Cuban MIssile crisis
Ben Pockros
November 11, 2014
Professor Knapp
History of the Cold War- Essay 2
Russian Roulette:
Gambling with Khrushchev
According to Robert Kennedy, “The fourteen people involved [in American responses to the Cuban Missile Crisis] were very significant—bright, able, dedicated people, all of whom had the greatest affection for the US . . . If six of them had been President of the US, I think that the world might have been blown up.”1 The Cuban Missile Crisis was delicate. Although tension between the US and USSR had escalated in years past, this Latin America tango severely increased the likelihood of nuclear warfare. Newly inaugurated President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev became locked in a lethal match of chess—countering each other with nuclear threats and strategic position. Both leaders were in check. Initially, President Kennedy embarrassed himself with his inability to contain communism and nuclear supplies in Cuba. But ultimately, and with great risk, in response to domestic and political pressure, and his regrettable Bay of Pigs decision, Kennedy stood a firm ground against Khrushchev during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and avoided nuclear war.
On the eve of Kennedy’s inauguration on January 20th, 1961, it appeared the two countries were finally heading towards a détente. Soviet Premier Khrushchev was the new face of the Soviet Union. He was responsible for de-Stalinization and for several liberal reforms in domestic policy. Khrushchev was actually delighted to have Kennedy elected—a young, inexperienced president who could be taken advantage of during negotiations. “I was very glad Kennedy won the election,”2 he remarked in his memoirs. But while relations began to settle, another dimension of the Cold War arose due to the Cuban revolution in 1959, led by Fidel Castro and his Federalist party.
The Castro Revolution was initially an optimistic moment for the future of not only Cuba, but for all of Latin America. Social reforms
November 11, 2014
Professor Knapp
History of the Cold War- Essay 2
Russian Roulette:
Gambling with Khrushchev
According to Robert Kennedy, “The fourteen people involved [in American responses to the Cuban Missile Crisis] were very significant—bright, able, dedicated people, all of whom had the greatest affection for the US . . . If six of them had been President of the US, I think that the world might have been blown up.”1 The Cuban Missile Crisis was delicate. Although tension between the US and USSR had escalated in years past, this Latin America tango severely increased the likelihood of nuclear warfare. Newly inaugurated President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev became locked in a lethal match of chess—countering each other with nuclear threats and strategic position. Both leaders were in check. Initially, President Kennedy embarrassed himself with his inability to contain communism and nuclear supplies in Cuba. But ultimately, and with great risk, in response to domestic and political pressure, and his regrettable Bay of Pigs decision, Kennedy stood a firm ground against Khrushchev during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and avoided nuclear war.
On the eve of Kennedy’s inauguration on January 20th, 1961, it appeared the two countries were finally heading towards a détente. Soviet Premier Khrushchev was the new face of the Soviet Union. He was responsible for de-Stalinization and for several liberal reforms in domestic policy. Khrushchev was actually delighted to have Kennedy elected—a young, inexperienced president who could be taken advantage of during negotiations. “I was very glad Kennedy won the election,”2 he remarked in his memoirs. But while relations began to settle, another dimension of the Cold War arose due to the Cuban revolution in 1959, led by Fidel Castro and his Federalist party.
The Castro Revolution was initially an optimistic moment for the future of not only Cuba, but for all of Latin America. Social reforms