This question is designed to test your ability to work with and understand historical documents. Write an essay that: • Provides an appropriate, explicitly stated thesis that directly addresses all parts of the question and does NOT simply restate the question. • Discusses a majority of documents individually and specifically. Demonstrates understanding of the basic meaning of a majority of the documents. • Supports the thesis with appropriate interpretations of a majority of the documents. • Analyzes the documents by explicitly grouping them in at least three appropriate ways. • Takes into the account both the sources of the documents and the authors’ point of view. You may refer to relevant historical information not mentioned in the documents. Discuss the various European views regarding the Cuban Missile Crisis. Historical Background:
In September, 1962 United States President John F. Kennedy received intelligence reports on a possible nuclear missile buildup in Cuba. American U-2 spy planes photographed Cuba for the next month while American intelligence noted the increasing number of Soviet ships going into and out of Cuba. On October 16th, President Kennedy was informed that the Soviets were building offensive missile sites in Cuba. Kennedy and his advisors developed three possible responses. The first was diplomatic action followed by military action if needed.
I remember that my parents and grandparents shared my sentiment. Unfortunately nothing happened and we had to suffer under communism much longer. Document 12 Source: Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State, October 25, 1962 1. Turkish PermRep here has consistently made it clear that Turks set great store in Jupiters placed in Turkey. He makes very clear that Turkey regards these Jupiters as symbol of Alliance’s determination to use atomic weapons against Russian attack on Turkey whether by large conventional or nuclear forces, although Turks have been most reluctant admit presence IRBM’s publicly.
Fact that Jupiters are obsolescent and vulnerable does not apparently affect present Turkish thinking. . . 2. For above reason any arrangement of kind suggested which would not have received prior complete support by GOT [Government of Turkey] would, it seems to us, be most damaging. I emphasize prior consultation, and I think it should be an arrangement freely arrived at by them. My guess is that any arrangement that would not substitute some other considerable kind of atomic capability in Turkey for Jupiters would be rejected by them. Document 11 Source: Telegram from U. S. Embassy in Bonn, West Germany to State Department, October 25, 1962 Federal Press Chief Von Hase October 24 summarized views on Cuban situation emerging form chancellor’s meeting with group of Cabinet Ministers as follows: “By building rocket bases in Cuba Soviet Govt [government] has changed status quo in dangerous fashion. It has done this at a period when all efforts were being directed toward relaxation of tension and strengthening of world peace. ” Document 13 Source: Telegram from U. S. Embassy in Berlin to Department of State, October 24, 1962
East Berlin Press quoted Sov [Soviet] denunciations US action which described as arbitrary sea blockade, violation of UN Charter, International Law, Freedom of Seas and Trade, and interference sovereign rights “peaceful little Cuba. ” Said Kennedy administration characteristically had not consulted allies, described hundreds of protest demonstrations in GDR [East Germany] and indignation majority would public opinion, with only Bonn and West Berlin ultras approving US action. Document 8 Source: Letter from Prime Minister MacMillan to President Kennedy, October 22, 1962
President Khrushchev, in reaction to the blockade, . . . may try to escort his ships into the Caribbean and force you to attack them. This “fire—first” dilemma has always worried us and we have always hoped to impale the Russians on this horn. We must be ready for retaliatory action against Berlin [as well as for] pressure on the weaker parts of the Free World defense system. Document 14 Source: Charles DeGaulle, President of France to Dean Acheson, ExComm member and advisor to President Kennedy, October 22, 1962 You may tell your President that France will support him in every way in this crisis.