The Cuban missile crisis (1961-1963) was an important juncture in the United State's foreign policy. The crisis synthesized a main factor in political relations between the "Western World" versus the "Red World". The events that took place during this conflict were mostly triggered by the United States government, under the leadership of the newly elected John Fitzgerald Kennedy Administration. Taking the importance of this conflict in concern, I believe that there is a need to discuss the Cuban Missile crisis from an American political perspective and how these issues concerned the John F. Kennedy Administration. It is important to examine the problems that faced the American President, and how external sources influenced the administration to actively interact in the Cuban conflict. The John F. Kennedy administration was forced to handle the situation the way it did, and this situation laid the foundation upon which decision making was based during the military escalation during this crisis. From the very beginning of the conflict, the Democratic party, viewed the Soviet Union's actions inside Cuban territory from a true revisionist perspective, and saw the crisis as a fundamental threat to The United States.

The Cuban missile crisis began on April the 17th, 1961, with the "Bay of Pigs" invasion, which was sponsored by the John F. Kennedy Administration. Some 1400 Cuban exiles living in Miami, Florida, trained by the US Central Intelligence Agency invaded Cuba's northern shores. Later, President Kennedy wondered; "How could I have been so stupid, to let them go ahead?."(How Could I have Been So Stupid 46) What triggered the John F. Kennedy Administration to first train these exiles, and furthermore send these into Cuba in purpose to start a revolutionary campaign against Fiedel Castro, and thereby challenge the "Red World" to combat? Why did the President allow the practices of such an invasion? To answer such questions, we should try to comprehend what the American President confronted from both international and domestic perspectives.

According to some historians, the John F. Kennedy administration was not forced to handle the conflict the way it did. These people strongly believe that it would have been more strategic to follow a diplomatic approach in solving the problems. First, the administration should have negotiated with Kurchshiev at an early stage in the conflict. This could have been done in several ways; first, in interaction with any international organization and second, by consulting directly with Kurchshiev himself. If the Kennedy administration would have communicated with the Russians, the conflict could have been resolved in a less painful way for both countries. In addition, it would have spared Cuba economic and political problems. This could also have saved the United States international reputation as being one of the greatest democratic republics on Earth.

During and after the end of the second World War, the US was internationally seen as one of the most powerful nations. President Harry S. Truman developed the Truman doctrine in the late 1940's. According to this doctrine, communism would spread rapidly all over the world, unless the United States gave ample support to nations facing a threat from communism. (My 181) Because of these shadows from early cold war conflicts, foreign relations between the Soviet Union and the United States were not very good. The shadows of the early stages in the cold war did of course change the international perspectives between the Kennedy administration and foreign nations. "Diplomacy was no longer as effective as it was before the crisis in Korea."(Jacobsen 51) Diplomacy represents the best solution to solve problems, however, it can only be used when the situation allows it. The Cuban conflict represents a situation in which diplomacy would not be effective. The critical and unique situation in Latin America made it too risky to consider negotiation. As the Soviets were viewed as being the prime aggressors in the conflict, especially in domestic American opinion, the John F. Kennedy administration had to consider if it was ready to make a deal with either Castro or Kurchshiev. Such a deal would have been to "Remove our (the US) missiles in Turkey in exchange for the removal of the Cuban missiles"(Winston 626). In US public opinion that alternative would have been out of the question and if the John F. Kennedy administration agreed to such terms, President Kennedy and the democratic party would have lost favorable public support. "Kennedy would no doubt be reproached for allowing Cuba to remain Communist."(Schlesinger 165) In addition, neither the Soviet nor the Castro regime demonstrated any interest in a peaceful diplomatic solution to the problems in Latin America.

President Kennedy had many other international problems to be concerned with other than the conflict in Cuba. For instance, Laos and Vietnam, the Berlin conflict, and Kurchshiev himself. However, Cuba always remained Kennedy's main concern due to two reasons: first, Kennedy felt responsible for the problems that followed the "Bay of pigs" invasion. Second, Cuba remained of great territorial importance for the United States. A complete invasion of Latin America by the Communists would have been very unhealthy for the US, as this would break down an important sphere of influence in the Caribbean. President Kennedy had to act promptly. Time was an important factor, as it was already confirmed that the USSR had placed Missile warheads directed towards US territory, and was in the process of installing more missiles.("Red World Versus the West Which is Stronger ?" 35) Also, the Castro regime became more powerful within Cuba, especially in rural areas. Looking back into history, the John F. Kennedy administration could easily forecast what would happen in Cuba; the communist regime would grow stronger, and gradually expand into neighboring nations. ("Soviet Threat to the Americas." 716) A similar situation was seen in Eastern Europe, Asia, and in Africa after the end of the Second World War. The Soviet union had been very successful in getting allies during the 1950's In the beginning of the 1960's the situation had changed, and the US and its allies started to gain valuable territory. "It is the US and its allies that hold a big edge over the Soviet bloc and Red China."("Arms Quarantine of Cuba" 34) Party chairman Kurchshiev was well aware of the fact that his nation was well behind in the arms' race. By supporting a dictatorship, such as Castro's in Cuba, the country was able to create a new sphere of influence in Latin America. Certain political analyzers believe that Soviet armaments of Cuba were legal. "Castro set out for Moscow to secure a promise of more protection of Cuba from Russia." (Wilson 489) If this was the case, the Russians did not do anything illegal, as Castro formally asked for the missiles against one of his enemies.

I would like to oppose this argument. Russia's intentions were illegal. The establishment of the nuclear warheads' sites was theoretically an illegal action by the USSR. If Cuba had agreed or had asked for offensive missiles, Russia was of course legally entitled to send these to Cuban territory. Furthermore, I believe that this particular affair was outside legality, and even if Castro did ask for the missiles, the Soviets should not have sent these. However, there is a controversy whether the Castro regime asked for any defensive missiles, or if the missiles just simple came with the deal of a Russian economic and political support designed for Cuba. "When we (the Russian Communist party) learned that a new socialist state had appeared not far from American shores, I (Kurchshiev) understood that it would not last long if we didn't help it... And so I decided, after consulting my colleagues to send some rocket units to Cuba."("Kennedy gave Kurchshiev what he wants" 35) The John F. Kennedy administration was therefore legally entitled to engage in the conflict, and question Russian involvement in Latin America. As party leader Kurchshiev himself stated that; "The rocket units were to be in the hands of Russian military men... ", it was quite obvious that Russia's main purpose of shipping men and high technology nuclear weapons to Cuba only with the aim to defend Cuba from the US.(Nelson 8) It was natural for President Kennedy to assume that Russia desired to have a satellite nation geographically closer to the United States. Cuba was a very important strategic location, that could be compared to Turkey in eastern Europe, and the US would have to "Protect the Caribbean from Communist aggression." (Sorensen 453)

As shown before, some revisionists believe that US actions in the Cuban Missile Crisis were not justifiable. The United Nations should have been involved from the very beginning of the conflict. According to President Kennedy; "National security must come first... we can't negotiate with a gun at our head... if they won't remove the missiles and restore status quo ante, we will have to do it ourselves."(Sorensen 695) The John F. Kennedy administration was not interested in involving the United Nations in the Cuban conflict. Even though, one advisor explained to the President that "We (the US) should go to the UN first."(Sorensen 699) The United Nations was actively involved in other conflicts during this time period, for example the problems in Berlin and in Africa, and it would have been relatively easy for the UN to get involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Kennedy administration should have gone to the UN security council before it decided to launch the naval blockade of Cuba and international territory.

According to international standards set by the United Nations, "No member (of the UN) should occupy, and/or attempt to control international waters."(Wilson 487) The United States did actually not block international water in its naval quarantine against Cuban territory. Russian ships were boarded in Cuban waters and the only incidents in international waters were the boarding of Russian ships. Due to the special circumstances concerning the nature of the transportation of unclear weapons, it was natural for the US to closely monitor the shipments between the USSR and Cuba. The USSR practiced a similar policy in the Baltic sea during the same period of time, and carefully monitored the activity in international waters outside its territory.("Threat, the Moves to Meet it." 712) The Kennedy administration had to act with speed, but still choose the best approach to the problem. By involving the United Nations, the process of decision making would have been extremely long, and proposed solutions would not been set in action until later. "The worst course of all would be for us to do nothing."(Kennedy 695) The USSR would during that excess time period, set up powerful nuclear based military installations within Cuban territory, and thereby threaten the "balance of power" in the Americas. This would have caused political instability in foreign relations between the two super powers, and it would also unstabilized political and territorial safety of nations in the already political unstable Southern Hemisphere. By analyzing the evidence given here, it is relatively clear that the US had to take the issue in its own hands; however, there are people who still oppose this theory.

Opposite to use the United Nations as an external source of diplomacy to solve the conflict, there are people who argue that it was better to maximize sanctions against Cuba, and use a violent form of diplomacy instead of a word to word situation. "The dangers of being trapped in a diplomatic wrangle" had to be eliminated, as such a situation would only give the USSR further advanced standing in form of time utility. (Schlesinger 125) The suggested alternative to the diplomatic approach with the formation of the naval blockade, which the administration followed, was to organize a "surgical strike with maximum force directed towards Soviet installations in Cuba."("President States US. Policy toward Cuba." 482) A surprise direct strike towards these installations was a safer and more effective way to solve the conflict, and get the Russians out from the Southern Hemisphere. Moreover, the naval blockade had many disadvantages over the air-strike plan. For instance, if Russian ships ignored the blockade, the United States had to fire the first shot, and thereby provoking Soviet actions elsewhere. The Soviet Union could do this in several destructive ways, such as "a blockade of US overseas bases or by more serious military move against Berlin, Turkey, and Iran."(Winston 686) In addition, a desperate Castro could trigger the Soviets to attack US ships anywhere from Guantanamo to Florida. Also, people question if there was any relationship between "trying to starve Cuba out" and getting rid of the missiles.(Winston 694) Would a naval blockade have any particular effect on Cuba ? I would answer "yes" to that question and I also strongly disagree with the people who oppose the naval blockade strategy.

The naval blockade was clearly the nearest to "non violence" that the John F. Kennedy administration could have been. A "Surgical strike" proposed by other historians would certainly have involved casualties, and would have destructed world order. By the time that the missiles would have been destroyed, the Soviet Union would have launched an attack against either Turkey, Germany, or other US allies.(Winston 625) In addition, the concept of attempting to starve the missiles out from Cuba would have worked well as long as the naval blockade remained solid and consistent. Just put yourself in Castro's situation concerning domestic politics. The country feared a revolution even before the conflict, and the majority of the people still supported Castro's dictatorship. As most of these people were very poor, a worsening of their daily life would significantly change the public opinion over the relatively new regime. Castro could not afford to start another domestic fight against guerrilla movements throughout the country, and at the same time be in the middle of an international conflict. "On 16 June 1963, demonstrations occurred in the city of Cardenas. Housewives marched into the streets beating pots and pans, and tanks were despatched by the Castro regime, to ensure détente."(Hugh 27) I believe that the enforcement of the naval blockade was a smart move by the John F. Kennedy administration, as it was forced to act fast, and in concession with US international policies. To practice "a violent form of diplomacy", was not US policy in international conflicts.(Divine 45) It is true that the naval blockade was not all that safe, but it was much safer than the "surgical strike" alternative. There was a potential possibility that Russian ships would have ignored the blockade, but then the US would have had a better excuse to attack such violators. Furthermore, from a diplomatic point of view it would have appeared more professional to confront the crisis with a military force in a naval blockade rather than in a clean strike specifically directed towards Cuban territory.

One of President Kennedy's options was to "Go in and take Cuba away from Castro."(Hugh 28) According to General Tailor, to launch a full scale invasion directed towards Cuba would have solved the problems quickly and effectively. This could have been easily achieved by a massive military force. The Russians would not have had enough time to response to such an attack, and they would most probably forget all about Cuba. In addition, neighboring countries to Cuba would have understood why such an attack would have been essential for their own well being. In addition, the United Nations would probably not have intervened, because the operation was too rapid, and too smoothly running, that the United Nations would not have had ample time to get its security council to a meeting. ("Threat, the Moves to Meet it." 109) The invasion course described in this paragraph had very few supporters in the administration.

Using excessive force against Cuban territory would only been Kennedy's last resort.(Winston 619) A full scale invasion increased the potential risk of staring another World War. This was not acceptable, because it would meant total destruction to mankind. It would also have caused a "wreckage of our (US) Latin American policy and the indictment of history for our (US) aggression." (Hugh 21) The political situation in Cuba was already unstable, and if the Castro regime was brutally overthrown, the country would surely face a civil war. Such a situation could easily have lead to an even more politically unstable Southern hemisphere.

The issue of the Latin American continent and Cuba became a crucial and interesting point in American and international political history. Even though it was almost 31 years from the climax of the Cuban Missile Crisis, there are still those who are trying to analyze what was going on in the John F. Kennedy administration, how President Kennedy and his democratic team interpreted information, and how they decoded to act. I believe that the administration was forced into the decisions that it made, and that these decisions were the right ones. These decisions became part of contemporary history and will always remind us when we were in the brink of a nuclear war.

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