GROUP 9: The President’s Daily Bulletin – The Cuban Missile Crisis Timeline Summer, 1962 In July, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and Cuban leader Fidel Castro, make a secret agreement to place Soviet nuclear missiles on Cuban soil to both deter an American invasion of Cuba and provide the Soviet Union with the opportunity to strike the continental United States with nuclear weapons. In August, Soviet workers begin construction of missile sites on Cuban soil. American intelligence officers warn Kennedy that this initial construction might lead to a base for ballistic missiles. Soviet leaders, including US Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin, publicly deny any suggestion of efforts to put offensive weapons on Cuban soil. October 14 An American U-2 spy plane takes several pictures of the missile sites under construction in Cuba. These sites were designed for both medium-range and intermediate-range ballistic nuclear missiles (MRBM and IRBM). Both could reach US soil if launched. October 15-16 The CIA analyzes the U-2 images, and then notifies the Department of State, which notifies National Security Adviser McGeorge Bundy on October 15. Bundy tells President Kennedy on October 16, sharing the U-2 photos and the CIA’s analysis. Kennedy convenes a group of advisors, including members of the National Security Council – later known as EXCOMM (Executive Committee of the National Security Council) to discuss options: o Diplomatic pressure o Do nothing o Send a warning o Naval blockade o Air strike o Invasion of Cuba October 19, 1962 U-2 spy planes document four sites now ready for missiles. US military put on high alert. Consensus by EXCOMM reached that a naval blockade to quarantine Cuba was the best option.
9
Embed
GROUP 9: The President’s Daily Bulletin – The Cuban Missile Crisismrspatehistory.weebly.com/uploads/2/8/0/8/28086217/group... · 2019. 12. 1. · CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS – PRIMARY
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
GROUP 9: The President’s Daily Bulletin – The Cuban Missile Crisis
Timeline
Summer, 1962
In July, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and Cuban leader Fidel Castro, make a secret
agreement to place Soviet nuclear missiles on Cuban soil to both deter an American invasion of
Cuba and provide the Soviet Union with the opportunity to strike the continental United States
with nuclear weapons.
In August, Soviet workers begin construction of missile sites on Cuban soil. American
intelligence officers warn Kennedy that this initial construction might lead to a base for ballistic
missiles.
Soviet leaders, including US Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin, publicly deny any suggestion of
efforts to put offensive weapons on Cuban soil.
October 14
An American U-2 spy plane takes several
pictures of the missile sites under construction
in Cuba. These sites were designed for both
medium-range and intermediate-range
ballistic nuclear missiles (MRBM and IRBM).
Both could reach US soil if launched.
October 15-16
The CIA analyzes the U-2 images, and then
notifies the Department of State, which
notifies National Security Adviser McGeorge
Bundy on October 15.
Bundy tells President Kennedy on October 16,
sharing the U-2 photos and the CIA’s analysis.
Kennedy convenes a group of advisors,
including members of the National Security
Council – later known as EXCOMM (Executive
Committee of the National Security Council)
to discuss options:
o Diplomatic pressure
o Do nothing
o Send a warning
o Naval blockade
o Air strike
o Invasion of Cuba
October 19, 1962
U-2 spy planes document four sites now ready for missiles. US military put on high alert.
Consensus by EXCOMM reached that a naval blockade to quarantine Cuba was the best option.
October 22
US Ambassador to the Soviet Union, Foy Kohler, informs Khrushchev of impending blockade.
At 7:00 pm, President Kennedy gives a televised address, announcing the discovery of the
missile sites and the American plan for blockade.
October 24
Khrushchev warns Kennedy that the blockade is “piracy” that will lead to war; US troop alert
condition raised to DEFCON 2, the step immediately preceding nuclear war.
October 25
Kennedy responds to Khrushchev’s telegram, arguing that the US is forced to respond given
the proximity of weapons.
October 26
The State Department receives a hand-written note from Khrushchev opening the door for
negotiation as long as the US promised not to invade Cuba.
October 27
Khrushchev sends another message, seeking a deal where the US would remove its missiles
from Greece and Turkey, in return for the removal of Soviet weapons from Cuba.
An American U-2 plane was shot down by a Soviet commander. Another American plane
accidentally crosses into Soviet territory, which leads to both sides preparing fighters.
Negotiations continue between the US and the Soviet Union; both seek an end to the crisis
while preparing for war.
October 28, 1962
Kennedy agrees to remove all missiles from Italy and Turkey and Khrushchev agrees to remove
all missiles from Cuba.
The US blockade ends on November 20, after confirming Soviet removal of missiles and launch
sites.
CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS – PRIMARY SOURCE 1
Source: The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-