The Cuban Revolution
How effectively did the USA
contain the spread of
Communism?
Focus Points
This Key Question will be explored through case studies of the following:
• America and events in Cuba, 1959–62
• American involvement in Vietnam.
Specified Content
• Events of the Cold War
• Case studies of:
– American reactions to the Cuban revolution, including the missile crisis and its
aftermath
– American involvement in the Vietnam War, e.g. reasons for involvement,
tactics/strategy, reasons for withdrawal
You do not need to know about Korea (next year’s group does).
Main Resource - Walsh – 336 – 366
Information on your exams –
Length of time
Paper 1
2 HOURS
What’s it
worth?
40%
Description
You’ll have to answer three questions.
two questions from Section A (Core Content) and one question
from Section B (Depth Study).
WRITTEN EXAM
PAPER
Section A
20th WORLD (two questions)
Section B
DEPTH STUDY (one question)
All questions are in the form of structured essays, split into three
parts: (a), (b) and (c).
60 marks
Externally marked
Paper 2
2 HOURS
33%
You’ll answer source questions (6) on
CASE STUDY
(Why had international peace collapsed by 1939?)
Candidates answer six questions on one prescribed topic taken
from the Core Content. There is a range of source material
relating to each topic.
For the examination in 2015, the prescribed topics are:
19th century Core Content (Option A):
• What caused the First World War? (June examination)
20th century Core Content (Option B):
• Why had international peace collapsed by 1939? (June
examination)
50 marks
Externally marked
Paper 4
(paper 3 is
coursework
we’re doing
paper 4
instead)
1 HOUR
27%
You’ll answer source questions on your
DEPTH STUDY
Candidates answer one question on a Depth Study (from a
choice of two).
40 marks
Externally marked
This booklet focuses on Paper 2 revision. Although it’s possible that content
you’ll revise here could come up on Paper 1.
Read pages 347 – 352 in preparation for your next class.
The Cuban Missile Crisis 1962
AIM – To gain knowledge and source skill to answer Paper 2
questions on the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.
Preparation – before going further read the information in your
textbook from page 346 to 352.
REVISION TASKS
Below IGCSE questions and answers have been typed for you to make sure you know the necessary
course content about the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Tasks you could set yourself to help you revise this material are –
1. Simply cover the answers and test yourself or a partner.
2. Make revision cards from the questions and answers listed below.
3. Look at the answers for important questions and pick out key words from each statement. Use
these key-words to write mneumonic.
4. Make Spider-diagrams or thought-maps depicting the answers.
5. Make PowerPoints depicting the answers.
6. Write a rap (ok that might be taking it too far).
5 MARK DESCRIBING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. (FROM 2005 +)
YOU’LL NOTICE THAT MANY OF THEM ARE VERY SIMILAR!
Describe the immediate impact on US–Cuban relations (up to January 1961) of Castro coming to
power.
 ‘It was tense as the USA had supported Batista, but he had been overthrown by Castro who they
feared would be communist.’
 ‘The USA refused to buy Cuban sugar in July 1960 and in October 1960 ended all trade with Cuba.’
 ‘In January 1961, the USA broke off diplomatic relations as it was unable to tolerate Soviet influence so
close.’
 ‘Castro took over some American businesses in Cuba, especially agricultural businesses. He took their
land and distributed it to his supporters among Cuba’s peasant population.’
 ‘There were thousands of Cuban exiles in the USA who had fled from Castro’s rule. They formed
powerful pressure groups demanding action against Castro.’ (Not USSR weapons.)
Describe how relations between the USA and Cuba became worse when Castro took power.
 ‘It was tense as the USA had supported Batista but he had been overthrown by Castro, who they
feared would be communist.’
 ‘The USA continued to support exiled Cubans.’
 ‘The USA refused to buy Cuban sugar from July 1960 and in October 1960 all trade with Cuba was
ended.’
 ‘In January 1961, the USA broke off diplomatic relations as it was unable to tolerate Soviet influence so
close.’
 ‘The USA was unwilling to get directly involved even though they were concerned as Castro took over
American owned companies and land.’
 ‘Kennedy supported exiles who tried to overthrow Castro at the Bay of Pigs’
Describe relations between the USA and Cuba from 1959 to the Bay of Pigs invasion of 1961
 ‘It was tense as the USA had supported Batista, but he had been overthrown by Castro who they
feared would be Communist. The USA continued to support exiled Cubans.’
 ‘In Jan.1961, the USA broke off diplomatic relations as it was unable to tolerate Soviet influence so
close.’
 ‘The USA refused to buy Cuban sugar from July 1960 and in Oct 1960 ended all trade with Cuba.’
 ‘The USA was unwilling to get directly involved even though they were concerned as Castro took over
US owned companies and land.’
 ‘Kennedy supported exiles who tried to overthrow Castro in the Bay of Pigs incident.
 Kennedy was humiliated. Kennedy feared other countries becoming Communist.’
What actions did Kennedy consider in response to Khrushchev putting nuclear missiles on Cuba?
 ‘Kennedy considered doing nothing.’
 ‘Kennedy considered making an immediate air attack to destroy the nuclear bases so that it would
destroy the missiles before they were ready to use.’
 ‘He considered all out invasion of Cuba by air and sea. This would get rid of the missiles and Castro as
well.’
 ‘He considered diplomatic pressure. He could get the UN or other bodies to intervene and negotiate.’
 ‘Kennedy considered imposing a blockade. A ban was to be placed on the Soviet Union bringing in any
further military supplies to Cuba, enforced by the US navy who would stop and search Soviet ships. He
could call for the Soviet Union to withdraw what was there already.’
What actions did the USA take against Cuba before the Bay of Pigs invasion?
 ‘Relations were tense as the USA had supported Batista, but he had been overthrown by Castro who it
was feared would be Communist. The USA continued to support exiled Cubans.’
 ‘The USA was unwilling to get directly involved even though they were concerned as Castro took over
US owned companies and land.’
 ‘The USA refused to buy Cuban sugar from July 1960 and in October 1960 ended all trade with Cuba.’
 ‘In January 1961, the USA broke off diplomatic relations as it was unable to tolerate Soviet influence so
close to the USA.’
Describe the USA’s response to Castro’s takeover of Cuba.
 ‘They refused to buy Cuban sugar.’
 ‘In October 1960 they ended all trade with Cuba.’
 ‘In January 1961 they stopped diplomatic relations with Cuba.’
 ‘The USA were worried that Cuba, only 150km from the southern coast of America, had become
communist.’
 ‘The CIA were authorised to investigate ways of overthrowing Castro.’
 ‘Kennedy supported Cuban exiles who tried to overthrow Castro at the Bay of Pigs.’
Describe the Bay of Pigs incident.
 ‘The USA decided to support those Cuban exiles forced out by Castro.’
 ‘It was an attempt to overthrow Castro.’
 ‘The exiles received training and weapons from the CIA.’
 ‘Kennedy supported an invasion by these exiles.’
 ‘There was no popular uprising and the exiles were easily killed or captured by the larger Cuban
forces.’
 ‘Although not directly implicated, Kennedy was humiliated.’
7 MARK EXPLAINING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. (FROM 2005 +)
Why was Cuba important to the USA?
 ‘The USA had built a huge naval base at Guantanamo.’
 ‘American companies had invested heavily in Cuba, especially in mining and agriculture.’
 ‘The USA had helped Batista to take power.’
 ‘Cuba was only 150 km away from the USA’s southern coast.’
‘Cuba was very important to the USA because it was located only 150 kilometres away from the southern
coast of the USA. When Castro, a communist, took over Cuba, the USA was increasingly worried that his
communist ideas might spread to other countries in the region. This could threaten America’s security.’
Why did Khrushchev send missiles to Cuba?
 ‘To bargain with the USA.’
 ‘To test the will of Kennedy.’
 ‘To gain the upper hand in the arms race.
 ‘To defend Cuba.’
 ‘To trap the USA into war.’
B etty
T ook
G uns
D own
T own
‘Khrushchev wanted to bargain with the USA. If he had missiles in Cuba he could agree to remove them if the
USA removed their missiles from, for example, Turkey.’
‘In the context of the Cold War, he was trying to see how strong the USA really was and to test the new
President.’
‘Khrushchev was so concerned about the missile gap between the USSR and the USA that he would take
every opportunity to close it and gain the upper hand in the arms race.’
‘Following the Bay of Pigs incident he was genuinely defending communism in Cuba.’
‘The missiles were a trap. He wanted the USA to find them and be drawn into a nuclear war.’
Explain what Khrushchev hoped to achieve by putting nuclear weapons on Cuba.
 ‘To bargain with the USA.’
 ‘To test the will of Kennedy.’
 ‘To gain the upper hand in the arms race.’
 ‘To defend Cuba.’
 ‘To trap the USA into war.’
‘Khrushchev wanted to bargain with the USA. If he had missiles in Cuba, he could agree to remove them if the
USA removed their missiles from Turkey.’
‘In the context of the Cold War, he was trying to see how strong the USA really was and to test the new
President.’
‘Khrushchev was so concerned about the missile gap between the USSR and the USA that he would take
every opportunity to close it.’
‘Following the Bay of Pigs incident, he was genuinely defending communism in Cuba.’
‘The missiles were a trap. He wanted the USA to find them and be drawn into a nuclear war.’
Why was the Bay of Pigs invasion a failure?
 ‘Kennedy did not organise a direct invasion.’
 ‘Kennedy misjudged Castro’s defences and support.’
 ‘The Cuban exiles invading were not soldiers.’
 ‘Kennedy inherited the plan to invade.’
‘Rather than a direct invasion, Kennedy supplied arms, equipment and transport for 1400 anti-Castro exiles to
invade Cuba and overthrow him.’
‘It was thought that there would be little resistance and that the Cuban population would flock to support the
exile invasion. The exiles were met by 20,000 Cuban troops and the population gave no support to the exiles.’
‘The exiles were not professional soldiers. They had taken advice from the CIA, but, if success was to be
guaranteed, US troops were needed with aerial assistance.’
‘Kennedy inherited the plan to invade Cuba from Eisenhower. It was prepared by the CIA and Kennedy may
not have scrutinised the plan thoroughly enough.’
Why did the Cuban Missile Crisis cause so much alarm?
 ‘Russian missiles were close and therefore a threat to the USA.’
 ‘A nuclear attack could be imminent.’
 ‘It gave strength to Cuba.’
 ‘It was a challenge to Kennedy.’
 ‘It was a threat to world peace.’
 ‘Communism could spread.’
‘If the bases became operational much of the USA would be brought in range of a Soviet missile attack.’
‘It increased the fear of the spread of Communism in the region where Cuba had already become Communist.’
‘It seemed that Khrushchev was gaining the upper hand being so close and that the missile gap was closing.’
‘The USSR wanted bargaining power to get the USA to remove its missiles from Turkey.’
‘It was a threat to USA supremacy in the arms race.’
Why did the Bay of Pigs invasion take place in April 1961?
 ‘Cuban exiles demanded action.’
 ‘US property was taken over.’
 ‘The President authorised it.’
 ‘The media exerted pressure.’
 ‘The USSR became Cuba’s friend.’
‘Large numbers of Cubans, who supported Batista, fled from Cuba when Castro took control. These exiles
hoped to return and therefore they put pressure on the US government to help them.’
‘Castro took over many US businesses and distributed land to Cuban peasants even though that land
belonged to American citizens.’
‘President Eisenhower wanted to overthrow Castro because of his communist beliefs, and, therefore he
authorised the CIA to investigate ways to remove Castro.’
‘Pressure groups found support from the American media, who produced a relentless stream of criticism of the
Castro regime. This influenced government.’
‘In the Summer of 1960, Castro allied himself with the USSR. Khrushchev signed a trade agreement giving
Cuba $100 million in economic aid. This annoyed the US government.’
‘Castro started to receive arms from the USSR.’
‘Kennedy was not prepared to tolerate a Soviet satellite in the USA’s sphere of influence.’
8 MARK MINI-ESSAY QUESTIONS AND SKELETON ANSWERS. (FROM 2005 +)
‘The main reason Khrushchev put missiles on Cuba was for defensive purposes.’ How far do you agree
with this statement? Explain your answer.
DEFENSIVE
 ‘Khrushchev was anxious to defend Cuba. It was the only Communist state in the Western hemisphere
and it had become Communist willingly, not as a result of force by the Red Army.’
 ‘Cuba was in “Uncle Sam’s backyard” and the USA was so concerned that it carried out a practice
invasion of Cuba involving 40,000 marines. The USSR wanted to defend it against possible attack.’
OR
AGGRESSIVE
 ‘Khrushchev was aware the USA had far more long range nuclear missiles than the USSR. The USA
had missiles in Turkey. The USSR had more medium range missiles which could reach most of the
USA from Cuba.’
 ‘Khrushchev probably hoped to strengthen his own position in the USSR by forcing Kennedy to allow
the missiles or at least get Kennedy to give some concessions.’
How far could the USSR be blamed for the Cuban Missile Crisis? Explain your answer.
USSR
‘The USSR was to blame because they placed nuclear missiles on Cuba. Medium range missiles could reach
most of the USA from Cuba and the USA felt threatened by this. The nuclear missiles were too close for
comfort.’
OR
US
‘The USA was to blame for the crisis. At the Bay of Pigs, the Americans had tried to overthrow Castro’s regime
and failed. Castro feared that America may try to attack Cuba again and he asked the USSR to provide arms
to protect his country.’
‘Khrushchev gained a victory in the Cuban Missile Crisis.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer.
Points in Agreement –
 ‘Khrushchev was following an incredibly risky strategy. He must have known he would cause a crisis.
What was he really doing? He was able to claim a personal triumph as Cuba remained a useful
ally close to the USA.’
 ‘In the USSR, the fact that he had been forced to back down was quickly forgotten and instead his role
of responsible peacemaker, willing to make the first move to compromise, was highlighted.’
Points in Disagreement –
 ‘The crisis damaged Khrushchev’s prestige, despite the fact he claimed the crisis was a victory for the
USSR. Some leading Soviet politicians were angry that their country had been forced to back down.
They played a significant part in Khrushchev’s dismissal in 1964.’
 ‘Kennedy came out of the crisis with a greatly improved reputation in his own country and
throughout the West. He had stood up to Khrushchev and forced him to back down.’
Point for Conclusion ‘Both men realised that the crisis had given the world a serious scare and were anxious to ensure it did not
happen again. It was agreed to set up a ‘hot line’ between Washington and Moscow to enable direct
communication to take place. In 1963 a Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed.’
Which leader, Kennedy or Khrushchev, handled the Cuban Missile Crisis better?
Explain your answer
KHRUSHCHEV
 ‘Khrushchev was following a risky strategy. He must have known he would cause a crisis. What was he
really doing? He was able to claim a personal triumph as Cuba remained a useful ally close to the
USA.’
 ‘In the Soviet Union the fact that he had been forced to back down was quickly forgotten and instead
his role of responsible peacemaker, willing to make the first move to compromise, was highlighted.’
 ‘In the long term, Khrushchev achieved the removal of NATO missiles from Turkey.’
 ‘The crisis damaged Khrushchev’s prestige, despite the fact he claimed the crisis was a victory for the
USSR. Some leading Soviet politicians were angry that their country had been forced to back down.
They played a significant part in Khrushchev’s dismissal in 1964.’
KENNEDY

‘Kennedy came out of the crisis with a greatly improved reputation in his own country and throughout
the West. He had stood up to Khrushchev and forced him to back down.’
 ‘Following two letters from Khrushchev, Kennedy decided to reply to the first and not the second,
accepting the offer made for the removal of missiles and this approach worked as the bases were
dismantled.’
BOTH MEN
‘Both men realised that the Crisis had given the world a serious scare and were anxious to ensure it did not
happen again. It was agreed to set up a ‘hot-line’ between Washington and Moscow to enable direct
communication to take place. In 1963 a Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed.’
‘Khrushchev handled the Cuban Crisis better than Kennedy.’ How far do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer.
KHRUSHCHEV WAS BETTER
 ‘Khrushchev was following an incredibly risky strategy. He must have known he would cause a crisis.
What was he really doing? He was able to claim a personal triumph as Cuba remained a useful ally
close to America.’
 ‘In the Soviet Union the fact that he had been forced to back down was quickly forgotten and instead
his role of responsible peacemaker, willing to make the first move to compromise, was highlighted.’
 ‘The invasion known as the Bay of Pigs was unsuccessful and although the US denied any
involvement, Kennedy had been humiliated.’
KENNEDY WAS BETTER
 ‘The crisis damaged Khrushchev’s prestige, despite the fact he claimed the crisis was a victory for the
Soviet Union. Some leading Soviet politicians were angry that their country had been forced to back
down. They played a significant part in Khrushchev’s dismissal in 1964.’
 ‘Kennedy came out of the crisis with a greatly improved reputation in his own country and throughout
the West. He had stood up to Khrushchev and forced him to back down.’
 ‘Following two letters from Khrushchev, Kennedy decided to reply to the first and not the second,
accepting the offer made for the removal of missiles and this approach worked as the bases were
dismantled.’
A POINT FOR CONCLUSION ‘Both men realised that the Crisis had given the world a serious scare and were anxious to ensure it did not
happen again. It was agreed to set up a ‘hot-line’ between Washington and Moscow to enable direct
communication to take place. In 1963 a Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed.’
‘The USA gained more than the USSR from the Cuban Missile Crisis.’ How far do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer.
USA GAINED MORE
 ‘The USA gained much for its new President, Kennedy, with a greatly improved reputation in the USA
and the West. He had stood up to Khrushchev and forced him to back down.’
 ‘The USA had the nuclear weapons removed from their doorstep and, therefore, removed the danger
for nearly all US major cities of a nuclear attack.’
USSR GAINED MORE


‘The USSR had left Cuba safe and Cuba became a useful base to support communists in South
America.’
‘Khrushchev did get the USA to withdraw its nuclear missiles from Turkey, although Khrushchev had to
agree that this withdrawal was to be kept secret so he was unable to use it for propaganda purposes.’
CONCLUDING POINT
‘Both the USA and the USSR gained from the Crisis because the world had been given a serious
scare and both were anxious to ensure that it did not happen again. It was agreed to set up a “hot
line” between Washington and Moscow to enable direct communication to take place. In 1963 a
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed.’
‘The Cuban Missile Crisis was a success for the US policy of containment.’ How far do you agree with
this statement?
Explain your answer.
SUCCESS
 ‘Kennedy could claim that he had stood up to Khrushchev and his decisive action removed the threat of
a nuclear base in Cuba.’
 ‘Kennedy had shown Khrushchev that he would not accept the expansion of direct Soviet military action
and influence near the USA.’
 ‘The US policy of containment was successful in Cuba because Kennedy increased his reputation at
home and worldwide by avoiding war and forcing Khrushchev to back down.
 This was the beginning of Khrushchev’s fall from power, but it also made Soviet leaders wary of their
actions which might offend the USA.’
NOT A SUCCESS
 ‘The US foreign policy of containment was not successful because Cuba remained a Communist state
despite the removal of missiles, the Bay of Pigs incident and the withdrawal of trade.’
 ‘Cuba considered itself a strong ally of the USSR and could depend on it for protection and
considerable aid.’
 ‘The price the USA had to pay for the removal of Soviet missiles was the removal of US missiles in
Turkey, thus weakening US containment policy.’
 ‘The failure of the US to remove Communism from its doorstep in Cuba, meant that other Communist
groups were encouraged later in Central America, such as Nicaragua and El Salvador.’
**** You should make every effort to learn this final argument off as it could
come up on Paper 2. Practise reciting the points with a partner. One of you
should state a ‘Success’ point then the other a ‘Not a Success’ point and so on.
A Basic Pattern for ALL Source
Questions…….
CONTENT – State the Obvious. The source tells
me/shows……. This may mean that…………..
A cartoon about the peace negotiations published in a British newspaper in 1919
ORIGIN – State what’s going on immediately around the source?
What’s its provenance? Who published it? When? Why?
PURPOSE – State what’s going on in History around the time the source was
written/drawn. Can context help you explain the author’s/artist’s purpose?
Remember C.O.P. Content, Origin, Purpose.
CARTOON SOURCE QUESTIONS
Examine the example below then try writing answers for the questions that follow
a cartoon published in the early 60’s, author unknown
CONTENT (so ‘in the source I see…… this may mean…… x3)
In the source I see an array of soldiers firing arrows at each other.
This may mean the characters (soldiers), represent the U.S and the U.S.S.R.
In the source I see that they are in a battle with bows and arrows.
This may mean that they are against each other in wits, intelligence, ideologies, and power.
In the source I see that they are directly firing at each other.
This may imply direct contact, which they had.
In the source I see that there are bombs of mass destruction on both sides.
This may mean that the situation is extremely dangerous.
In the source I see symmetry and identical drawings on both opposing sides.
This may mean that both sides are fairly even in power.
ORIGIN (talk about the time and author – could they be bias?)
TIME – This cartoon was published around the time of the Cuban Missile Crises.
AUTHOR – The author is unknown I’m therefore not aware if they are likely to have held a particular
perspective or not. (most cartoons on your test-paper will have the country of origin printed below
them)
PURPOSE (talk about the context, what’s going on at that time and say what you think the main
purpose of the source is)
The purpose of the cartoon is probably to raise awareness of the Cold War. The general context is the
cold war and nuclear weaponry. I know that Kennedy and Khrushchev were at extreme odds with each other.
Their clashing of ideologies led to the Cuban missile crises. The confrontation could have ended with the
detonation of nuclear weaponry and another War. The artist probably wanted to emphasize that the world we
knew could end in a split second.
A cartoon published in 1962
Question – What is the message of this source?
A cartoon published in Britain, 17 October 1962, President Kennedy is on the left, Khrushchev is
on the right (pruning means ‘cutting back’)
Question – What is the message of this source?
Further source questions.

Read the following information and the sources before answering the questions which follow.
The History of the Cuban Conflict
Cuba is a large island just 160km from Florida in the southern USA. It had long been an
American ally. Americans owned most of the businesses on the island and they had a large
naval base there. Then in ’59 after a three year GUERRILLA campaign, Fidel Castro
overthrew the American-backed dictator Batista. With a new pro-Communist state in what it
regarded as its own ‘sphere of influence’ this was going to be a real test of the USA’S policy
of containment
SOURCE A
Fidel Castro triumphantly entered Havana in 1959 promising democracy and freedom. It soon became
apparent that Castro had sold out to Khrushchev. By 1961 Castro’s policy had led to a formal break between
the United States and Cuba.
From an American television programme made in 1962.
Looking back President Kennedy said he thought that US policy in Cuba – backing the hated
dictator Batista – had itself been responsible for the strength of Communism in the first
place.
SOURCE B
I believe there is no country in the world whose economic colonisation, humiliation and exploitation were worse
than in Cuba, partly as a consequence of US policy during the Batista regime. I believe that, without being
aware of it, we conceived and created the Castro movement, starting from scratch.
President Kennedy speaking in 1963
The Bay of Pigs Invasion
In April 1961 President Kennedy supplied arms, equipment and transport for 1400 antiCastro exiles to invade Cuba and overthrow him. The exiles landed at the Bay of Pigs. They
were met by 20,000 Cuban troops armed with tanks and modern weapons. The invasion
failed disastrously. Castro captured or killed them all within days. To Cuba and the Soviet
Union the invasion suggested that the USA was unwilling to get directly involved in Cuba.
The Soviet Leader Khrushchev was scornful of Kennedy’s pathetic attempt to oust
Communism from Cuba.
The Soviet supplies Cuba with arms
After the Bay of Pigs, Soviet arms flooded into Cuba. In May 1962, the Soviet Union
announced publicly for the first time that it was supplying Cuba with arms.
SOURCE C
Map showing the area of the USA threatened by Soviet missiles in Cuba.
SOURCE D
The missiles placed on Cuba were estimated to have an atomic warhead power of about half of the current
missile capacity of the entire Soviet Union. The photographs taken indicated that the missiles were directed at
certain American cities. It was estimated that within a few minutes of their being fired 80 million Americans
would be dead.
From a book about the Cuban Missile Crisis, written by Robert Kennedy.
SOURCE E
Khrushchev claimed that the Cuban missiles were defensive. In the early 60's both the US and the USSR had
nuclear missiles, but the range was short. The US placed nuclear missiles in Turkey, where they could reach
Soviet cities, claiming they were defensive to protect NATO countries.
The Soviets could not reach the US with their missiles, and so arguably had no deterrent against a US strike.
Thus Kruschev a plausible argument in saying that the Cuban missiles were defensive whether or not he was
sincere is a different matter.
From a modern historian writing in 2007
Questions (these questions are to develop understanding – they are
not exam questions)
1. For what reason did Khrushchev claim missiles were placed in
Cuba (Source E)?
2. For what other possible reasons could missiles have been
stationed in Cuba?
3. Are D and E contradictory?
The Course of the Crisis
SOURCE F
Headlines from a British newspaper, 23 October 1962.
SOURCE G
Even when people were enjoying themselves having a drink in the student bar, the conversation turned to
Cuba. What would happen? Would it mean the end of the world? Everyone felt so helpless. There was nothing
you could do to prevent destruction, except pray. Special prayers were said in churches. The end of the crisis
was greeted with a tremendous feeling of relief.
Memories of a British university student who was nineteen in 1962.
THE OUTCOME OF THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS
SOURCE H
I have been informed by Chairman Khrushchev that all of the Soviet nuclear weapons in Cuba will be
withdrawn within 30 days. This goes a long way to reducing the danger which faced the United States four
weeks ago. I have this afternoon instructed the Secretary of Defence to lift our naval quarantine.
President Kennedy announcing the end of the Cuban Crisis, 1962.
SOURCE I
We agreed to remove our missiles and bombers on condition that the President of the USA promised there
would be no invasion of Cuba by the forces of the United States. Finally Kennedy gave in and agreed to give
us such an assurance. It was a great victory for us, a spectacular success without having to fire a single shot.
From Khrushchev’s memoirs published in 1971.
SOURCE J
In 1961 we increased our military aid to Cuba. We were sure the Americans would never agree to the
existence of Castro’s Cuba. They feared, and we hoped, that a Socialist Cuba might become a magnet that
would attract other Latin American countries to socialism.
We had to find an effective deterrent to American interference in the Caribbean,
The Cuba Crisis was a triumph of Soviet foreign policy and a personal triumph in my own career. Today Cuba
exists as an independent socialist country right in front of America. Cuba’s existence is good propaganda. We
behaved with dignity and forced the United States to demobilise and to recognise Cuba.
From Khrushchev’s memoirs, written in 1971.
SOURCE K
Even after it was all over (the President) made no statement attempting to take credit for himself or for his
administration for what had occurred. He instructed all (his staff) that no interview should be given, no
statement made, which would claim any kind of victory. He respected Khrushchev for properly determining
what was in his own country’s interests and in the interests of mankind. If it was a triumph, it was a triumph for
the next generation and not for any particular government or people.
Written by Robert Kennedy in his book ‘13 Days’.
SOURCE L
President Kennedy will be remembered as the President who helped to bring the thaw in the Cold War. This
was always his aim but only after Cuba did he really act. That crisis left its mark on him, he recognised how
frightening were the consequences of misunderstandings between East and West.
President Kennedy was shot dead by a gunman in Texas in November 1963. This is from his obituary in the
British newspaper, the Guardian.
Exam-Style Source Questions Cross-Referencing Questions
Question - How far do sources I and J agree? Explain your answer
using details from the sources.
Plan of Attack; Highlight agreements in one colour, disagreements in another.
 Two/three sentences on Agreements, including two details; one from each source.
 Two/three sentences on Disagreements, including two details; one from each source.

‘Overall…..’ sentence.
Main tip – Get the big picture! Obviously you’ll read the sources and highlight details that agree/disagree but try
and pick up the overall tone of each source so you can compare that as well. Maybe one source is more positive
than the other, maybe one source is a judgement while the other is just a commentary, maybe one source is
direct while the other offers implications.
Most common mistake – Omission is not the same as disagreement! Just because one source doesn’t mention
something doesn’t mean that it disagrees with a source which does. Identifying omissions is not enough – it’s
Level 2 stuff.
Here’s a mark-scheme which might help you to write an answer Level 1 – REPEAT (1)
Source A says………………... Source B says…………………
Level 2 – IDENTIFY OMISSIONS (2)
Source A says nothing about ………………..but B does.
Level 3 – DESCRIBE AGREEMENT OR DISAGREEMENT (3-4)
Both sources show………………………...
Both sources mention……………………………………..
or
The sources disagree in their overall opinion of………………………………..
They also give different impressions of ………………………….
Level 4 – BOTH OF THE ABOVE (4-5)
Level 5 – ADD ‘OVERALL’ STATEMENT (5-6/7)
Add the following to the two paragraphs above…..
Overall, B solidly supports A in emphasizing t………………………
but the tone of B is different to A; B gives a………………………………
Cross-Referencing for Proof!
Question – K states that the Cuban crisis ‘left it’s mark on Kennedy’/
Does Source B prove that Source K is right? Explain your answer
using details from the source and your own knowledge.
Plan of Attack; Highlight similarities and differences.
 STATE THE OBVIOUS. What’s the content of the sources and what form do they take?
 COMPARE CONTENT. What are the similarities/differences?
 EXPLAIN. Is the content different because of the purpose/form of the source?
 DETAIL = CROSS-REFERENCE. Use details in the source to help you say if the sources can or cannot
work together.
Main tip – Look for compatibility. Even if the sources sound totally different could they possibly work together.
Most common mistake – ONLY examining the provenance and ignoring differences in content or the other way
around.
Here’s a mark-scheme which might help you to write an answer Level 1 – DESCRIBE CONTENT (1)
The sources both talk about…..
Level 2 – DESCRIBE PROVENANCE (2-3)
The sources both talk about…..
Source X is from ……… and Source D is from………
Level 3 – COMPARE CONTENT (3-4)
Source X states…………….
Source Y states…………….
The tone of X i…………………, the tone of Y is……………………………
Level 4 – EXPLAIN DIFFERENCES (5-6)
The tone may be different because Source X is ……………
The tone of Y can be explained by………………….(looking at the provenance perhaps).
Level 5 – GIVE DETAIL BY CROSS-REFERENCE AND ANSWER THE QUESTION! (7-8)
In one source…………(detail)……….. but in the other source…………(detail)…………
The sources could/could not work together because……………………..
So X does/does not make Y wrong/unreliable.
Study all the sources
Question - Do you regard the Cuban Missile Crisis as a success for
the USA’s policy of Containment?
Use all the sources and your own knowledge to write a mini-essay answer to this question.
Either this essay or one on Vietnam will come up on Paper 2 so you should make sure you
have a really good idea of how to write it.
In your answers refer to
1. What Kennedy and the USA gained from the crisis – did the USA come out of this looking ok or
not?
2. What Khrushchev and the USSR gained from the crisis – did the USSR come ont of this
looking ok or not?
Plan of Attack; Draw a ven-diagram.
 Go through the sources one at a time. For each source state evidence for the statement AND evidence
which does not support the statement if there is any.
 For at least two of the sources write an in-depth paragraph discussing how reliable the evidence is.
 Don’t forget to give a summing up statement.
Sources which make the
US look good are Sources which
neither make
the US look
good or bad
are….
Sources which make
the US look bad (or
the USSR look
better are….)
Main tip – Draw a ‘Y’, ‘N’ ven diagram. Sources which ‘yes’ support the statement in one circle, sources which
‘no’ don’t support the statement in another and those which support both in the overlap.
Most common mistake – Is to not judge ‘How far’ or recognise that some sources might fit BOTH columns.
Here’s a mark-scheme which might help you to write an answer Level 1 – Misinterprets the Sources (1-3)
Level 2 – Uses the sources well but doesn’t see that some of the sources offer evidence for both sides. (4-6)
Level 3 - Uses the sources well but AND CAN see that some of the sources offer evidence for both sides.
Discusses HOW FAR the sources support the statement overall.(7-10)
Up to 2 bonus marks for EVALUATION OF SOURCES.
Discussion of HOW FAR A PARTICULAR source is worth using and to what extent it supports the statement. 