John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum: Soviet Arms Buildup in Cuba
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]
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: The Presidency and the Cold War: John F. Kennedy
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...
Mount Holyoke College
International Relations: Cia Internal Memorandum About Strike on Cuba
The memo dated January 4, 1961, outlines the Bay of Pigs planned invasion, in great detail.
National Geographic
National Geographic: The Impact of the Bay of Pigs Invasion on Fidel Castro
This lesson focuses on how the Bay of Pigs invasion influenced the attitude of Fidel Castro towards Kennedy and the United States. Includes role play, discussion, and research. Students then write a letter from Nikita Krushchev to Fidel...
National Archives (UK)
Learning Curve: Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis
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...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Kennedy's Global Challenge
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.
Other
John F. Kennedy the Presidency Missiles in Cuba
This site contains the text of President Kennedy's speech to the U.S. about the discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba.
Other
Cuba, 42 Anos De Revolucion 1959 2001
Great summary, in Spanish, of the history of Cuba since 1959. This article quickly revisits the major events of the Cuban revolution and Castro's rise to power. It also highlights the main events of Cuban history from 1959 to 2001.
BBC
Bbc: World Wars in Depth: John F. Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis
An explanation of the events which occurred and attitudes which prevailed during the Cuban Missile Crisis of October, 1962.
Other
Cuba Net: Marine Officer Wrote After Bay of Pigs
In the after-action report filed by Marine Col. Jack Hawkins following the Bay of Pigs, he writes that the only way to oust Castro would be with another attempt using overt intervention with U.S. military power.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Kennedy and the Cold War
Read about President John F. Kennedy, the Cold War, and the Cuba Missile Crisis.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: u.s. Urges Alliance for Progress
In the field of foreign affairs, President Kennedy faced a series of challenging situations in Cuba, in Southeast Asia, and in Berlin. In 1961, he initiiated a program called the Alliance for Progress aimed to establish economic...
Then Again
Then Again: Web Chron: Summary of Cuban Missile Crisis
This site contains a short summary of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The last paragraph tells of the resolution between the U.S., Cuba, and Soviet Union.
Mount Holyoke College
International Relations: Memorandum of Discussion: January 28, 1961
The text of a conversation between President Kennedy and his advisors concerning the "prospects for success" of an American plan to send American-trained Cuban exiles to invade Cuba.
The History Place
The History Place: Jfk Cuban Missile Crisis
This site from The History Place has the text of President John F. Kennedy's speech addressing the nation about the Cuban Missile Crisis. An audio clip of the speech is also included.
US Department of State
Office of the Historian: The Cuban Missile Crisis, October 1962
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...
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: United Nations and Ussr
This site from Fordham University contains actual letters between the United Nations and the USSR. These letters are attempts to reach a resolution in the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Woodrow Wilson Center: Digital Archive: Cuban Missile Crisis
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.
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Bay of Pigs Invasion
Provides detailed facts and information about how the CIA-backed Cuban exiles launched a botched invasion at the Bay of Pigs in Cuba.
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Woodrow Wilson Center: Digital Archive: Cuban Foreign Relations
Documents on Cuban's international relations, focusing on its relationship with the Soviet Union, China, and the United States.
Federation of American Scientists
Fas: Cuban Missile Crisis
This site from the Federation of American Scientists has lots of photos regarding the Cuban Missile Crisis, as well as Foreign Relations Documents.
Library of Congress
Loc: Cold War Cuban Missile Crisis
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...
The History Cat
The History Cat: The Cuban Missile Crisis
Describes the events that led up to the Cuban Missile Crisis and the steps John F. Kennedy took to avert a nuclear war.
Mount Holyoke College
Soviets Say a u.s. Attack on Cuba Would Mean Nuclear War
A September 11, 1962 New York Times article relates the Soviet statement threatening nuclear war.