The Cuban Missile Crisis

1. Kennedy described Wednesday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 27 as the darkest days of the crisis. Use the information on page 350 to explain why.

These were the darkest days of crisis because both instances foreshadowed an attack possibly leading to the use of missiles. On October 24 instead of causing a confrontation with the Americans, the Soviets turned around at the last minute. This put pressure on Kennedy to decide whether to attack or be attacked first. If he had attacked first it could've led to a nuclear war that could be blamed on him. On October 27 Khrushchev sends a letter to Kennedy stating that if Kennedy removed his missiles located in Turkey then he would remove Soviet missiles in Cuba. Kennedy could've been unsure as to whether or not the Soviets were going to remove all their missiles from Cuba so he decided to keep them in. Then again Kennedy denying to withdraw missiles from Turkey could suggest he did not trust the Soviets and there was still the possibility of being attacked.

2. Do you think that nuclear war was ever a possibility in this crisis?

I believe nuclear war was a possibility in this crisis because the main focus of this conflict was the debate over nuclear weapons. Both sides wanted spread the location in which they had controlled nuclear missiles set up to launch. Neither side would remove their missiles unless the other did. The Americans spied on the Soviets who were constructing missile bases rapidly in Cuba. The Americans also blockaded Cuba to prevent the Soviets from delivering missies to them. There was a great presence of nuclear weapons so if there happened to be an attack on one country from another than I believe it is entirely possible for nuclear weapons to be used and lead to a nuclear war.

3. Is Source 26 a Soviet or an American cartoon? Explain your answer by referring to the details in the cartoon.

Source 26 is an American cartoon. First Kennedy and Khrushchev are arm wrestling and Kennedy has a stern expression but looks calm and Khrushchev is breaking a sweat trying to keep up with him. Both are sitting on hydrogen bombs. They both also have a finger over a button which sets off their opponents bomb. Khrushchev's finger is closer to the button suggesting he is being pressured by Kennedy to do it or not because if he does do it then Kennedy has an equally powerful response.

4. Using Source 27 list any evidence you can find for and against each of the explanations.

Why did the Soviet Union place nuclear missiles on Cuba?

To bargain with the USA

For: The two sides could now equally bargain.

Against: U.S. would have to give up some of its concessions.

To test the USA

For: They tried to prove how strong theAmericans were.

Against: Just added more stress to the Cold War politics.

To trap the USA

For: The U.S. shouldn't even argue with

Against: The missiles were an obvious trap that Khrushchev didn't even try to hide.

To get the upper hand in the arms race

For: The sides would be equally powerful so the idea of attacking each other would just cause equal destruction on both sides. This would force the two sides to settle matters diplomatically.

Against: U.S.S.R was edging closer in on the arms race preventing America to have an initial attack.

To defend Cuba

For: The missiles were meant for Cuba's defense

Against: Cuba was friends with the Soviets so if the Soviets asked they could bomb America in the matter of minutes from the comfort of their country.

5. Choose the explanation(s) that you think best fit what you have found out about the crisis. Explain your choice.

I believe the explanation of testing the U.S. would be the best explanation because it suggested that the Soviets were not going to use them and the Soviets just wanted to see the Americans' reactions. The U.S. could attack or not do anything which shows the Soviets how strong the U.S. is and to what extent they'd fight back.