The main driving force behind the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 was the heightened tensions of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. The discovery of Soviet nuclear missile installations in Cuba, just 90 miles from the U.S. mainland, created a critical standoff. President John F. Kennedy's administration viewed these missiles as a significant threat to national security. The ensuing 13-day crisis involved intense negotiations and military preparedness, marking a turning point in Cold War relations. Ultimately, the crisis concluded with a U.S.-Soviet agreement, including the removal of missiles from Cuba and a U.S. pledge not to invade the island.