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.
Oct. 24 and Oct. 27 were the darkest days of the crisis because those were the days that the world almost broke out into war. Oct. 24 was when the Soviet ships almost ran the American blockade and almost came so close as to warrant shells to fly. Oct 27, was when an American U-2 spy plane was shot down in Cuban airspace and the president's advisors advised him to put together imediate military action.

2. Do you think that nuclear war was ever a possibility in this crisis?
I really don't think it was ever an option. Neither country wanted the entier destruction of the war on its hands. America and the U.S.S.R weren't stupid enough to think convetional warfare would demand a nuclear arsenal. The Soviets wanted to push the Americans and make them back down. The Americans wanted to show they wouldn't let the Soviets push them around.

3. Is Source 26 a Soviet or an American cartoon? Explain your answer by referring to the details in the cartoon.
I think it's an American cartoon for a few reasons. The first is that Khurshchev is sweating and that means his resolve in doing what he might is failing and therefore he is weak. The other reason is that J.F.K. isn't sweating and looks perfectly calm which means his resolve to do what must be done isn't wavering and this shows him as strong.

4. Using Source 27 list any evidence you can find for and against each of the explanations.
I think all the reasons could be possible except to defend cuba and to gain an upper hand in the arms race. The Soviets could be testing or making deals with the Americans. If the Americans backed down they would have to make some consceions to get the missles out of Cuba. This could also be a test because of the fact that putting nukes in America's backyard could be a test to trick them into attacking first and to give the Soviets a reason to fire. I don't think that it would be to defend Cuba because it really doesn't make any sence what so ever to defend a country with nukes when you could do it with conventional weapons. Also I don't think it was to get an upper hand in the arms race because America was so stupid to think at all it would be smart to start a nuclear war.

The U.S. Attempts to Contain Cuba

1. Why was Cuba so important to the United States?
It's industry and most businesses were owned by Americans. Also it was extremely close to America and had been a long time ally.
2. Why do you think the Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than invading themselves?
They didn't want to get their hands dirty and risk all out war with the Soviets backing the cubans. This way it was a cival war and one that only involves the people.
3. Why did the invasion fail?
The Cubans had modern weapons and armored veichles like tanks and armored personal carriers. The rebels didn't have these.
4. Compare Source 17 on page 345 (in the Arms Race.pdf reading) with Source 24 on page 348. Describe how the Soviet Union missiles on Cuba changed the Cold War balance of power.
In Source 17 on page 345 the U.S. had both long range and short range missles aimed at the Soviets while the Soviets didn't have either. In Source 24 on page 348 the Soviets had both long range and short range nukes pointed at America and could desimate the country without a problem.

The Arms Race

1. Read Source 12. What methods do you think Dulles had in mind to 'liberate captive peoples' without a war?
I think he means to show the communist nations of the world how great Captalism is and how great democracy is. Basically I think he wants to fight a economic, political, and propaganda war but not a military war.
2. Look at Source 13. Would you agree that the Communist world was encircled? Explain your answer.
Yeah I do think the Communist world was encircled. This is because of the fact that almost on every side of the members of the warsaw pact their was a nation allied with Ameircan. Also because on basically on every side of the communist nations their was a hostile nation to their government policy.
3. Carefully examine the verticle timeline on page 343. Then look back at Source 12. Do you think the development of nuclear weapons was what Dulles might have had in mind?
I don't think Dulles meant using and devoloping nuclear weapons. This is because devoloping and using nuclear weapons would lead to war and killing many innocent people. This isn't a was of avoiding war. This is a way of starting war.
4. Look at Source 16. What is the Soviet cartoon saying about the U-2 plane?
The soviet cartoonist is saying the U-2 planes are letting the Americans spy of the soviets and it's helps them be the "nosy neighbor".
5. Read the Factfile on page 344. Explain why the USSR was so angry about the US spy flights.
The Americans were violating Soviet airspace with the spying flights. Also it was an act of espianage and the pilot could be exuctued by the Soviets. Also it was an act of aggression.
6. How would the USA justify this violation of Soviet territory?
They could have justified the flights because of the fact that the playing were only looking for information to protect the U.S. from Soviet nulcear attacks and was an example of homeland security to keep the American public safe from nuclear threats.
7. If the USSR had had U-2 planes, do you think it would have used them? Why?
I don't think the Soviets would have used spy planes if they had them. This is because they condemed the U.S. for using them and if they used them they would be hypocrits and would be shamed in front of the whole world.
8. Look at Source 17. Why do you think the USA had missiles based in Europe?
The U.S. had short range nuclear missles based in Europe for rapid responce. It took 30 minutes for an icbm launched from American soil to hit the soviets but only 5 minutes to hit the soviets if they fired a short range nuke.
9. Define the term 'nuclear deterrent' in not more than 20 words.
Nuclear Deterrent is when both sides had nukes and know if they fire nukes they'll be killed too.