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How did Kennedy react to USSR missiles in Cuba?. Learning objective – to understand how Kennedy reacted to the USSR missiles in Cuba. I can e xplain the different options Kennedy had and why he chose the option he did. Grade B.
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Learning objective – to understand how Kennedy reacted to the USSR missiles in Cuba. I can explain the different options Kennedy had and why he chose the option he did. Grade B I can explain and outline the importance of Kennedy’s actions and why events turned out the way they did. Grade A and A* I can describe the different options open to Kennedy and what he did. Grade D
What was Kennedy’s reaction to photos of the Cuban missiles? Once it was confirmed that the photos did show USSR missiles in Cuba, Kennedy formed a group of advisors on 16th October 1962. to decide what to do next. Kennedy had five options………
Option one – Do nothing Pros – Overreacting may lead to nuclear war. The USA still had more missiles than USSR. Cons – To do nothing may be seen as a sign of weakness and encourage the USSR to challenge USA influence elsewhere in the world.
Option two – Surgical air strike Pros – Destroys the missiles before they become operational. Cons – No guarantee that an air strike could destroy all the missiles. Some might be launched against US cities. Bombing would probably kill USSR soldiers and that would be seen as an escalation of the Cold War into a Hot War.
Option three – Invasion Pros – Remove missiles and Castro from power. Cons – Seen as an escalation. USSR would react with a possible nuclear war or invasion of West Berlin.
Option four – Diplomatic pressure Pros – Involvement of UN and other countries may force USSR to withdraw missiles. Cons – Seen as a weak option and one that would unlikely produce the desired reaction from Khrushchev.
Option five – naval blockade Pros – This would show firm action without direct confrontation. It would also buy time to consider next actions. Cons – A blockade would not remove the missiles already placed in Cuba. Action would likely to be slow.
What happened on 22nd October 1962? Kennedy made his decision and announced it live on television. He informed the world that Soviet missiles had been found on Cuba and that the US would launch a naval blockade around Cuba which would search any ships going through the blockade.
Why did Kennedy choose the blockade option? Kennedy wanted to avoid war despite pressure from US military leaders to bomb Cuba. Kennedy wanted to give Khrushchev a way out without to appear to humiliate the Soviet leader. Kennedy wanted to buy time to try and solve the crisis without direct confrontation.
Was the US naval blockade of Cuba successful? The blockade was launched on 23rd October. At this point both US and USSR armed forces went on red alert. Khrushchev denied that there were USSR missiles on Cuba and ordered his ships to continue their journey to Cuba. On 24th October, a USSR ship is stopped at the US blockade and searched. No missiles were found. Other USSR ships with questionable cargo turn back.
What was the impact of Khrushchev’s letter? On 26th October, Khrushchev sends a message to Kennedy stating that if the blockade was lifted and US promise not to invade Cuba and then USSR would consider withdrawing its missiles. However, the next day a U2 spy plane was shot down over Cuba and Khrushchev sent a tougher message arguing that USSR missile in Cuba were no more dangerous than US missiles in Turkey. The Cuban Missile Crisis was at its peak.
How did Kennedy respond to Khrushchev’s tougher stance? On 27th October, Kennedy simply ignored Khrushchev’s second message and responded to the first. He agreed to lift the blockade and not to attack Cuba as well as removing missiles from Turkey if the USSR removed its missiles from Cuba. On 28th October, US spotted USSR ships turning away from the blockade and Khrushchev sent a message agreeing with Kennedy. The Cuban Missile Crisis was over as Dean Rusk said ‘ We went eyeball to eyeball and the other guy has just blinked’
Plenary From what you have learnt this lesson, give – 5 key points that summarise the Cuban Missile Crisis. 3 questions that you could answer about the Cuban Missile Crisis. 1 most important option that Kennedy had to deal with the USSR missiles in Cuba.
