What were the main consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis for the Soviet Union?

What were the main consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis for the Soviet Union?

The main consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis for the Soviet Union were:

1. Loss of prestige: The Soviet Union's failure to successfully deploy missiles in Cuba and the subsequent removal of those missiles by the United States damaged the Soviet Union's reputation as a global superpower.

2. Increased tensions with the United States: The crisis heightened the already existing tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States, leading to a further escalation of the Cold War.

3. Nuclear arms race: The crisis prompted both the United States and the Soviet Union to increase their nuclear arsenals, intensifying the arms race between the two superpowers.

4. Shift in Soviet foreign policy: The Soviet Union realized the need for a more cautious approach in its foreign policy and became more willing to negotiate and seek diplomatic solutions to conflicts.

5. Khrushchev's downfall: The failure of the Cuban Missile Crisis contributed to Nikita Khrushchev's removal from power in 1964, as he was seen as responsible for the crisis and its negative consequences for the Soviet Union.