Barbadillo Stephen Richard R.

July 27 2017
LM7A

The Cuban Missile Crisis: A Review

I. Introduction
A. The Cuban Missile Crisis was a major conflict between the two nuclear states,
the United States and Union of Soviet Socialist Republic, whereas the United
States of America faces a big threat due to the course of action taken by the
Soviet Union during the Cold War.
II. The Root of the Crisis
A. The Bay of Pigs fiasco
1. Following the total failure of the CIA operations to overthrow the Cuban
leader Fidel Castro (whereas they trained Cuban rebels to defeat Castros
regime), Castro himself sought for a way to defend his motherland.
B. Transportation of missiles to Cuba
1. Fidel Castro went into an agreement with Soviet leader Nikita
Khrushchev. The Soviet Union agreed to place their ballistic missiles in Cuba to
deter any invasion. It should be taken into account that this was gratefully
accepted by the Soviet Union during the Cold war in order to show their might
against the opposing country of the United States.
III. The United States versus the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis: A Short
Recap.
A. The Conflict between the parties
1. The United States responded, through blockade (to place naval ships
near Cuba and to block such missile shipments to Cuba), while the Soviet
regarded such act as an act of war and such missiles placed were only
defensive .
2. Further events tend to almost commence the nuclear war. (Death by
U.S. pilot, the Soviet submarine issue etc.)
 B. In line with peace for both nations
1. Attorney General Robert Kennedy and Soviet Ambassador Anatoly
Dobrynin, through a secret meeting at Washington D.C. ended up with a certain
agreement. The Soviets would remove its missiles in Cuba under United Nations
inspection while the U.S. would also disarm its missiles in Turkey and Italy.
2. The next day morning, The Soviet Union announced that their missiles
in Cuba will be removed.

IV. The gains that justified the risks of the Soviet Union
A. Strategic gains
1. Strategically, such movement will have a great impact in showing off
how Khrushchev and the Soviet Union equalled the United States with regards
to nuclear capability. Since this is in the context of Cold War, the Soviets will reap
considerable strategic gains against the U.S if the missiles were not detected
until they became operational.
B. Political gain
1. Khrushchev has illuminated his political authority, not fearing and
concluding that their actions would be contradicted by the U.S. through a
nuclear strike. Similarly, this event caught the attention of other countries to
Khrushchevs courage to deal with the Americans face to face.

V. Effects of the Crisis on the United States of America

A. As for the government and the population
1. The event terrified the U.S. as it increases the paranoia and the need to
demand support of the American government to impose more funds for military
defenses so as not to get left behind against any other country with regards to
military power.
B. As for John F. Kennedys regime
1. The crisis did imposed a great burden upon the president at that time.
However, positive feedbacks were also received by President Kennedy during
such period. This event enhanced Kennedys prestige, able to gain domestic
support due to his ability to suspend judgments resulting into a nuclear war.
VI. Lessons learned from the Cuban Missile Crisis
A. The significance of peaceful negotiations
1. Contemporary studies commended Kennedy and Khrushchevs ability
to diplomatically solve the said crisis.
2. If it was not for peaceful negotiations and suspension of hasty
conclusions, the crisis would go further into a more serious danger which will call
out a nuclear war.

B. How fragile human politics are

1. A little miscommunication between the sparring states, its leaders or its
soldiers could result into war itself. It being a real necessity that every action
should be given importance.

2. The Cuban Missile Crisis just revealed how weak is the relationship
between states during the Cold war that which states can resort in devastating
just to prove how powerful they are.

References:

Demetrios, C. (1983). Political Science Quarterly Vol. 98. Bogoda, Columbia: The
Academy of Political Science
Robert, F.K. (1969). Thirteen Days; A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis. New
York: W.W Norton & Company, Inc.