Having put lots of effort into learning the chronology of events during the Cuban missile crisis of 1962 most students react to the word ‘Cuba’ in questions by writing narratives of varying length and accuracy describing the events of October 1962. This is unfortunate if the question relates to the significance of the crisis and disastrous when the question asks about the motivation of the protagonists or the consequences of the crisis. Narrative accounts of the Cuban missile crisis in response to questions about the failed invasion in the Bay of Pigs score zero marks.
Kennedy decided that a blockade to prevent the Soviet Union from bringing in further military supplies to Cuba was the safest way to stand up to Khrushchev, without risking all-out war. The young president knew that either a land invasion, or an air attack on Soviet forces in Cuba, could trigger a nuclear response by the local commander.
Your organisation does not have access to this article.
Sign up today to give your students the edge they need to achieve their best grades with subject expertise
Subscribe
