Cuban Missile Crisis Simulation

The Cuban Missile Crisis

• 1962- moment when USSR and USA stood on the brink of nuclear war
• USSR covertly introduced nuclear missiles to Cuba
• Major scare to USA
• Cuba is only 2159.6 miles from the southern tip of Florida
• If missiles were fired there would be little warning and minimal response time
GOAL

• Understand the role intelligence collection and analysis plays in affecting

government policy and action.
• Students will analyze primary documents gained from HUMINT (human
intelligence) and PHOTINT (photo intelligence) sources in the form of CIA
memos and U-2 photographs*.
• Students will make a determination of Soviet nuclear capabilities at
different stages of the crisis.
PART I

• There are reports from Cuban nationals that indicate a buildup of Soviet
military installations and personnel
• Some officials argue that U-2 missions could be shot down and diplomatic
embarrassment would occur
Part I

• Should the U.S. send another U-2 overflight over Cuba to ascertain if
there are Soviet Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM)
installations?
• Students will assume the role of Source Analysts
• Review HUMINT (human intelligence)
• Formulate an answer to the question above
How did you respond? How did the US respond?

• Share out with the class

• The United States response
• A U-2 overflight is necessary
Part II

• Are there Medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) installations on the

island of Cuba?
• Review the PHOTINT (imagery intelligence) obtained by the U-2 overflight
• Divide into three groups, each group will analyze a different packet of
intelligence
How did you respond? How did the US respond?

• Share with the class

• The United States determination
• There are indeed extensive MRBM installations and Soviet personnel.
Part III

• Are the MRBM sites operable and if so, how much time is there
between command and fire of the weapons?
• Analyze intelligence packet III
• Oleg Penkovsky, a spy inside the Soviet military, material code-named
IRONBARK
How did you respond? How did the US respond?

• Share with class

• The United States Response
• The sites are becoming operable and that they are between 8-20 hours from
command to fire weapons