Khrushchev dismantles missiles.

PHEW.

Fidel Castro overthrows Batista who trades with Soviets

USA tries to starve Cuba out by stopping trade with them

America breaks off relations with Cuba...

...who are pushed closer to the Soviets

BAY OF PIGS
(JFK supports 1400 anti-Castros to overthrow him and supplies weapons from the CIA. Massacred by 20,000 pro-Castros. Oops)

Khrushchev announces plans to provide Cuba with arms

~ Khrushchev decides to put nuclear weapons into Cuba without detection...

~ ...JFK publicly warns him not to

A USA U2 plane flies over Cuba and takes photos of missiles.
Russian ships head to Cuba.
(JFK can't let this happen... but destroying would start a war)

JFK announces his blockade of Cuba...

... but Khrushchev denies missiles...

..."Other guy just blinked,"

Khrushchev sends JFK a letter:
I will remove missiles if you leave Cuba.

Khrushchev sends another one:
I will remove missiles if you remove ones in Turkey

U2 spy plane shot down...

JFK ignores 2nd letter but accepts 1st letter. His brother visits the Soviet Ambassador offering to remove Turkey missiles 'later'.