In 1962, the US prohibited all imports and exports from Cuba. This is called a(n) _____ .

The term that accurately describes the prohibition of all imports and exports from Cuba in 1962 is "embargo." An embargo is a government order that restricts commerce or exchange with a specified country or the exchange of specific goods. In this case, the US imposed an embargo on Cuba, effectively halting trade and causing significant economic fallout for the Cuban economy.

An embargo is often used as a political tool to exert pressure on a country, often in response to actions that are deemed objectionable by the imposing nation. This aligns perfectly with the context of the 1962 US-Cuba situation, where the embargo was in response to the political climate and concerns over communism.

In contrast, while sanctions are similar, they can involve a broader range of restrictive measures, not strictly limited to trade bans. An import ban refers specifically to halting imports only and does not encompass exports, thus not fully representing the nature of the US’s actions towards Cuba. A quota, on the other hand, is a limit on the quantity of goods that can be imported or exported, which does not apply to the complete trade halt that took place. Hence, "embargo" is the most accurate term for the US's actions towards Cuba in 1962.