Hey future history buffs! Strap in because we're diving into the nitty-gritty of why Khrushchev decided to make the U.S. sweat by placing missiles in Cuba. This is like a Cold War episode of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," but with nukes!

• Understand why Khrushchev put missiles in Cuba.
• Explore U.S. reactions and implications.
• Link the Cuban and Berlin Crises.

• Protection for Cuba: According to Khrushchev's memoirs, he wanted to protect Cuba from another U.S. invasion like the Bay of Pigs. Imagine you have a friend, and someone is bullying them—you'd wanna step in, right? That's Khrushchev for Cuba.

• A Taste of Their Own Medicine: Khrushchev wanted the U.S. to know what it feels like to be threatened. The U.S. had missiles in Turkey, next to the Soviet Union. It's like when you copy your friend's Fortnite strategy because it's so effective; Khrushchev wanted to level the playing field.

• Political Prestige: After the Berlin Wall embarrassment, Khrushchev wanted to win some 'cool points.' Having a bargaining chip like Cuban missiles would make him the LeBron James of Cold War politics.

• Fear Factor: John Lewis Gaddis suggests that Khrushchev mainly acted out of fear that the U.S. would again try to invade Cuba. It’s like installing a security system because you think someone might try to rob you again.