Cuban Missile Crisis: Crisis

Question 1

The Soviet Union started building Missile bases in Cuba. Why was this?

Answer 1

The USA had Missile sites close to the USSR i.e. Turkey, but the USSR didn’t have any close to the USA so this was a perfect opportunity
To defend Cuba from any invasions

Question 2

One option for Kennedy was to ignore the missiles. What was the problem with this?

Answer 2

He would look weak. There was a chance of nuclear war, and Cuba was much closer to him than Turkey was to Khruschev.

Question 3

One option was for Kennedy to make a deal with the USSR and get them to withdraw the Missile from Cuba if they withdrew theirs from Turkey . What was the problem with this?

Answer 3

Kennedy would look weak.

Question 4

One option was for Kennedy to invade Cuba. What was the problem with this?

Answer 4

Kennedy would look like he was trying to make an empire, this would make him look bad.
Potential nuclear war.

Question 5

One option was for Kennedy to attack the Soviets quickly before they could respond. What was the problem with this?

Answer 5

They might respond quickly, causing MAD

Question 6

One option was for Kennedy to threaten Castro about Cuba being in ‘grave danger’ and hope he stopped building them. What was the problem with this?

Answer 6

Kennedy looks weak
Could take it as a threat and start a war
Could tell the world about the threat

Question 7

One option was for Kennedy to destroy Cuban missile sites. What was the problem with this?

Answer 7

Could be seen as an act of war, and the USSR would defend Cuba with nuclear weapons

Question 8

One option was for Kennedy to blockade Cuba to stop equipment getting in. What was the problem with this?

Answer 8

Could be seen as an act of war

Question 9

Which option did Kennedy go with? Did it work?

Answer 9

Cuban blockade, he called it a quarantine and it was effective, the ships turned around and went back to Russia.