Who was president during Cuban missile crisis?

Who was President during the Cuban Missile Crisis?

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a pivotal moment in modern history, occurring in October 1962 when the United States and the Soviet Union came close to nuclear war. At the heart of this crisis was the deployment of Soviet nuclear-armed ballistic missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from the United States. But who was the President of the United States during this tumultuous period?

Answer: John F. Kennedy

Background to the Crisis

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a culmination of decades of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. Following the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, the Soviet Union, led by Nikita Khrushchev, began to view the United States as a major threat. Khrushchev believed that the only way to deter a U.S. invasion of Cuba was to establish a nuclear deterrent on the island. In May 1962, Soviet engineers began constructing nuclear-armed ballistic missile sites in Cuba.

The Discovery

In October 1962, U.S. President John F. Kennedy received intelligence reports that revealed the presence of Soviet missile sites in Cuba. This information was obtained through photographic reconnaissance, which showed the construction of the missile sites. The President was initially hesitant to act, hoping to find a peaceful resolution.

The Executive Committee of the National Security Council (EXCOMM)

Kennedy convened an emergency meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Security Council (EXCOMM), comprising senior advisors, including Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, and Attorney General Robert Kennedy. The EXCOMM was tasked with discussing options for dealing with the crisis.

Options Discussed

The EXCOMM explored several options, including:

• Air Strike: Bombing the missile sites and destroying the Soviet missile capabilities.
• Invasion: Sending troops to invade Cuba and remove the Soviet missiles.
• Blockade: Establishing a naval quarantine to prevent further Soviet supplies from reaching Cuba.
• Negotiation: Attempting to negotiate a peaceful resolution with the Soviet Union.

The Decision

After much deliberation, Kennedy chose to implement a naval quarantine of Cuba, prohibiting further Soviet shipments from reaching the island. This decision was supported by the majority of the EXCOMM members.

The Crisis Intensifies

The Soviet Union refused to back down, and Khrushchev threatened to retaliate against the United States if the quarantine was enforced. The crisis escalated further when Khrushchev placed nuclear-armed missiles on high alert.

The Resolution

On October 28, 1962, Kennedy delivered a televised address to the nation, stating that the United States was prepared to take military action if necessary. However, Kennedy also left the door open for a peaceful resolution. After several tense days, Khrushchev announced on October 28 that the Soviet Union would dismantle the missile sites.

Key Figures

• John F. Kennedy: The 35th President of the United States, who faced the crisis and made the difficult decisions to address it.
• Nikita Khrushchev: The Soviet leader who authorized the deployment of missiles in Cuba.
• Robert F. Kennedy: The Attorney General and younger brother of John F. Kennedy, who played a key role in advising the President during the crisis.
• Dean Rusk: The Secretary of State who advised Kennedy on diplomatic options.

Conclusion

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a pivotal moment in modern history, demonstrating the potential for global catastrophe in the event of nuclear conflict. John F. Kennedy’s leadership and decisions during the crisis prevented the outbreak of war, ensuring the safety of the world. The crisis served as a wake-up call for the United States and the Soviet Union, leading to increased diplomatic efforts and ultimately contributing to the easing of tensions between the two superpowers.

Timeline:

Table: Key Decisions and Options

Significant Quotes:

• "We’re eyeball to eyeball, and I think the other fellow is blinking." – John F. Kennedy (referring to Khrushchev)
• "If you’re in a hole, stop digging." – Nikita Khrushchev (in response to Kennedy’s proposal for a blockade)