Interpretations of the Cuban Missile Crisis
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This worksheet explores different historical interpretations of the Cuban Missile Crisis, encouraging students to compare and evaluate contrasting viewpoints.
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Interpretations of the Cuban Missile Crisis
Untitled Worksheet
Contrasting Historians' Perspectives on the Cuban Missile Crisis
Historian A: John Lewis Gaddis – Political Perspective "Gaddis argues that the Cuban Missile Crisis was primarily a result of Cold War political rivalry. He emphasizes the strategic calculations of the US and USSR, highlighting how both superpowers aimed to assert dominance and avoid nuclear war. Gaddis suggests that the crisis was caused by mutual distrust and the desire to demonstrate strength, which nearly led to nuclear conflict. His view underscores the importance of diplomatic misjudgments and the failure of communication between the superpowers."
Historian B: Melvyn Leffler – Diplomatic Perspective "Leffler contends that the Cuban Missile Crisis was largely driven by diplomatic failures and miscommunications. He emphasizes the role of individual leaders' perceptions, diplomatic strategies, and the importance of back-channel negotiations. Leffler believes that better communication and understanding could have prevented the crisis, and he highlights the significance of diplomacy in averting nuclear war. His interpretation focuses on the importance of diplomatic history and leadership decisions."
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Details
- Created
- 1/1/2026
- Updated
- 1/1/2026
- Type
- worksheet