Crisis and escalation (1953-1962) : The Cuban Missile Crisis

Sujet du devoir

Bonjour, 

Voici ci-joint , mon devoir sur la Crise de Cuba, en Anglais.

Merci.

Où j'en suis dans mon devoir

 Letter from Chairman Khrushchev to President Kennedy (modified)
Moscow, October 27, 1962

DEAR MR. PRESIDENT,
I understand your concern for the security of the United States…
You wish to ensure the security of your country, and this is understandable. But Cuba, too, wants the same thing; all
countries want to maintain their security. But how are we, the Soviet Union, to [understand] the fact that you have
surrounded the Soviet Union with military bases; surrounded our allies with military bases; placed military bases
around our country; and stationed your missile armaments there? This is no secret... Your missiles are located in
Britain, are located in Italy, and are aimed against us. Your missiles are located in Turkey.
You are disturbed over Cuba. You say that this disturbs you because it is 90 miles by sea from the coast of the
United States of America. But you have placed destructive missile weapons, which you call offensive, in Turkey,
literally next to us.
I therefore make this proposal: We are willing to remove from Cuba the [missiles] which you regard as offensive.
Your representatives will make a declaration to the effect that the United States, for its part, […] will remove its
[missiles] from Turkey.
We, in making this pledge, will promise not to invade Turkey […]. The United States Government will promise not to
invade Cuba […].
The greatest joy for all people would be the announcement of our agreement.
These are my proposals, Mr. President.
Respectfully yours,
N. Khrushchev.


1) What deal does Khrushchev propose to Kennedy?
2) What is the tone of this letter? Provide a quote to support your claim.
3) Do you think Khrushchev has the upper hand? Justify your answer.

 Letter from President Kennedy to Chairman Khrushchev (modified)

Washington, 0ctober 27, 1962
Dear Mr. Chairman:
I have read your letter of Oct. 26th with great care and welcomed the statement of your desire to seek a
prompt solution to the problem. As I read your letter, the key elements of your proposals […] are as follows:
1) You would agree to remove these weapons from Cuba under appropriate United Nations observation
and supervision; and halt the further introduction of such weapons systems into Cuba.
2) We, on our parts, would agree […] (a) to remove promptly the [blockade] now in effect and (b) to give
assurances against an invasion of Cuba, I am confident that other nations of the Western Hemisphere would be
prepared to do likewise.
There is no reason why we should not be able to complete these arrangements and announce them to the world
within a couple of days. The effect of such a settlement on easing world tensions would enable us to work toward a
more general arrangement regarding “other armaments”, as proposed in your letter.
But the first step, let me emphasize, is the cessation of work on missile sites in Cuba […]. The continuation of this
threat by linking these problems to the broader questions of European and world security, would surely be a grave
risk to the peace of the world. For this reason I hope we can quickly agree along the lines outlined in this letter and
in your letter of October 26.
John F. Kennedy.


4) In this letter Kennedy restates Khrushchev’s proposals. Does Kennedy include everything Khrushchev
proposed? If not, why might have he left something out?
5) What is the tone of this letter? Provide a quote to support your claim.
6) Do you think Kennedy has the upper hand? Why or why not?
7) Write you own historical account of the Cuban Missile Crisis (indicate the sources you have used, 15
lines).