What triggered the Cuban Missile Crisis?

The Cuban Missile Crisis was primarily triggered by the discovery of Soviet nuclear missiles positioned in Cuba, which posed an immediate threat to the United States due to their proximity. This situation escalated tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, leading to a 13-day confrontation in October 1962. The presence of these missiles represented a significant shift in the Cold War balance of power and heightened fears of nuclear war.

While American nuclear missiles located in Turkey did play a role in the broader context of U.S.-Soviet relations, they were not the direct trigger for the crisis itself. The failed invasion of Cuba, known as the Bay of Pigs invasion, had previously strained relations but did not directly instigate the Cuban Missile Crisis. The naval blockade, established by the U.S. as a response to the missile installation, was a reaction to the crisis rather than its initial cause. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the critical event that initiated this pivotal moment in Cold War history.