Short Answer 
The Cuban Missile Crisis arose in 1962 after the U.S. discovered Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, prompting a 13-day standoff. The conflict was resolved when the U.S. agreed to remove its missiles from Turkey in exchange for the dismantling of Soviet missiles in Cuba, averting nuclear war.
Step 1: Understand the Context
During the early 1960s, the geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union was at its peak. In 1961, the U.S. attempted to invade Cuba in an operation known as the Bay of Pigs invasion. This event prompted the Soviets to ensure Cuba’s security and prevent further invasions, leading them to send missiles to the island.
Step 2: The Cuban Missile Crisis Begins
In 1962, the U.S. discovered that the Soviet Union was transporting nuclear missiles to Cuba, which posed a significant threat due to Cuba’s proximity to mainland America. This revelation sparked the Cuban Missile Crisis, a 13-day confrontation between the two superpowers. In response, the United States implemented a naval blockade around Cuba to prevent further military shipments and demanded that the missiles be dismantled.
Step 3: Justifications and Resolution
The Soviet Union defended its actions by asserting that the missiles were necessary for Cuba’s defense, especially after the Bay of Pigs invasion. The tension escalated until both parties reached a compromise, in which the U.S. agreed to remove its missiles from Turkey in exchange for the Soviets dismantling their installations in Cuba, thus averting a potential nuclear conflict.