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The Cuban Missile Crisis Lesson PlanThe Cuban Missile Crisis Lesson Plan
Publisher
Center for History Education
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
9th - 12th
Subjects
Social Studies & History
1 more...
Resource Type
Lesson Plans
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
2 hrs
Instructional Strategies
Discussion
2 more...
Usage Permissions
Fine Print: Educational Use
Lesson Plan

The Cuban Missile Crisis

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This The Cuban Missile Crisis lesson plan also includes:
  • The Cuban Missile Crisis (.html)
  • Resource Sheet #1: Letter from Fidel Castro to Khrushchev (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #2: Letter From Kennedy to Khrushchev, October 22, 1962 (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #3: State Dept. Telegram of Kennedy's Oct. 23 Letter (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #4: Letter From Khrushchev to Kennedy, October 24, 1962 (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #5: Letter From Khrushchev to Kennedy, October 28, 1962 (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #6: Memo from Under Sec. Bowles to Sec. Rusk, March 31, 1961 (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #7: Commencement Address at American University (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #8: Photo: MRBM Field Launch Site (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #9: Missile Range Map (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #10: Mapping an Event (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #11: Mapping an Event (.pdf)
  • Activity
  • Vocabulary
  • Join to access all included materials

Cold War tensions led to hostile actions. Scholars use primary sources to understand the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis during President Kennedy's administration. The lesson provides primary sources and a graphic organizer to help academics understand what led to the crisis and how it resulted in the removal of nuclear weapons from Cuba. Historians also participate in group discussion to understand how the fear of communism and nuclear weapons shaped the event and its outcome. 

12 Views 18 Downloads

Concepts

american democracy, american history, america, the united states, the cold war, tension, the cuban missile crisis, the bay of pigs, john f. kennedy, the presidency of john f. kennedy, the soviet union, fears, nuclear war, nuclear weapons, cuba, fidel castro, military history, the military, primary source analysis, primary source images, primary sources, historical analysis, historical context, historical documents

Instructional Ideas

  • Compare President Kennedy's and Eisenhower's responses to Cold War tensions  
  • Have learners create a political cartoon about the Cuban Missile Crisis 

Classroom Considerations

  • Lesson takes one to two class periods 

Pros

  • Lesson includes an assessment to gauge pupils' understanding 
  • Resource includes background information to help educators guide the lesson 

Cons

  • None

View 75,813 other resources for 9th - 12th Grade Social Studies & History

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