TEACHING AMERICAN HISTORY PROJECT – 2009-2012

Lesson Title – Cuban Missile Crisis From Debra St Jean

Grade - 8 Length of class period – 3-4 45 min. classes Inquiry – (What essential question are students answering, what problem are they solving, or what decision are they making?) Is the build-up of nuclear weapons a justifiable defense? Objectives (What content and skills do you expect students to learn from this lesson?) Students will:

• learn that the Cold War between the USA and the USSR came to a boiling point in October 1962, when Soviet missiles were discovered in Cuba, pointing at the Americas.

• learn about the diplomacy that took place between the two countries. • evaluate how each leader handled the crisis. • analyze the likelihood of another “Cold War” between two countries, and which

countries could possibly be involved in such a conflict. Materials (What primary sources or local resources are the basis for this lesson?) – (please attach) The primary sources used come from Digital History.com

1. The Address to the American People 2. Letter from Khrushchev to Kennedy 3. Letter from Kennedy to Khrushchev 4. Letter from Khrushchev to Kennedy

Activities (What will you and your students do during the lesson to promote learning?) In one of four groups, students will read one letter/address, summarize its content and evaluate the leader’s diplomatic skills. Then they will present their information to the rest of the class. How will you assess what students learned during this lesson? After all groups have presented, students will answer the questions at the end of the worksheet and discuss their answers. The teacher will use student responses to the questions, and the discussion to assess students.

Connecticut Grade Level Expectations- • Analyze the options available to an individual in a historical situation. • Evaluate the credibility of a speaker (e.g., hidden agendas, slants or biases). • Orally present information on social studies events and issues and support with primary

evidence. • Justify why people might have a different point of view on a historical or contemporary

issue.

Name________________________________________ Date _________________ SS# _________

THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS

Address to the American People from President John F. Kennedy

1. According to President Kennedy, how did the build‐up of nuclear bases in Cuba constitute an explicit threat to peace and security in the United States and all of the Western Hemisphere? 

2. What did the Soviets claim was the purpose of the missile build‐up in Cuba?  

3. What seven steps did the president immediately set in motion in order to halt the missile build‐up? 

a. b. c.

d. e. f. g.

4. What special message did the president give to the “captive” people of Cuba?  

5. What do you think was the intent of this message?  

Name__________________________________________ Date___________________ SS# _________

CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS

Letter from Nikita Khrushchev to President John F. Kennedy

1. What does Chairman Khrushchev claim is an American threat to his country? 

2. How would you respond to the following security question by Khrushchev to Kennedy if you were the president? 

Do you believe that you have the right to demand security for your country and the removal of such weapons that you qualify as offensive, while not recognizing the right for us?

3. What are the details of Mr. Khrushchev’s proposal? 

4. How does the Soviet government propose the U. N. Security Council be involved? 

5. How do you think our president should have responded to the Soviet proposals? 

6. How do you think President Kennedy did respond to the Soviet proposals?  

Name__________________________________________ Date ______________________ SS# ____________ LETTER FROM JOHN F. KENNEDY TO NIKITA KHRUSHCHEV

1. What does President Kennedy want to happen immediately to end the missile crisis? 

2. How soon will this problem be solved if the Soviets do what Kennedy has asked of them? 

3. What are the terms of the agreement for both the Soviet Union and the United States? 

4. Do you think that the tone of President Kennedy’s letter suggests that peace and reducing arms is possible between the two countries? Explain why or why not. 

Challenge- Use the Internet for 5 and 7.

5. What is NATO and why was it formed? 

6. How do you think NATO would have been affected if both countries had begun halting the arms race and working toward the “peace of the world?” 

7. What is the Warsaw Pact and why was it formed? 

8. How do you think the Warsaw Pact would have been affected if both countries had begun halting the arms race and working toward the “peace of the world?”  

Name ___________________________________________ Date _________________ SS# _________

LETTER TO JOHN F. KENNEDY ANNOUNCING THE WITHDRAWAL OF MISSILES

1. What does Mr. Khrushchev agree to do in order to eliminate the conflict? 

2. How does Mr. Khrushchev justify giving the Cubans arms? 

3. Whom do you think Mr. Khrushchev is implying helped the Cuban *emigres shell Havana and act as pirates in Cuban waters? Explain why you think this. 

4. Khrushchev also reminds Kennedy of his promise. What did Kennedy promise not to do? 

*Émigré – a person who emigrates for political reasons; deportee, exile, ex-patriot

5. What aggressive American acts does Khrushchev mention to Kennedy? Why do you think Khrushchev includes this in his letter? 

6. What does Khrushchev accuse Kennedy of doing in regards to Cuba? 

7. Throughout this letter, Khrushchev repeatedly talks about his desire to limit arms, make peace, and avoid nuclear disaster. Is it your belief that Mr. Khrushchev’s desire for peace is sincere?  Explain why or why not.