One of the famous incidents of Kennedy’s presedential career was the Cuban Missile Crises. The background of the incident was in September 1962 when U-2 spy planes took pictures of Surface-to-air Missile sites being built in Cuba. This placed Cuba in a poisition to shoot down future U-2 planes. Kennedy was now in a predicament. At that point, his legislation proposals were being blocked by Republicans and the conservative Democrats. He couldn’t cause any trouble with Cuba for fear of losing more voters in the elections two-months ahead and public polls showed his lowest popularity rating of all time. The Bay of Pigs (a failed invasion attempt of Cuba) was a reminder as to how the US wasn’t as powerful as before.
The situation changed in October 15, 1962, when U-2 planes took pictures of long-range missile sites being built in Cuba. Unlike Surface-to-air Missiles which were defensive, the long range missiles had America easily within its sites. Kennedy and his advisors held an emergency meeting that listed several options ranging from not doing anything to negotiating to full-out nuclear war. While the CIA and the military wanted to invade Cuba or bomb the sites, Kennedy decided to impose a naval blockade along with the promise of an attack if another U2 plane were to be shot down.
Meanwhile Americans were unceartatin about their future and many thought nuclear war would soon be a reality. However, Kennedy’s approval ratings soared and it showed a majority of the country approved of how he was handling the crises. In fact, the day that the Russian ships turned away from the naval blockade, Nikita accused Kennedy of escalating the situation into a crises for the benefit of the Democratic Party next election.
Kennedy later recieved letters from Nikita negotiating for the removal of the missiles. However, before the US could respond, another U2 plane was shot down. Many urged Kennedy to follow up on his claim but instead he accepted the terms of the removal of the missiles from Cuba.
Later on in the elections of 1962, the Democrat majority was increased and furthermore the extra 12 supporters would help Kennedy pass his legislation. Later on, the American missiles in Turkey which put the Soviet Union in danger would also be removed. However, since Nikita’s removal was public and Kennedy’s was later done in secret, Kennedy was shown in a better light while it appeared that Nikita caved in.
So what can we learn from this incident? We can see a pattern emerging from the legendary Americans in that their fame comes from actions in danger or crises. Washington had a divided nation to bring together. Davy Crockett had his last stand at the Alamo. Harriet Tubman fought for freedom in a dangerous time after the Fugitive Slave Act. Well, here Kennedy is seen as bringning the world back from nuclear warfare. I can see some legendary Americans as sort of heroes. When there is a sense of urgency or impending danger or confusion, there is always a person they will look up to and if that person is successful, his name will be remembered in legends.
Work Cited
Simkin, John. “Cuban Missile Crises.” n. pag. Spartacus Educational. Web. 4 Oct 2011. <http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/COLDcubanmissile.htm>.