Procedures

• SET UP:

  This lesson offers several options for you to use with your students whether you are teaching in class, using a hybrid model, or engaging through distance learning. It can be completed in steps as a class or students can move at their own pace and complete the activities independently.

  You can post links to the videos in the lesson along with the related handouts and engage in discussion to share responses on a discussion board or learning management system.

  You can also save and share the following Google resources for students to use with this lesson.

  HANDOUT: Cuban Missile Crisis Vocabulary Chart (Google Doc)

  HANDOUT: Cuban Missile Crisis Graphic Organizer (Google Doc)

  In Google, choose "File" then "Make a Copy" to get your own copy. You can make any needed adjustments in the instructions such as which activities students need to complete, when it is due, etc. and then make it available to them via Google.

• WARM-UP:

  At the start of class, ask students to consider the following questions and engage in class discussion to provide a foundation for the lesson:

  • What do you know about the Cuban Missile Crisis?

  • What countries were involved in this conflict?

  • Who were the leaders involved?

• INTRODUCTION:

  Ask students to view the following introductory video clip and have them respond to the prompt on their graphic organizer.

  Video Clip 1: State of Global Affairs Prior to the Cuban Missile Crisis (6:02)

  Marc Selverstone discussed the global circumstances leading into the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

  Engage in class discussion on the global geopolitical, ideological, and military environment in the 1940s-1960s that Marc Selverstone discussed to frame the video clips in this lesson.

• EXPLORATION:

  Have students view the following collection of video clips. They can watch each video independently, view a video with a partner, or you can jigsaw them by assigning videos to students. Students should respond to the questions on the handout. After viewing the videos, use the accompanying questions to guide class discussion.

  Video Clip 2: 1962 Images Over Cuba (3:17)

  Marc Selverstone discussed the photographs that were taken over Cuba in October 1962 that revealed the presence of missiles and the reaction of President John F. Kennedy.

  • What did the photos that were shown to Pres. Kennedy in October 1962 show?

  • Why was this significant?

  • What action did Pres. Kennedy take?

  • How could the release of these bombs affect the United States?

• Video Clip 3: JFK's Advisory Group (4:02)

  Marc Selverstone talked about the group of advisors to President Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

  • Describe the members who were part of Pres. Kennedy's advisory group, ExComm, as Marc Selverstone discussed.

  • Why were Berlin and East Germany a significant factor in this equation?

• Video Clip 4: General Curtis LeMay and the Cuban Missile Crisis (5:55)

  Archival audio tape from the University of Virginia's Miller Center is played from a meeting in the White House in October 1962 with President Kennedy and his advisors as they deliberated options to deal with the Cuban Missile Crisis. Marc Selverstone discussed the relationship between General LeMay and President Kennedy.

  • Summarize Gen. Curtis LeMay's position regarding implementing the blockade strategy as is presented in the video.

  • What role did Gen. LeMay play in the crisis?

  • Describe the relationship between President Kennedy and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

• Video Clip 5: 1962 Conversation Between Ike and JFK (4:14)

  Archival audio tape from the University of Virginia's Miller Center is played from a conversation between former President Eisenhower and President John F. Kennedy on October 22, 1962, as they discussed the options to resolve the crisis in Cuba.

  • What was former Pres. Eisenhower's perspective on a strategy for dealing with the Cuban Missile Crisis?

  • How does Marc Selverstone characterize the positions of the former presidents regarding their thinking about why the missiles are present in Cuba?

• Video Clip 6: Conversation with JFK and Congressional Leaders in 1962 (6:32)

  An excerpt from archival audio tape from October 22, 1962, from the University of Virginia's Miller Center is played from a conversation with Sen. Richard Russell (D-GA) and President Kennedy during a meeting with Congressional leaders discussing U.S. actions toward Cuba.

  • Explain the discourse between Sen. Richard Russell and Pres. Kennedy during their meeting regarding how to address the crisis.

  • Explain the significance of the blockade as Marc Selverstone discussed.

  • What was Pres. Kennedy's great concern?

• Video Clip 7: 1962 Letter from Soviet Leader Khrushchev to President Kennedy (5:36)

  From the JFK Library collection, a portion of a letter from the Premier of the Soviet Union Nikita Khrushchev to President Kennedy dated October 27, 1962, detailing his proposal to resolve the Cuban Missile Crisis. Marc Selverstone discussed the letter and the U.S. response.

  • What was Khrushchev's proposal that he presented in his letter to Pres. Kennedy?

  • How did Pres. Kennedy view this proposal?

  • What was Pres. Kennedy's response to Khrushchev?

• Video Clip 8: 1962 Meeting with JFK and His Advisers (4:17)

  A portion of an audio recording from a conversation with President John F. Kennedy and his advisors on October 25, 1962, discussing a passenger ship that approached the blockade line. Marc Selverstone discussed the implications.

  • Explain the challenge the administration faced as they considered their approach to stopping a passenger ship that was nearing the blockade line.

  • How did this fit into the broader strategy of enforcing the blockade?

• Video Clip 9: Effect of the Cuban Missile Crisis on Americans (2:04)

  Marc Selverstone talked about how the Cuban Missile Crisis affected Americans and how President Kennedy was viewed once it was resolved.

  • According to Marc Selverstone, how did the American people react to this crisis as it unfolded?

  • How did people view Pres. Kennedy once this crisis was resolved?

• Video Clip 10: Adlai Stevenson and the Cuban Missile Crisis (3:38)

  Marc Selverstone talked about U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Ambassador Adlai Stevenson's role in resolving the Cuban Missile Crisis.

  • What role did Adlai Stevenson play in this crisis?

  • How was he viewed after the crisis was resolved in some circles? Why?

• Video Clip 11: Discussion to Resolve the Cuban Missile Crisis (5:45)

  Portions of audio recordings are played from a conversation with President John F. Kennedy and his advisors on October 27, 1962, as they discuss Khrushchev's proposal, and their options to consider, to end the Cuban Missile Crisis. Marc Selverstone discussed the backchannels President Kennedy used to communicate throughout this time.

  • Discuss the deliberations Pres. Kennedy has with his advisors regarding ending the crisis as were presented in the clip.

  • Describe the significance of the backchannels that were used to communicate throughout the crisis.

• CONCLUSION:

  Have students use the information from their notes and class discussion and write their responses to the following prompts:

  • What factors, both global and domestic, contributed to the Cuban Missile Crisis?

  • Consider the characteristics of the leaders involved (on the advisory board as well as in Cuba and the Soviet Union) and explain the role that leadership played throughout this crisis.

  • What perspectives did President Kennedy and his advisory team have to consider as they weighed their options on how to solve this crisis?

  • How were they able to successfully resolve this crisis without going to war?

• EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:

  President John F. Kennedy's Oval Office Address on October 22, 1962:

  Students can view archival primary source videos of President Kennedy's address in which he described the evidence that was discovered in Cuba as a result of U.S. surveillance and the implications of this transformation. President Kennedy described the actions the U.S. would take regarding the missile crisis in Cuba or additional threats around the world.

  They can respond to the related questions on the handout and then compare their notes from the previously viewed videos that focus on the strategies that were being considered and evaluate the course of action President Kennedy chose to take after considering the options.

  Bell Ringer: President John F. Kennedy Oval Office Address: Cuban Missile Crisis (18:00)

• Draw parallels to today:

  Research current events and choose one to compare what is presently happening, to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Summarize the situation and respond to the following prompt:

  If you were a member of the president's advisory board, what course of action would you recommend?