW1 ,WW2 and cold war ? I beg for your help..

[@alexaraya2018]

4:01 who in their right mind would criticize this move..........probably saved humanity!!!

[@thetrump9974]

There was also a time where a bug in a Soviet missile alert system caused it to say that a nuclear missile was heading towards the union. They were ready to fire back but the general called it off because of his "gut feeling".

[@sandeepbjm]

Vasili Arkhipov the only hero who saved the world.

[@legendaryspud3462]

It is so nice to see an unbiased and honest history video when it comes to controversial topics like these. Thanks a million.

[@user-fk1cs2oh5i]

TED-ED videos are so well made 🤯

[@MrStarTraveler]

To summarize: The US deploys nuclear missiles in Turkey and Italy - nobody bats an eye, the Soviet union deploys nuclear missiles in Cuba - everybody looses their minds.

[@inigobantok1579]

Jupiter Missiles couldn't reach the ussr major population centers excluding volgograd and kiev and many of those missiles are for incase a soviet invasion. The soviets have missiles that could reach every city in America excluding seattle

[@MrStarTraveler]

@@inigobantok1579 Well that changes everything ... It also means I had to do more research before commenting. Thanks

[@johniversen1539]

Nobody panics when things go according to plan. When America puts missiles in Turkey, and Italy, nobody panics because it's all according to plan, but when the soviets put one missile in Cuba, well then everyone loses their minds! It kind of sounds like something that Joker said in The Dark Knight.

[@gives_bad_advice]

Nobody bats an eye? You really think the Soviets and Eastern Bloc were okay with nukes on their doorstep?

[@MrStarTraveler]

@@gives_bad_advice I'm speaking from the perspective of the US. My original comment is basically an expression of how nonchalant the US was about putting missiles all over Europe, yet so furious when the same was done to them.

[@wlqpqpqlqmwnhssisjw6055]

Like ,if you came here to know about the hypocrisy in ukraine attack

[@hunterofdarkness8329]

Yeah everybody is brainwashed. If NATO took Ukraine and planted or placed their missiles and military bases near Russia of course Putin was be distressed, people ignored history and only focused on what I'd happening

[@kingvxv6438]

People will always forget history.

[@user-wu7ew8yb3w]

@@hunterofdarkness8329 But hey! Amurica can't do no wrong!

[@putinsneighbor8351]

@@user-wu7ew8yb3w Bombing Japan? Invading Vietnam? Destabilizing the Middle East? Creating ISIS? It’s okay, it’s America we, can’t be mad.

[@pippo321321]

Great explanation and video, thank you.

[@sircreed67]

Very well spoken and said my friend✌🏼

[@MissSpaz]

My mom says that the Cuban Missile Crisis was the most terrifying event in her entire life.

[@liammason3062]

USA should create monument to Vasili Arkhipov in Washington as to the man who gave second birth to USA.

[@googleminus1442]

Second birth to everyone.The moment the US detects that missile they're going to launch thousands back.

[@shockingshane9700]

I love how the 2 that chose to launch aren't named, Hopefully they will forever be forgotten, while the Hero's name lives on. Vasili Arkhipov

[@brankostanojevic7421]

What a good film! Very educative !