Cuban Missile Crisis Decision-Making

The video covers the Cuban Missile Crisis, focusing on diplomatic subtleties and strategic decisions made by US President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko. It highlights the tension between military action and diplomacy, the intelligence assessments of Soviet forces in Cuba, and the internal debates within the US government. The narrative concludes with the decision to implement a blockade, termed 'quarantine', to avoid escalating the situation into a nuclear conflict.

What is one of the key skills often associated with being diplomatic?

• Subtlety

• Aggressiveness

• Indifference

• Impatience

On October 19th, 1962, what was the US Joint Chiefs of Staff's preferred solution to the Cuban Missile Crisis?

• Diplomatic negotiations

• A military solution

• Economic sanctions

• Public speeches

What was Gromyko's strategy during his meetings with Kennedy and Rusk?

• To avoid any serious discussions

• To focus on other conflicts like Berlin

• To openly discuss the missiles

• To agree with US policies

What was the CIA's assessment of the Soviet forces in Cuba?

• No assessment was made

• Accurate estimation of troop numbers

• Overestimation of troop numbers

• Underestimation of troop numbers

What was the US administration's concern regarding the legality of their actions?

• The legality of diplomatic talks

• The legality of economic sanctions

• The legality of US waging war on Cuba

• The legality of Soviet actions

What was one of the reasons the Bundy Plan was rejected?

• It was too costly

• It would make the US look like the aggressor

• It was too slow

• It was not supported by the military

What term did the US administration decide to use instead of 'blockade'?

• Embargo

• Quarantine

• Sanction

• Isolation

Who was the only member to oppose decisive action during the National Security Council meeting?

• John F. Kennedy

• Robert F. Kennedy

• George Ball

• Adlai Stevenson

What was the reaction of the US military forces after the decision to redirect them towards Cuba?

• They were relieved

• They were shocked

• They were indifferent

• They were excited

What was the anticipated global consequence of the US actions during the Cuban Missile Crisis?

• A diplomatic victory

• An economic boom

• A Third World War

• A peaceful resolution