What does brinkmanship mean in the context of the Cold War?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: Pushing a confrontation to the edge of war to force an opponent to back down
Brinkmanship involved taking a crisis to the edge of war to gain advantage. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, both superpowers faced the danger that pressure tactics could lead to nuclear conflict.
Keep practicing
More Cuban Missile Crisis questions
- Why was the Cuban Missile Crisis considered one of the most dangerous moments of the Cold War?
- What role did U-2 spy planes play in the Cuban Missile Crisis?
- What was ExComm during the Cuban Missile Crisis?
- Which earlier event increased Castro's fears of another U.S. attempt to overthrow his government?
- What was the public part of the agreement that ended the Cuban Missile Crisis?
- What secret U.S. concession was connected to the settlement of the Cuban Missile Crisis?