The Cuban Missile Crisis

Many view John F. Kennedy as one of the best presidents who has ever lived. However, for my family he is quite possibly the most hated U.S. president of all time. My mom’s side of the family is Cuban and were residents of Cuba during the Bay of Pigs massacre. For those who don’t know about the issue, the U.S. promised Cuban troops supplies and back-up on a huge battle at the Bay of Pigs. Under John F. Kennedy’s command, U.S. troops backed out of the fight right before the battle leaving hundreds of Cubans to die. It was, and is, one of the most embarrassing moments in American history. This battle along with an economic embargo on Cuba led to the event that is the reason why people view John F. Kennedy as one of the best presidents that has ever lived. The Cuban missile crisis was a confrontation between the U.S, the Soviet Union, and Cuba during the Cold War. This moment is considered the closest situation in history that could have escalated to a nuclear war. Needless to say tensions were very high in America and the whole world during this two-week span. On October 14th, 1962, photographs were taken by a spy plane, which revealed missile bases being built in Cuba which is just a mere 90 miles off the shores of Florida. After weighing such options as an armed invasion of Cuba and air strikes against the missiles, Kennedy decided on a less dangerous response. In addition to demanding that Khrushchev remove all the missile bases and their deadly contents, Kennedy ordered a naval quarantine of Cuba in order to prevent Russian ships from bringing additional missiles and construction materials to the island. In response to the American naval blockade, Khrushchev authorized his Soviet commanders in Cuba to launch their nuclear weapons if invaded by U.S. forces. Frozen in this manner, the two leaders of the world's greatest nuclear superpowers stared each other down for seven days. During this deadlock, many Americans were frightened and unsure of the future of their country. Debates and theories were formed on the future possibility of a nuclear holocaust. The scare ended on October 28, 1962 when John F. Kennedy, with diligence and composure, reached an agreement with Khrushchev dismantling the missile bases in Cuba. After several days of teetering on the brink of nuclear holocaust, the world breathed a sigh of relief.