1. The Cuban Missile Crisis

2. Setting the Stage The Truman Doctrine The Marshall Plan Containment
The Domino Theory
The Berlin Blockade
The Berlin Wall
Why are these events so important when trying to understand the Cold War?
Based on your knowledge of the Cold War, outline the reasons why your historical policy or event helped increase the tension at the outset of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

3. The Bay of Pigs Invasion
The 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion was an unsuccessful attempt at invasion following the Cuban Revolution that saw Fidel Castro come to power
It was planned and funded by the United States
The invasion was carried out by armed Cuban exiles in southwest Cuba.
This action accelerated a rapid deterioration in Cuban-American relations worsened by the Cuban Missile Crisis the following year.

4. The Crisis Begins
October 15, 1962 Monday

5. The Crisis Begins
A U-2 reconnaissance pilot, Richard Heyser, takes photos which reveal the presence of SS-4 Nuclear missiles in Cuba.

6. The Aerial Photos

7. Meanwhile back in Montana~ Malmstrom Air Force Base had the first and only solid fueled rocket, however they lacked ability to launch it.

9. October 16, 1962
Tuesday

10. October 16, 1962
President John F. Kennedy was informed of the missiles while eating breakfast.
President Kennedy convened EX-COMM, his twelve most important advisors.
What the president didn’t know was that Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev had given the Soviet field commanders in Cuba permission to launch nuclear missiles if the United States invaded.

11. October 17, 1962
Wednesday

12. October 17, 1962
The first of three SS-5 Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBM) were detected in Cuba.

13. Range of Weapons

14. October 18, 1962
Thursday

15. October 18, 1962
President John F. Kennedy meets with and advises Soviet Foreign Minister Andrie Gromyko that the United States will not tolerate the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba. Gromyko denies having weapons of any sort in Cuba.

16. Friday
October 19,1962

17. October 19, 1962
President Kennedy meets with secretary of defense Robert McNamara to discuss military options. JFK left later to Chicago, he was told not to tell anybody about the crisis.

18. Meanwhile back in Montana~
Airmen at Malmstrom Air Force Base started laying wire to launch solid fuel rockets. Construction sites were in the middle of fields, and even on farms.

20. Sunday
October 21,1962

21. October 21,1962
Kennedy asks the Air Force if they could take out all of the Cuban missiles. “Only the ones we know about” replied the Air Force. President Kennedy decided to navel block Cuba.
Another U-2 plane discovered missiles being built on the North Shore of Cuba. President Kennedy told the media that he would tell the American Public tomorrow.

22. TOP SECRET
SOME PICTUES
TAKEN BY U-2 Spy
PLANES

26. The American Response
Kennedy and Congress had already passed a resolution stating the placement of nuclear weapons in Cuba would no be tolerated
They realized they had to act quickly before the missiles were active
They had a number of choices at their disposal – This has become known as the “Escalation Ladder”

27. The Escalation Ladder Do Nothing Go to the United Nations
*Naval Blockade*
Strategic Air strike
Full Invasion of Cuba
Which policy do you think the USA should have employed with the Soviets?
In groups of 5 or 6 which I will choose – make a case for your option.

28. Why was “Do Nothing” not an option?
The Truman Doctrine prevented it
The weapons were too dangerous to American safety
Kennedy would be perceived as weak by the Soviets – This could empower them to make another move on Berlin or another contentious European location
Kennedy would be committing political suicide at home

29. Go to the UN?
PROS
Using the United Nations for diplomacy which is good
Validates the United Nation’s role in global politics
CONS
Takes too long
Could appear indecisive
Too many interest groups
Russia and the United States both have veto powers on the Security Council – hard to reach a consensus
DECISION:
Good option in conjunction with another choice

30. Naval Blockade PROS CONS
Its not war and it is a show of strength without missiles
A Naval quarantine is an effective way of turning away missiles
CONS
Puts the United States in direct confrontation with the USSR
Sinking a soviet ship is an act of war
DECISION:
Safer than an air strike or full invasion

31. Strategic Airstrike PROS CONS
Will effectively knock out Soviet missiles
Good show of American strength
CONS
When Soviet missiles are destroyed it is likely that Soviet soldiers will die as well – this is an act of war
DECISION:
Option number two but would prefer not to use it

32. Invasion
PROS
The United States secures Cuba and ensures nuclear safety from the country
The United States sends a clear message to the Soviets to stay out of the west
CONS
A full invasion would surely kill Soviet soldiers which would be considered an act of war
The nuclear consequences could be disastrous
DECISION:
Too risky, can only be used as a last resort

33. October
Monday

34. October 22, 1962 The public was informed of the crisis on this day.
Senate leaders were informed of the crisis and called for air strikes.
Kennedy reinforced his decision for a quarantine.
Marines reinforced the base at Guantanamo Bay.

35. President Kennedy’s Speech
Addressed the nation about what was going on in Cuba
Announced plans to implement a naval blockade of Cuba.
Sets military alert to DEFCON 3.
Instructions were given to be ready to launch missiles within minutes of the President's speech.
In response to this speech, Castro mobilized of Cuba’s military forces.

36. Meanwhile back in Montana~
Kennedy ordered Malmstrom officials to be prepared to launch the missiles at any time.

38. October 24, 1962
Wednesday

39. Wednesday Soviet ships approached the quarantine.
EX-COMM was worried that Khrushchev had not got hold of the ships to tell them to turn back.
They got information later telling them Soviet ships had stopped.

40. Wednesday
Secretary of State Dean Rusk quoted, “We were eyeball to eyeball and the other guy just blinked.”
The crisis was not at its end.

41. October 25,1962
Thursday

42. October 25, 1962
U.S. Ambassador Adlai Stevenson confronts the Soviets at the U.N. but they refuse to answer.
American military forces are instructed to set DEFCON 2 the highest ever in U.S. history.
The military could, at a moment's notice, launch an attack on Cuba or the Soviet Union.
Kennedy sends letter to Khrushchev blaming the soviets for the start of this crisis.
EX-COMM discusses a proposal to withdraw missiles from Turkey if the Soviets withdraw their missiles from Cuba.

43. October 27, 1962
Saturday

44. Saturday
Khrushchev sends a letter saying if the U.S. removes its missiles from Turkey they will remove theirs in Cuba.
Pilot, Major Rudolf Anderson an American U-2 flier was shot down over Cuba.

45. Saturday
U-2 pilot strays into Soviet airspace accidentally while flying in Alaska. Soviet fighters nearly took the plane down.
President Kennedy will make a statement saying he will not invade Cuba.

46. Why Cuba Mr. Krushchev? Brinkmanship
An opportunity to close the missile gap—Currently far behind U.S. in terms of number of missiles
Protect Cuba – Castro had begun relations with the USSR
Reciprocity: The U.S. has missiles pointing at the Soviets (ie. Turkey)

47. Why was the USSR interested in helping Cuba?
Cuba was a new Communist state
Cuba provided a launch base for USSR inter-continental missiles (ICMs)
Khrushchev wanted to test strength of new US president, JFK
Khrushchev wanted to force JFK into bargaining over US missile in Europe