Warm-Up!!!  Analyze the above political cartoon. What unit goal is being portrayed through the illustration? What types of events might this cartoon foreshadow to us at our point in the unit?

Duck and Cover!!!  Get Down!!! Get Down!!!

Stick Debate  Instructions:  Events that occurred during the Cuban Missile Crisis will be displayed on the SmartBoard.  Three areas have been designated in the room representing each of the three countries involved.  As an event is unveiled, move to the area of the room that represents which country you support.  Each person has been given one popsicle stick. The stick represents your opportunity to persuade other people to join your country.  The actual country names will be revealed at the end.

Event #1  In 1959, Country C overthrows their government and installs a Communist regime.

Event #2  In 1960, Country A organizes a plan to invade Country C and overthrow their government. The plan is a massive failure and Country C aligns with Country B for aid.

Event #3  In response to the alignment, Country A decides to put warheads in an area capable of striking the capital city of Country B.

Event #4  On October 14, 1962 a spy plane from Country A discovers nuclear warheads in Country C, less than 90 miles away. The warheads were placed there by Country B.

Event #5  On October 22, 1962 the President of Country A announces that his navy will operate a blockade of Country C to avoid further construction of missile sites. The blockade is challenged by Country B ships, but they are denied and a stalemate ensues.

Event #6  On October 27, 1962 a spy plane from Country A is shot down off the coast of Country C. Military personnel from Country B are responsible for the act.

Event #7  An agreement is reached between Country A and Country B. Country A must remove missiles from around Country B and promise to never invade Country C. Country B must remove warheads from Country C.

Introduction  By the early 1960’s the United States had adopted a containment policy that required them to halt the spread of Communism around the world.  In October of 1962, the United States and the Soviet Union would come dangerously close to a nuclear World War III.

Revolution in Cuba  In the 1950’s, Cuba and the United States remained close allies as the U.S. were strong supporters of Fulgencio Batista. Despite the U.S. support, Batista became very unpopular amongst his own people.  In 1959, a group of Cuban rebels led by Fidel Castro overthrew the Batista regime and installed a Communist dictatorship led by Castro.  Castro soon seized U.S.-owned sugar mills in Cuba, which led President Dwight Eisenhower to implement an embargo on Cuba that still exists.

Castro and the Soviet Union?  Relations between the U.S. and Cuba deteriorated quickly, and Cuba soon turned to the Soviet Union for economic and military aid.

The Bay of Pigs  In 1960, the C.I.A. organized an invasion of Cuba, called the Bay of Pigs invasion, in order to overthrow Castro’s communist government.  The invasion was a massive failure that humiliated the United States and gave President John F. Kennedy an image of being incompetent.

The Cuban Missile Crisis  Despite the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion, the United States sent several missiles (ICBM) to Turkey that had the capability of striking Moscow in  In response to the American warheads, Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev began secretly building nuclear missile sites in Cuba in the summer of  On October 14, 1962 the missile sites were spotted by an American U-2 spy plane

The Brink of War  After weighing all military options, President Kennedy addresses the nation on October 22, He announces that the United States has decided to “quarantine” Cuba until the missiles were removed.  Kennedy chose to use the term “quarantine” because it sounded less combative than a “blockade”. The blockade was supposed to cut off supplies and weapons to Cuba.

The Plot Thickens!!  On October 25, 1962 several Soviet ships challenged the blockade but were denied entrance to Cuba without their cargo being examined first. This stalemate lasted several days while Kennedy and Khrushchev secretly negotiated an end to the crisis.  On October 27, 1962 another U-2 spy plane is shot down over Cuba. This increases tension during the negotiation stage of the crisis.

A Resolution  On October 28, 1962 an agreement is reached between the United States and the Soviet Union that effectively ended the crisis.  As part of the agreement, the United States had to secretly remove the warheads from Turkey and publicly promise to never invade Cuba.  The Soviet Union was forced to remove their warheads from Cuba.