Have students create a timeline of the events that culminated in the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 under President John F. Kennedy. Students will outline and define the events that led to both the U.S. and U.S.S.R. being on the brink of nuclear war. This will highlight major global policies and negotiations that took place to avoid conflict and nuclear destruction. In addition, this will help summarize the growing tensions that existed between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. when Kennedy took office, and elucidate how the Cold War was a continuous ideological conflict.
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options!
Extended Activity
Have students create a timeline of events affecting the relationship between the U.S. and Cuba, led by Fidel Castro. This will highlight America’s sour relationship with the small, communist nation and how the U.S. responded over the years. Students should try to also connect to current day events, i.e. the Cuban embargo being lifted and improved relations with Cuba in 2015.
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Student Instructions
Create a timeline detailing events leading up to and during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Engage students in a dynamic classroom debate by assigning roles as U.S., U.S.S.R., or Cuba leaders. This activity helps students understand different perspectives and practice critical thinking.
Divide the class into groups representing the U.S., U.S.S.R., and Cuba. Assign each group the task of researching their country's motives and concerns during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Encourage students to find key facts, speeches, and opinions from their assigned country's perspective. Provide resources and guiding questions to support focused preparation.
Establish clear guidelines for respectful discussion, time limits, and turn-taking. Explain the debate format to ensure every group has an opportunity to present and respond.
Lead the debate by asking probing questions and ensuring all voices are heard. After the debate, prompt students to reflect on what they learned about the complexities of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day confrontation in October 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet missiles in Cuba. It's important for students as it highlights Cold War tensions, nuclear brinkmanship, and diplomatic negotiations that helped prevent nuclear war.
Students can create an effective timeline by listing key events in order, describing each event in their own words, and using images to visualize the moments. Including major policies, negotiations, and the roles of leaders like Kennedy and Castro will deepen understanding.
Key events include the Bay of Pigs invasion, discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba, President Kennedy’s televised address, naval blockade of Cuba, tense negotiations, and the eventual agreement to remove missiles. These highlight the escalation and resolution of the crisis.
The crisis worsened U.S.-Cuba relations, leading to decades of hostility, trade embargoes, and diplomatic isolation. It also cemented Cuba's alignment with the Soviet Union, though relations improved many years later, especially after 2015.
Besides a traditional timeline, students can make a timeline poster for presentations or gallery walks, use digital storytelling tools, or collaborate on group projects with images and descriptions to engage classmates and enhance learning.