1.  starter activity Name these events and explain how they increased Cold War tension

2. Hydrogen bomb, 1952 Sputnik, 1957 Gagarin, 1961 Oppenheimer, 1945 Polaris, 1960 U2 spy plane, 1960  starter activity

3. Why did the Cuban Missile Crisis occur? To identify the causes of the Cuban Missile Crisis To assess Kennedy’s options  Aims

4.  Your task Read p.105-107 and make a list of the reasons why tensions increased over Cuba in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Read p.105-107 and make a list of the reasons why tensions increased over Cuba in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Captured soldiers after Bay of Pigs, 1961

5. Growing tensions Revolution in Cuba led by Fidel Castro & Che Guevara threatened US influence over the island Revolution in Cuba led by Fidel Castro & Che Guevara threatened US influence over the island Nationalism – Castro wanted to assert the sovereignty of Cuba Nationalism – Castro wanted to assert the sovereignty of Cuba Business – US businesses were seized Business – US businesses were seized Communism – Castro converted to Communism in 1961 Communism – Castro converted to Communism in 1961 Che Guevara & Fidel Castro

6. Growing tensions Political embarrassments - Bay of Pigs Incident (1961) Political embarrassments - Bay of Pigs Incident (1961) USSR involvement – trading partner & weapons supplier to Cuba, U2 spy planes spotted missile bases on island USSR involvement – trading partner & weapons supplier to Cuba, U2 spy planes spotted missile bases on island

7. How were the US threatened by Cuba?

8. Threats Monroe Doctrine (1823) – Latin America was part of US sphere of influence and outside European intervention Monroe Doctrine (1823) – Latin America was part of US sphere of influence and outside European intervention Russian missiles of Cuba were within reach of US mainland & nearly all major cities, including Washington & New York Russian missiles of Cuba were within reach of US mainland & nearly all major cities, including Washington & New York

9. Vienna SummitBerlin Wall Bay of Pigs All the above events happened in 1961. How might they have shaped Kennedy’s reaction to the CMC?

10. Read p. 107-8 and note the reasons why Khrushchev may have wanted to get involved in Cuba

11. Khrushchev’s motive Expand Communism worldwide Expand Communism worldwide Cuba could be a useful trading partner Cuba could be a useful trading partner Test Kennedy –new president fresh from Vienna Summit, Berlin and Bay of Pigs Test Kennedy –new president fresh from Vienna Summit, Berlin and Bay of Pigs To gain upper hand in the arms race – close missile gap, reduce likelihood of a US ‘1 st strike’ To gain upper hand in the arms race – close missile gap, reduce likelihood of a US ‘1 st strike’ To trap USA – draw Kennedy into a nuclear war (didn’t hide weapons) To trap USA – draw Kennedy into a nuclear war (didn’t hide weapons)

12. Read source E – why do you think McNamara (Defence Secretary) thought Cuba was primarily a domestic problem?

13.  Role play task Work in groups. You are advisers to the President. You have to reduce the five options to just two for the President to choose between. When you have made your decision explain why you have rejected the three you have. Work in groups. You are advisers to the President. You have to reduce the five options to just two for the President to choose between. When you have made your decision explain why you have rejected the three you have.

14.  Homework Read about the events of the Cuban Missile Crisis in Phillips, p.106-110 and create a timeline of the events in your notes. Read about the events of the Cuban Missile Crisis in Phillips, p.106-110 and create a timeline of the events in your notes.

15.  Extension Watch ‘13 Days’ (or read Robert Kennedy’s book of the same title) and assess how accurate the treatment of events is. Watch ‘13 Days’ (or read Robert Kennedy’s book of the same title) and assess how accurate the treatment of events is. Read Gaddis, p.75-8 and Isaacs, p.204-230 and supplement your notes. Read Gaddis, p.75-8 and Isaacs, p.204-230 and supplement your notes.

16. Plenary Plenary Explain why each of the men above were to blame for the Cuban Missile Crisis. Who was most to blame?