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.
Well, on October 24th the blockade on Cuba begins. However the Soviet ships carrying missiles and accompanied by the Soviet submarines still come. On Saturday October 27th, Khrushchev sends a second letter saying that the condition for removing the missiles from Cuba so that the USA withdraw its missiles from Turkey. This was very hard news from Kennedy, since he so desperately wanted the missiles from Cuba removed, but he could not accept the condition since the missiles in Turkey were important. Also on this day, an American U-2 plane was show down over Cuba. This was a very hard day for president Kennedy because now he is advised to launch an immediate reprisal attack on Cuba, although he delays the attack and decides to ignore the second letter sent by Khrushchev.

2. Do you think that nuclear war was ever a possibility in this crisis?
Yes I definitely believe that a nuclear war was a possibility during this crisis. This is because the Soviets ships had reached the blockaded, and the U.S. responded by sinking their ship. And in response to this, the Soviets could have used their nuclear weapons as a retaliation against the United States, causing a nuclear war. Basically, one attack leads to another.

3. Is Source 26 a Soviet or an American cartoon? Explain your answer by referring to the details in the cartoon.
I believe that Source 26 is a American cartoon. First, President Kennedy is displayed as the more stronger leader, rather than Khrushchev. This is because you can tell that Khrushchev is very worried by the wrinkles in his forehead, and the drops of sweat falling from his forehead. While Kennedy on the other hand is very relaxed and calm. He shows no distress like Khrushchev. There is no sweat dripping from his forehead, or wrinkles in his face. Also Kennedy's finger is pretty far away from the button, while Khrushchev is closer and almost directly on it. This shows Kennedy as the stronger country since he is much more relaxed, and not so worried. Khrushchev is about to press the button because he is worried and desperate. This cartoon is definitely in favor of The United States, and therefore an American cartoon.

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: If there were missiles in Cuba Khrushchev could get Kennedy to make some concessions in return for the removal of the missiles.

To test the USA: The Soviet Union wanted to test out President Kennedy. The Soviet Union placed these nuclear weapons in Cuba to see how strong the Americans really were, if they were to face up, the Soviets knew they were a strong nation. If they were to back down, they were weak and now the Soviets could use this to their advantage.

To get the upper hand in the arms race: Khrushchev believed that with missiles on Cuba it was less likely that the USA would ever launch a 'first strike" against the USSR.

To trap the USA: The missiles in Cuba were a trap. Khrushchev wanted the Americans to find them and be drawn into a nuclear war. They were not hidden for a reason.

To defend Cuba: The missiles were used to help defend Cuba.

5. Choose the explanation(s) that you think best fit what you have found out about the crisis. Explain your choice.
I think that Khrushchev had put the missiles in Cuba to not only test the USA but to also get the upper hand in the arms race. This is because, Krushchev, in my opinion, already believed that Kennedy was weak. I think he wanted to see how far Kennedy would go. By putting missiles in Cuba he could find out the strength Kennedy had at the time. If he was weak, then he would feel as if he had the upper hand in the battle. He could feel as if he was the stronger nation, and Kennedy was scared of him. By testing Kennedy with Cuban missiles he would know what to do next. Also, by obtaining the upper hand in the arms race the Soviet Union would be one step ahead of the United States.