The British government's view of the Cuban missile crisis

Abstract

The article is based on British government sources opened in the Public Record Office at Kew since 1993. It demonstrates how these newly opened British sources illuminate many aspects of the Cuban missile crisis by offering some new details and new perspectives. The first half of the article provides a chronological discussion of Britain's role in the crisis. The second half analyses particular aspects, such as the legality of the American blockade, and assesses the importance of Britain's role, arguing that the fundamental solidarity of British support was of crucial importance to the United States in the resolution of the crisis.