View/Download PDF


Cuban Missile Crisis


Harriet Blakely


None


In this lesson, students will become aware of the importance of the Cuban Missile Crisis.  In October, 1962, the United States and the Soviet Union came close to a nuclear war when President John Kennedy was made aware that Soviet missiles with nuclear warheads were installed in Cuba.  These missiles had the capability of targeting key parts of the southern US including Washington DC.  Through diplomatic efforts and a naval blockade, the missiles were eventually removed; however, during this tense time American families were urged to prepare themselves for a potential nuclear war.  This lesson will focus on the potential destruction to property and human life had a war actually occurred. 

Although this lesson was designed for the Troup County area, it can easily be adapted to other communities.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


one hour


1S3


 

Why was the Cuban Missile Crisis significant in the history of the United States and the world?


 

Students will be given a secret code to decipher.  When the code is deciphered, it will reveal the headline of the LaGrange Daily News on October 23, 1962:  SOVIET SHIPS HEAD TOWARD EXPLOSIVE TEST WITH U.S. (See Linked File Handout #1 "CODED MESSAGE".)  


 

Transparency of LaGrange Daily News article with picture of U2 pilot Glenn Hyde, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hyde, who was missing after having flown over Cuba in a reconnaissance flight a year after the Cuban Missile Crisis,  will be projected on the board.  (Article--"LaGrange Pilot Missing in U2 Crash Near Cuba"-- may be accessed in LaGrange Daily News Nov 21, 1963 from Troup County Archives.)

Students will be told about the article which will lead to an explanation of the Cuban Missile Crisis (see "Story of Cuban Missile Crisis" attachment) and an introduction to lesson. 

Teacher will explain that this young man from LaGrange flew one of the U2 planes over Cuba in a reconnaissance (a preliminary survey to gain information; esp: an exploratory military survey of enemy territory) mission after the Cuban Missile Crisis. 


 

 

  1. Teacher asks a volunteer to define the word "crisis."  Then teacher briefly tells the students the story of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
  2. Direct students' attention to overhead with map of U.S. and Cuba.  Begin discussion about where students think the Soviets might have targeted their missiles and why.  (Point out heavily populated  cities in the U.S. especially Washington, D.C.)
  3. Distribute individual maps, "State Capital City, USA", and compasses to students.  Using the information found on the PBS web site (see "notes" for web address), draw circles around the targets identified and discuss the degrees of potential destruction of a nuclear attack on that area and surrounding areas.  To personalize the lesson, note the possible destruction to the LaGrange area had a nearby target been attacked.  Use the different colors to "shade in" or "outline" areas of various levels of destruction. 

 

 


 

Teacher will direct students to write a paragraph about why they think that October 1962 was an important time in the history of the United States and the world.  During class discussion, lead the class to generate a list of questions they would ask a grandparent or friend concerning their memories of this time period and the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. 


 

Effects of nuclear fall out can be found at: www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/bomb/sfeature/mapablast.html   This site was not blocked from the Troup County Internet; however, as one will see, there may be some descriptive information on this site that the teacher may decide not to disclose to the students.  Each teacher should use his/her discretion in choosing how much information to reveal depending on the maturity level of students in the class.  The teacher-made map was scaled for the radii of the 1 megaton surface blast.  One centimeter = one mile.

 

 


None


The Cuban Missle Crisis Bellringer Code 1S3_Blakel
Story of Cuban Missile Crisis_Blakely SI3
State Capital Map_Blakely 1S3

Site by Kelsey.