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Primary
George Washington University

National Security Archive: Kennedy Sought Dialogue With Cuba

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of documents revealing the secret history of possible U.S. accommodation with Castro just before Kennedy's assassination, and afterwards with President Johnson. Among documents there is also an audio tape of a discussion...
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Handout
Flow of History

Flow of History: The Height of the Cold War (1957 72)

For Students 9th - 10th
The events surrounding the Cold War at its very height are the focus. Text plus a colored graphic flowchart make the topic visually appealing and of interest to both students and educators.
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Primary
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum: Soviet Arms Buildup in Cuba

For Students 9th - 10th
An audio recording of a speech given to Americans by John F. Kennedy on October 22, 1962 where he talks about the buildup of Soviet military power in Cuba. A transcript is also provided. [17:37]
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Primary
Mount Holyoke College

U.s. Dept. Of State: Review of Operation Mongoose

For Students 9th - 10th
Here are the plans for Operation Mongoose, the goal of which was the overthrow of Fidel Castro and the institution of a government friendly to the United States. A very interesting document outlining how this operation could be carried out.
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: Submarines in the Cold War

For Students 9th - 10th
Gives excellent information on all aspects of the nuclear submarines in use today.
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Website
US Department of State

Office of the Historian: The Cuban Missile Crisis, October 1962

For Students 9th - 10th
This site gives a clear, succinct look at the Cuban Missile Crisis, its causes, and the results. See how direct and indirect communication between President Kennedy and Soviet leader, Nikita Khruschev, resolved this potentially horrific...
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Website
US Department of State

Office of the Historian: The Berlin Crisis, 1958 1961

For Students 9th - 10th
Because Berlin was a divided city, between East and West, there was potential for diplomatic problems. Read about President Eisenhower's failed attempts to negotiate with Soviet Premier Khrushchev, and the negotiations between President...
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Primary
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Woodrow Wilson Center: Digital Archive: Cuban Foreign Relations

For Students 9th - 10th
Documents on Cuban's international relations, focusing on its relationship with the Soviet Union, China, and the United States.
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Primary
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Woodrow Wilson Center: Digital Archive: Cuban Missile Crisis

For Students 9th - 10th
Documents concerning the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962-a major confrontation that brought the Soviet Union and the United States close to war over the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba.
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: The Presidency and the Cold War: John F. Kennedy

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Portait Gallery explores the actions of presidents during the Cold War. Here find President Kennedy's decisions during the Berlin Crisis, the building of the Berlin War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Watch a video of...
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Handout
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum

Jfk Presidential Library and Museum: The Cold War

For Students 9th - 10th
This site discusses the United States' struggle to halt the spread of Communism at the height of the Cold War.
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Handout
National Archives (UK)

Learning Curve: Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides information about Cuba's history and Castro's rise to power, the development of the relationship between Cuba and the USSR, a description of the events of the crisis, Kennedy's response to the discovery of Soviet...
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Cold War Cuban Missile Crisis

For Students 9th - 10th
This site details the placing of intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Cuba by the Soviet Union. The article discusses why Khrushchev did this, and what the U.S. did about this. Also provided is the text to Krushchev's letter to JFK...
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Handout
History of American Wars

History of American Wars: Cold War History: Kennedy and Johnson 1961 1969

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the events of the Cold War during the presidencies of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.
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Interactive
PBS

Nova Online: Submarines, Secrets and Spies

For Students 9th - 10th
The companion site to a NOVA program on the role of submarines in the Cold War, this site provides a close-up view of life on a nuclear submarine. In addition, the transcript of the program is available, which details some of the ways...
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Article
Other

John F. Kennedy National Security: u.s.s.r. (Pdf) [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
This article summarizes U.S.-Soviet relations during the Kennedy administration, including the Russian Missile Crisis and the Vienna Summit.
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Website
Other

John Mc Adams: Marquette: Kennedy and the Cold War

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses John F. Kennedy and his role in the Cold War.
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Website
Other

Marry Ferrell Foundation: Operation Mongoose

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the little known Operation Mongoose, a plan to "get rid of Castro" however that could be interpreted. See who was involved in the planning, and find out why it wasn't carried out. Included are links to documents and other...
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Kennedy's Global Challenge

For Students 5th - 8th
The Cold War was still being waged during John Kennedy's administration. Read about the challenges he faced in Europe, Latin America, and, most ominously, in Cuba.
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Website
US Department of State

Office of the Historian: Alliance for Progress and Peace Corps, 1961 1969

For Students 9th - 10th
A look at the Alliance for Progress and the assistance it promised for Latin American countries who agreed to increase democracy in their governments. See what successes there were through this program. Also read a brief overview of the...
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Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: John F. Kennedy: Foreign Affairs

For Students 9th - 10th
Social Studies > U.S. History > The Upheaval of a Nation (1954-1980) > John F. Kennedy Administration (1960 to 1963) > Kennedy and the Cold War
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Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Kennedy and the Cold War

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about President John F. Kennedy, the Cold War, and the Cuba Missile Crisis.
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Website
Other

History of Uss Nautilus (Ssn 571)

For Students 9th - 10th
Contains information about the USS Nautilus, the first nuclear submarine.
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Primary
Mount Holyoke College

Effect on u.s. u.s.s.r. Relations From Bay of Pigs

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a telegram from the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State. It provides a typical example demonstrating the cold war relations and tensions.