1962 18th October
Cuban Missile Crisis
Thompson used his experience with Khrushchev to advise that Soviet intentions and domestic pressures should be interpreted cautiously.
Cold War · October 1962 · permanent subject timeline
Llewellyn Thompson and the Cuban Missile Crisis
The former U.S. ambassador to Moscow who advised Kennedy on Khrushchev. This page combines historical context with 5 matching records drawn directly from the World History Database Cuban Missile Crisis archive.
Historical context
Llewellyn Thompson and the Cuban Missile Crisis: overview and significance
What happened?
Llewellyn Thompson brought extensive experience of the Soviet leadership to ExComm and advised Kennedy on how Khrushchev might interpret U.S. actions and messages.
Why was it important?
Thompson's knowledge of Soviet politics helped shape the decision to respond to the more conciliatory Khrushchev message during the final weekend.
World History Database records
Llewellyn Thompson and the Cuban Missile Crisis timeline
The records below are selected from the 195-record Cuban Missile Crisis archive and rendered as static HTML in chronological order.
1962
1962 24th October
Cuban Missile Crisis
Thompson argued that Khrushchev should be given a path to retreat without appearing to accept an American ultimatum.
1962 26th October
Cuban Missile Crisis
Thompson interpreted Khrushchev's first letter as a serious opening for a negotiated settlement.
1962 27th October
Cuban Missile Crisis
Thompson urged Kennedy to answer Khrushchev's first message and avoid becoming trapped by the later public demand concerning Turkey.
1962 28th October
Cuban Missile Crisis
Thompson helped assess Khrushchev's acceptance message and advised continued attention to Soviet implementation.
Editorial provenance
Sources and editorial review
Compiled and edited by World History Database.
Historical context is editorial material; the chronology is generated from World History Database Cuban Missile Crisis records.
Last reviewed: September 2026.
FRUS: Cuban Missile Crisis and Aftermath · JFK Library · U.S. National Archives
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