Cuban Missile Crisis
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The Cuban Missile Crisis put the U.S. on the brink of war with the Soviet Union. Did this prospect frighten him? What did he/she think the outcome would be? Select this Topic for writing ideas pertaining to his/her thoughts and experiences during this tense period.
The Cuban Missile Crisis was one of the most frightening conflicts between the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. during the Cold War. Did he/she follow the events of the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962?
- In October of 1962, U.S. military spy planes confirmed Soviet missile sites were under construction in Cuba. President John F. Kennedy reacted by promising to enact a naval blockade of Cuba if the Soviets did not dismantle the sites immediately. How did he/she feel when he/she learned of the crisis?
- When the U.S.S.R denied the presence of their missiles in Cuba, the situation became even more tense. Did he/she fear for the safety of the United States? Describe his/her reaction and the reactions of those close to him.
- When reacting to the crisis, President Kennedy had several options, including a direct attack of Cuba or a resolution through the United Nations. What did he/she think Kennedy should have done? Did he/she agree with his/her decision to create a naval blockade?
- In the days and weeks after the Cuban Missile Crisis, there were negotiations to bring about the removal of U.S. missiles from locations in Turkey that posed a threat to the nearby U.S.S.R. The U.S. peacefully complied. Did he/she believe that the United States was right to cooperate?
- In 1963, the United States and the U.S.S.R. signed a limited nuclear test-ban treaty. This was a step towards peaceful co-existence in the Cold War era. Did this treaty alleviate any fears or concerns he/she might have had regarding the stability of the balance of power in those turbulent times?
- Later it was learned that Kennedy did indeed plan to attack Cuba if the missiles were not removed. How did he/she feel when he/she realized how close the world really came to war? Did the crisis and the events surrounding it have a lasting effect on his/her political beliefs?
- In the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis, did he/she believe that the Cold War would ever end? Did he/she have a strong fear that nuclear war would eventually erupt or was he/she more optimistic about the future of relations between the two superpowers?