The Cuban Missile Crisis

1. Kennedy described Wednesday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 27 as the darkest days of the crisis. Use the information on page 350 to explain why.
October 24 was a very dark day because the blockade began and the Soviet ships closest to the blockade stop or turn around. October 27 was a very dark day in the crisis because the Soviet Unions refused to remove their missiles from Cuba unless the United States removed their missiles from Turkey. They could not do this and a U-2 plane was shot down over Cuba, the pilot was killed and Kennedy was advised to attack but held off.

2. Do you think that nuclear war was ever a possibility in this crisis?
Yes I do because Iron Ass was part of the crisis on the American side and his strategy was just to bomb Cuba instead of an invasion. It would have been a very bad idea as the Soviet Union would have bombed the USA.
3. Is Source 26 a Soviet or an American cartoon? Explain your answer by referring to the details in the cartoon.
Source 26 is an American cartoon because it is explaining how the nuclear bombs of the Soviet Union were controlled by the decisions and the strength of president Kennedy and the United states. Whoever had more strength was able to drop and release the bombs first. The reason that U believe it is an American cartoon is that it clearly shows how things are based on the decisions of Kennedy.

4. Using Source 27 list any evidence you can find for and against each of the explanations.
To bargain with the USA- For bargaining, the United States would benefit because the Soviet Union would take the missiles out of Cuba. Against bargaining, the United states had to give up some of their concessions when it really was not fair.
To test the USA- For testing, it showed the strength of the United States and how they could go up against the soviet union without being afraid. Against the testing, the Soviet Union wanted to test out the abilities of Kennedy and thought he would back off to them.
To trap the USA- For trapping, if the Soviet Union was trapping, the United States should not have had any thoughts of negotiating with them or removing their bombs. Against trapping, the Soviet Union was trying to trick the Americans and making them start a nuclear war.
To get the upper hand in the arms race- For getting the second hand in the arms race, the U.S.S.R wanted to take the missiles off Cuba because it meant that the USA would be less likely to attack. Against getting the upper hand in the arms race, the U.S.S.R. was seizing opportunities against the United States.
To defend Cuba- For defending Cuba, the United states were not in direct threat with the U.S.S.R., against defending Cuba, the U.S.S.R. was giving Cuba too many weapons and missiles.

Why did the Soviet Union place nuclear missiles on Cuba?
To bargain with the USA

To test the USA
.....................................................................................
To trap the USA

To get the upper hand in the arms race

To defend Cuba

5. Choose the explanation(s) that you think best fit what you have found out about the crisis. Explain your choice.
To test the USA is most definitely the best fit of what I have found out about the crisis. The Soviet Union was testing the USA and they planted missiles in Cuba to see what the United States would do. The United states could either back off or threaten the Soviet Union and Cuba. By testing the United States, the U.S.S.R. was able to discover how strong the United States was and how much they would fight back to the Soviet Union.