Graded Assignment

Name: Cord Myler

HST303B/304B: U.S. History | Unit 5 | Lesson 1: Crisis

Date: 4/20/16

Graded Assignment
Briefing a President
The Cuban Missile Crisis lasted for a relatively short period of time but had the highest possible stakes. The
United States was on the brink of a nuclear war very close to home. President Kennedy would call on a number of
close advisers to help guide him through this crisis.
Imagine that you are an adviser to President Kennedy. You will need to check various resources to prepare a brief
for the President to guide him through decisions he must make about the crisis. Visit each site in the John F.
Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, as directed below, and respond to each statement or question to help
you prepare your brief.

The World on the Brink: John F. Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Write a clear statement
summarizing the situation Kennedy faced.

The Soviets were building a nuclear missile base in Cuba.

Theodore C. Sorensen's memorandum, October 18, 1962. List the possible courses of action, including
some advantages and disadvantages of each.

Limited air strike-would possibly destroy all missiles on Cuba-would be an act of war
Fuller air stike- would possibly destroy all missiles on Cuba-would be an act of war-would kill civilians
Blockade-would prevent materials from getting to the Soviets-the missiles would still be on the island

Letter to Nikita Khrushchev from Fidel Castro. Describe the Cuban position.

The Cubans wanted the Soviets to attack the US if the US took aggressive action towards Cuba.

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Graded Assignment

HST303B/304B: U.S. History | Unit 5 | Lesson 1: Crisis

Read or listen to President Kennedys speech to the nation at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and
Museum, Address to the Nation on the Soviet Arms Buildup in Cuba. Write a list of other actions he
ultimately included.

A blockade
Surveillance of Cuba
Threat of retaliation
Reinforced base at Guantanamo
Calling upon Chairman Khrushchev to halt

(50 points)

Now, review your notes and write your brief for the president. Your brief should be three to four paragraphs and
should provide a complete explanation of the problem and the possible solutions available to the President.
1. How should President Kennedy respond to the Soviet Arms Buildup in Cuba?
Answer:

Score

President Kennedy, the Soviets are building a secret nuclear missile base in Cuba. The Soviet
ambassador has denied any hostile intent, and that they are helping Cuba with defenses, but the nuclear missiles
that the Soviets are building can have ranges that could reach Canada. No defensive base would need such
armament.
Our options are limited. We can blockade the island to prevent any needed materials from reaching the Soviets,
but this would block food and supplies from reaching the Cubans. We can perform surgical air strikes on the
Soviet Base, but our specialists have reported that this is unlikely to destroy all missiles on Cuba. This would also
be an act of war against Russia. We can perform a massive air strike on Cuba, but this would kill hundreds of
civilians, be unlikely to destroy all missiles, and would again, be an act of war.
We can invade the island of Cuba and seize the missiles, but this would incur hundreds of American casualties.
The people of Cuba are likely to resist a forceful invasion of their island, and their leader has advised the Soviets
to attack the US if threatened. Negotiations with the Soviets are tense at the moment. It is up to you, Mr.
President, to decide what course our country is to take.

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Copying or distributing without K12s written consent is prohibited.

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Graded Assignment

HST303B/304B: U.S. History | Unit 5 | Lesson 1: Crisis

Your Score

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Copying or distributing without K12s written consent is prohibited.

___ of 50

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