cuban missile crisis

[Pers]

what were some good reasons the US engaged in the crisis? i have to create a debate for class...and i have no idea what to do

 

[Nebor]

A reason to engage in the crisis? TO keep soviet nuclear missles from being within 5 minutes (flying time) of US soil. The allow the soviets to position their missles so close would put us at a major tactical disadvantage. We would lose a lot of negotiating power, and basically be the USSR's bitch.

 

[Pers]

is that all?

 

[The Stigenator]

go watch 13 days...

i believe that's the movie on teh cuban missle crisis.

 

[rgwalt]

The soviets were putting offensive ballistic missles with nuclear warheads into Cuba. This was a serious threat to our national security. They could have nuked DC with little to no warning. We had to do something, and a blockaid (quaranteen) of Cuba to stop the weapon build up was necessary. They gamed out a lot of different possibilities, including a pre-emptive nuke strike on the USSR, but the blockaid was the only option that meant that we didn't have to invade Cuba, which could prompt the USSR to retaliate by invading West Berlin, West Germany, or some other country in Europe. Furthermore, invading Cuba could have forced the Soviets into using their nukes, or using their battlefield nukes.

It was a bad situation all around. Watch the movie 13 days for a pretty good, historically accurate account of the crisis.

Ryan

EDIT: Or go read a book... this is for a class right? Do your homework, son.

 

[Pers]

thanks guys

 

[FreshCrabLegs]

A former CIA's Analysis of the Cuban Missile Crisis

Eighth paragraph on down should give you a spook's perspective.

The big lie, however, is that the Soviet Union came into Cuba to protect the Cubans. That was a secondary, or bonus, consideration. The primary reason for the build-up was that the Soviets at the time were so far behind us in nuclear strike capability that Khruschev figured he could make a quantum leap by suddenly putting in 48 missiles that could strike every city in America except Seattle, Washington.

Nor did we come as close to war as many think, because Khruschev knew he was caught. His missiles weren't armed, and he hadn't the troops to protect them. Kennedy knew this, so he was able to say: "take them out." And Khruschev had to say yes.

Hope that starts you off.
&
Good Luck

 

[freebee]

Show them your "cuban missle"....that'll create a debate.

 

[Pers]

yay i win...any more hints?

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Communism baaaaad!

 

[labrat25]

go watch 13 days...

i believe that's the movie on teh cuban missle crisis.

read the book by the same name, it's by Robert Kennedy (Attorney General at the time but bro of the prez so he knew what was up)

it's only like 90 pages, and very well written