During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, the US discovered Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba that could threaten major US cities. Over 13 days, President Kennedy and his advisers debated options, ultimately implementing a naval quarantine around Cuba. Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for the US promising not to invade Cuba and removing missiles from Turkey. War was narrowly avoided through diplomatic negotiations during this tense standoff.

1. 13 Days in October 1962 The Cuban Missile Crisis

2. Why Cuba? Cuba Che Guevara Fidel Castro The communist Leaders of Cuba

3. Briefing You are Chief Political advisor to President Kennedy of the USA. Your job is to help your President make the right choice for the good of the country and to get him re-elected at the next elections by keeping him popular with the American people. During the decision making activity you are about to begin there are two things that must be remembered: You cannot let the Russians think that you are weak You cannot give to many concessions (give up too much) to the Russians unless absolutely necessary. Instructions On the timeline sheet write down the decision you make at each step. This is very important and you cannot progress to the next stage until you have done so. At each stage after your decision you will be told what really happened and given the next decision to make. If at any stage you find you did not write down the correct decision please note down what the correct decision was on your sheet.

4. 1.October 10th The CIA suggests that there are medium range ballistic missiles already on Cuba. They have a range of 1000 miles. On your map join up the lines at the 1000 mile limit of the MRBMS. Write down the cities that are under threat. Decision You are not convinced the CIA is correct about the bombs. What will you do? Attack Cuba and destroy the bases including any missiles already there. Do nothing and wait and see what else happens thus keeping things quiet. Order a U2 spy plane flight over Cuba to gather evidence.

5. 2. October 14th Bad weather delayed the U2 flight but new photographs show that there are missiles on Cuba. You are not sure what they are and you have not photographed all the island Decision Attack Cuba and destroy the bases including any missiles already there. Do nothing and wait and see what else happens thus keeping things quiet. Order a U2 spy plane flight over Cuba to gather evidence.

7. 3. October 16 th No new photos are available yet but you feel the president should be told. You tell the president and he invites you to join ex comm. Ex-comm are top military and diplomatic staff to discuss what to do.

8. 4. October 17 th President Kennedy's brother, bobby and adviser Sorensen keep up to date with you about events. When the president returns to Washington he has to decide. Decision Attack Cuba and destroy the bases including any missiles already there. (Argued by the air force) Do nothing and wait and see what else happens thus keeping things quiet. Ask the president to talk with the Russian foreign secretary, gromyko, in Washington.

9. 5. October 18th Gromyko and President Kennedy talk for 2 hours. Gromyko says that aid from Russia to Cuba is for defensive reasons and nothing that can be used for an attack against the USA is there. Decision Do you accept this and do nothing Attack Cuba and destroy the bases including any missiles already there. (Argued by the air force)

10. 6. October 20th You learn that nuclear missiles are onboard ships to Cuba from the USSR and are only a few days away from Cuba. Kennedy cancels all public engagements and meetings possible to devote time to the crisis. The newspapers will wonder why? Decision Should the president go public and possibly panic the American people? Attack Cuba and destroy the bases including any missiles already there. (Argued by the air force) Do nothing and wait and see what else happens thus keeping things quiet.

11. 7. October 21st The president decides to tell the nation on October 22 nd . He asks the press and media to keep quiet until the next day. Ships carrying offensive bombs are closing on Cuba. You learn that longer range ballistic missiles are on Cuba with a range of 2500 miles. Join the lines up showing the 2500 mile range on your map. Decision Attack Cuba and destroy the bases including any missiles already there. (Argued by the air force) Do nothing and wait and see what else happens thus keeping things quiet. Put a quarantine ring of us warships around Cuba and prevent the missiles being delivered to the Cubans.

12. 8. October 22nd The president tells congress (the politicians) and the people. The USA prepares for war by going to defcon 3 US marines reinforce the US base on Cuba called Guantanamo bay.

13. 9. October 23rd US ships take up position off Cuba Robert Kennedy (brother) meets with Russian ambassador Dobrynin and expresses his worry Kennedy receives a fax letter from Kruschev of the USSR saying that this situation is a threat to the people of the world Decision Attack Cuba and destroy the bases including any missiles already there. Do nothing and wait and see what else happens Pull back warships to avoid a confrontation with the Russian ships for another day.

14. 10. October 24th USSR ships slow down or turn around except one which keeps steaming towards the US warships. Decision Attack Cuba and destroy the bases including any missiles already there. Stop the Russian ship. Attack the Russian ship if it refuses to stop. Withdraw missiles from turkey which is as close to Russia as Cuba is to the USA in return for the withdrawal of Russian missiles

15. 11. October 26th The Russian ship is stopped and searched and then allowed through the blockade because it does not have weapons. Russia still has weapons on Cuba and could be getting ready to use them fearing an attack on Cuba by the USA. Kruschev writes a letter by fax proposing he remove the missiles if the USA promises never to attack Cuba. Decision Agree to Kruschev’s proposals Attack Cuba and destroy the bases including any missiles already there. Promise not to invade Cuba and allow the United Nations in to dismantle the nuclear sites on Cuba Trade Turkey’s missiles for Cuba's.

16. 12. October 27th Another letter arrives by fax asking to trade Turkey’s missiles for Cuba’s. An American U2 plane is shot down over Cuba killing the pilot. Decision Attack Cuba and destroy the bases including any missiles already there. Promise not to invade Cuba and allow the United Nations in to dismantle the nuclear sites on Cuba. Reply to Kruschev’s first letter and promise to not attack Cuba for the removal of Russian Missiles. Reply to Kruschev’s second letter and trade Turkey’s missiles for Cuba’s.

17. 13. October 28th Kruschev announces over radio Moscow that he agrees to remove the missiles from Cuba. War is averted at the last minute…

18. 1000 Miles 2500 miles