CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS ASSIGNMENT

Q1: Which of the options listed in the Sorenson memo would you choose? Why?

A1: I would choose the diplomat's Thompson’s view. In my opinion prior political actions are
crucial. The country needs to avoid a potential war using all that is possible, so a political
action can bring peace.

Q2: What other options might you have considered, besides the ones listed in the memo?

A2: The government could give a political statement as they attack the other country, so the
action would not be before or after the attack, it would happen at the same time.

Q3: How did the Executive Committee assume power in this case, since there is no mention
of consulting Congress? What was their reasoning or justification for acting alone?

A3: There would be no time to formally consult the Congress. The US was under war threat,
so the Executive Committee decided it was better if they worked alone.

Q4: Was the action taken by President Kennedy an example of inherent or implied
executive power? Explain your answer.

A4: I do not think that the actions taken by John Kennedy were an example of inherent or
implied executive power. The President took the actions that were necessary to avoid a
nuclear conflict. He did not have the time to call a meeting for the Congress to acknowledge
his decision. He only did what was best for his country, as they were under constant threat.

Q5: What was the Soviet leadership’s likely perspective on the Cuban Missile Crisis?

A5: Soviets wanted to make Cuba stronger as they were the closest communist country to
the US, so if they possessed missiles would help both defense and offense against the US.
But as soon as they saw what this might cause, they did not follow their original plan and did
not send the missiles to Cuba.

Q6: What were the Soviets’ options during the Cuban Missile Crisis? Based on your
understanding of their perspective, what would you have done in a similar situation?

A6: Soviets could pursue their missiles through American troops and risk a Nuclear World
War that could end the US and the URSS. They could have attacked US as soon as they
were blocked to get into Cuba, but instead, they retreated, which in my opinion was the best
option, so there could be avoided any war or conflict between the most two powerful
countries of that time.