1. Read the transcript or watch the speech made by President Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis by searching for: v jfklibrary.org – cuban – missile – television – report v youtube – jfk – cuban – missile – crisis – speech
(a) When did Kennedy receive the preliminary information about the missiles? (b) What did Kennedy do when he received this information? (c) What is the distance that the missiles can travel and what cities in the USA can they hit? (d) List the seven steps that Kennedy outlines he has undertaken. (e) According to Kennedy, what is the difference between nuclear and conventional weapons? (f) What does he claim the 1930s has taught people? (g) Why do you think Kennedy needed to address the American nation?
2. The following were the last words broadcast from Hungarian Radio as the Soviet tanks rolled into Budapest in 1956. Read the source and answer the questions. Civilized people of the world: On the watch tower of 1,000-year old Hungary the last flames begin to go out. Soviet tanks and guns are roaring over Hungarian soil. Our women – mothers and daughters – are sitting in dread. They still have terrible memories of the army’s entry in 1945. Save our souls . . . This word may be the last from the last Hungarian freedom station. Listen to our call. Help us – not with advice, not with words, but with action, with soldiers and arms.
(a) Is this a primary or secondary source? (b) On which side of the conflict is this person? Give reasons for your answer. (c) Why does the person on the radio believe they will lose their freedom? (d) Is this source objective or subjective? Give reasons for your answer. (e) Why do you think theWestern powers did not help the Hungarians with action, soldiers and arms?
CHANGE AND CONTINUITY
3. Although communism in the USSR no longer exists, communism officially still exists in China and North Korea. The grandson of Kim Il Sung in North Korea became leader in 2016. Since then he has been in conflict with the USA and others over North Korea’s use of missiles and its nuclear programme. The American president has been attempting to negotiate and pressure North Korea and its supporter, China. Research the continuing conflict between North Korea and South Korea. (a) How has the USA involved itself in the politics of North Korea? (b) Are there any similarities between the current stand-off between the USA and North Korea and the stand-off between the USA and the USSR and Cuba in 1962? (c) What differences are there between the two events?