The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. Not surprisingly, it is one of the most studied and well-documented events in modem U.S history. In this seminar; we will use a selection, of primary sources related to the crisis to address key questions and to examine the decisions and actions of U.S., Soviet, and Cuban officials. Why did the Soviet Union place nuclear missiles in Cuba? How did the U.S. respond? What options did President Kennedy and his advisers (known as the ExComm) have to force the removal of the missiles? How was the crisis ended? How might it have ended? We will also learn how records related to the crisis became available after 1962, especially following the end of the Cold War.

AII attendees of this free seminar will receive a certificate for continuing education, as well as paper and digital copies of the reader; Lunch is also included in this free program.