Cuban Missile Crisis

Paper Summary:

This paper explores the thirteen days between the discovery of the missile sites and the final conclusion of the crisis known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. Specifically, the paper looks at what the Americans and Russians knew in the lead-up to event and shows how the CIA and KGB definitely had information prior to the actual start of the conflict. The paper explores the historical significance of Russia's involvement in Cuba and the rise of Fidel Castro to power there. The paper also explains the economic and political consequences of the event.

From the Paper:

"In 1945 American had demonstrated the unparalleled destructive powers of their nuclear weapons, and subsequently taken unconditional control of the Japanese nation and its culture. This was done during war-time, of course. It followed an unprovoked attack against America itself, was necessary to stop countless casualties, and may have been entirely justified. The justification of that act is somewhat irrelevant to its psychological impact on both sides of the cold war, however. America learned the lesson that atomic bombs gave them unlimited bargaining power. The Soviet Union learned that America was willing to use that power to wipe out entire nations. In 1958 the USA had threatened China with nuclear weapons in regards to a dispute over Taiwan. From 1959 to 1961 it threatened nuclear strikes whenever the Soviets agitated for control of the divided Berlin. America had proven at least rhetorically willing to use nuclear strikes for political rather than merely defensive purposes."

More papers on Cuban Missile Crisis:

• Term Paper # 131747 : "American Intelligence and the Cuban Missile Crisis"
• Analytical Essay # 74125 : "President Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis"
• Analytical Essay # 134074 : "The Cuban Missile Crisis: An Analysis"
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