Thirteen Days Movie Questions

Thirteen Days Movie Questions Name Lizeth Rowe 2023 1. According to Kennedy, what was the purpose of the missile sites in Cuba? According to Kennedy, the purpose of the missile sites in Cuba was to provide the Soviet Union with a nuclear strike capability within striking distance of the United States 2. According to Kennedy, why did the presence of the missiles pose a threat to the United States? The presence of the missiles posed a threat to the United States because it significantly reduced the warning time for a potential nuclear attack, thereby increasing the risk of a devastating strike on American soil 3. Kennedy referred to the 1930s. To what was he referring and, more importantly, what was to be learned from it? When Kennedy referred to the 1930s, he was likely referring to the buildup of military tensions and the failure of diplomacy that preceded World War II. The lesson to be learned from it was the importance of addressing aggressive actions early to prevent them from escalating into full-scale conflict 4. Kennedy's first action was to institute a "strict quarantine." What did he mean by this? By instituting a "strict quarantine," Kennedy meant imposing a naval blockade around Cuba to prevent the delivery of additional Soviet missiles and military supplies, effectively isolating the island 5. What other steps did Kennedy plan to take? In addition to the quarantine, Kennedy planned to increase military readiness, deploy additional troops to Florida, and prepare for potential airstrikes against the missile sites in Cuba 6. What did Kennedy agree to do to end the crisis? To end the crisis, Kennedy agreed to publicly pledge not to invade Cuba and to secretly agree to remove U.S. missiles from Turkey 7. What did Khrushchev agree to do to end the crisis? Khrushchev agreed to remove Soviet missiles from Cuba and dismantle the missile sites in exchange for Kennedy's assurances not to invade Cuba and the removal of U.S. missiles from Turkey 8. On balance, did either side "win" in the end? If so, which one, and why? On balance, neither side can be said to have "won" the crisis outright. Both the United States and the Soviet Union made concessions, leading to a resolution that avoided direct military conflict but left both parties with a sense of compromise 9. Why was the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba a problem for the United States? The presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba was a problem for the United States because it threatened the strategic balance of power and posed a direct threat to American security by placing nuclear weapons within striking distance of major U.S. cities 10. What options did Kennedy and his advisers consider in response to the missiles? Kennedy and his advisers considered various options in response to the missiles, including diplomacy, military action (such as airstrikes or invasion), and a naval blockade 11. What course did Kennedy choose, and why? Kennedy chose the course of action that combined diplomatic pressure (the naval blockade) with behind-the-scenes negotiations to peacefully resolve the crisis while avoiding direct military confrontation 12. How was the crisis ultimately resolved? The crisis was ultimately resolved through a combination of diplomatic negotiations and concessions by both sides. The United States agreed not to invade Cuba, while the Soviet Union agreed to remove its missiles from the island, leading to the de-escalation of tensions and the avoidance of a nuclear conflict