Preview

Thirteen Days Review

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
599 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Thirteen Days Review
Thirteen Days

“Thirteen Days” is a thriller movie that reveals how close we came to World War III back in October 1962, after President John F. Kennedy discovered the Soviet Union had installed nuclear missiles inside Cuba that could kill over 80 million Americans. “Thirteen Days” is told from the point of view of presidential assistant Kenny O'Donnell. Through his eyes, we gain knowledge about President Kennedy's inner most circle during the whole crisis. President John F. Kennedy and his advisors had to come up with a plan of action against the Soviets. In addition, Kennedy is determined to show that he is strong enough to stand up to the threat, and the Pentagon advises United States military strikes against Cuba which could lead the way to another massive war. However, Kennedy is not eager to follow through because a United States invasion could cause the Soviets to retaliate in Europe. Throughout the movie, it seemed like war was unavoidable, but through John F. Kennedy’s decisions, it saved the lives of millions.

“Thirteen Days” reflected on our historical past because the Cold War was brought up because of these events. The Cold War name was given to the relationship that rose between the United States and USSR. In addition, The Cold War began after WWII. Although the term “war” was in the labeled name, nobody engaged in violence. Neither sides fought one another until the Korean war. However, they did discussed and argued what they believed in. The Allies and Soviets had distrust in both sides. During that time, rumors were made that the Soviets had access to weapons of mass destruction which later found out to be true. Armies were set up on both sides, but neither army had launched an attack. Consequently, the fear of communism speaking was common in the United States. They Cold War put the Soviets and Allies in alert and edge. The Iron Curtain was a result because of the Soviets and the United States. The Iron Curtain had descended across

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Virtual JFK offers an excellent view into how John F. Kennedy made decisions to keep Americans from being involved in communist conflict. However, from the name of the documentary and the introduction I had believed the documentary would offer an actual perspective on what actions John F. Kennedy would have taken after November 22, 1963. Instead, I found the documentary to be a well put together inside view on the Presidency of Kennedy, an overview of the Johnson administration, and the often untold information of how Johnson was affected.…

    • 414 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Cuban Missile Crisis took place in the 1960’s not long after President John F. Kennedy’s failure in the Bay of Pigs. In October of 62’ photographs of Soviet missiles were taken from planes flying over Cuban soil. This put Americans on the edge of their seat, not prepared for another war. Kennedy already looking like a “soft president” states to the public he must take action. In his speech he states seven steps that will be taken. Any of which are not followed peacefully, will be consider an attack on the United States.…

    • 363 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    President Kennedy proposed a Naval Blockade despite the advice from his cabinet to order an air strike (Bojczuk 1). After five tense days, Khrushchev agreed to remove soviet missiles from Cuba in exchange for the assurance that America would not invade Cuba (Bojczuk 1). Furthermore, Kennedy enacted policies supplying political, economic and military needs to the southern region of Vietnam. Support in Vietnam gradually increased to the point where troops were actually fighting against the Northern Vietnamese (Bojczuk 1). Both these examples show how Kennedy strengthened the military without using…

    • 583 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Cold War Dbq

    • 1276 Words
    • 6 Pages

    In September, 1962 United States President John F. Kennedy received intelligence reports on a possible nuclear missile buildup in Cuba. American U-2 spy planes photographed Cuba for the next month while American intelligence noted the increasing number of Soviet ships going into and out of Cuba. On October 16th, President Kennedy was informed that the Soviets were building offensive missile sites in Cuba. Kennedy and his advisors developed three possible responses. The first was diplomatic action followed by military action if needed. The second option was to send military forces to Cuba without warning. The third option was to give a political warning to the Soviets and to blockade Cuba. In a speech on October 22, Kennedy informed Americans and the world populace of the presence of missiles in Cuba, announced a quarantine (blockade) of Cuba, and asserted that any nuclear missile launched at the…

    • 1276 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Thirteen Days

    • 786 Words
    • 4 Pages

    These thirteen days were the time period in which the fate of the world was decided. The focus of the book was on the decision of both the United States and Russia. The United States had to come to an agreement on what measures would be taken in order to prevent further establishment of Russian missiles in Cuba. No one could really agree on what actions to take "And so we argued, and so we disagreed- all dedicated, intelligent men, disagreeing and fighting about the future of their country, and of mankind."¹ The missiles were being brought to Cuba by Russian leader, Nikita Khrushchev, who guaranteed President Kennedy that the missiles would never be used as a weapon against the United States. This was a lie. Khrushchev fully intended to use the missiles as a mechanism of defense against the United States and as a way to further pursue a relationship with Fidel Castro who was the President of Cuba at the time. The United States needed to find a way to stop the development of missile sites without causing a break out of violent warfare.…

    • 786 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    It wasn't until October 22 Kennedy informed America of the Cuban Missile Crisis. My Great Grandma heard it on the radio, she was afraid of what Kennedy's next decision for this crisis would be. Kennedy's next move was enacted naval blockade around Cuba informing that America was prepared to fight in a war if it was necessary. Hearing this, my Great Grandma (and most Americans) thought that America was going to go to war. “You don’t want your country to be in war” (Wallace) my Great Grandma tells me, it was a big fear because she had my Great Grandma Margaret and didn't want her to be in danger because at that time was only 2 years old. Finally, Kennedy did it, he pulled America out of war, my Great Grandma was happy, there would be no war in America. “The U.S agreed to the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev’s that they would not invade Cuba if they took away the Cuban missiles” (History, Cuban Missile Crisis). It was a big relief for my Great Grandma, no one had to get drafted in the war in our family! And the president was happy because that meant America didn't need to go into…

    • 767 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    For thirteen days in October of 1962, the world lingered on the verge of a nuclear conflict of unparalleled proportions. In the eyes of those involved with the crisis every action seemed to flirt with disaster and beckon doomsday. The United States discovered the presence of Soviet missile silos in Cuba, capable of launching nuclear-tipped weaponry that could target much of the Eastern United States. President John F. Kennedy, under pressure from his advisors chose to order a naval “quarantine” of Cuba. He gambled that this maneuver would force the Soviets to end their missile shipments to Cuba yet not provoke the USSR to respond militarily. The world waited on edge as the Soviets and Americans drew closer to confrontation, hoping this…

    • 2042 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Catching the Snow

    • 616 Words
    • 3 Pages

    surrounding the feelings of impending doom in the wake of the Cuban Missile Crisis. It…

    • 616 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Cold War, one of the most scariest times in America’s, or even the world’s history. The threat of nuclear war was real, very real. At any moment America or the U.S.S.R. could destroy the entire world with their assault of nuclear weapons, just at a call and a click of a button. This is one of many important times in history, and still affects us today. Not only did the North Atlantic Treaty Operation come from the tensions, but the bay of pigs, the cuban missile crisis, the berlin wall (the construction and demolition) all were the outcome from these tensions in which still affect us today.…

    • 521 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Cuban Missile Crisis

    • 1676 Words
    • 7 Pages

    After the United States invaded Cuba at Bay of Pigs, the Soviet Union, forced to protect its only stronghold in the Americas, sent several missiles to Cuba to offset the power of the United States. From October 16th to October 28th, 1962, intense diplomatic and militaristic actions occurred in the United States. The Soviet Union had transferred nuclear missiles to Cuba, a neighboring country to the United States. John F. Kennedy, the president during the crisis of 1962, felt the missiles were a clear and present danger to the people of the United States. The Cuban missile crisis brought panic to many individuals due to growing worry of not just another world war, but an apocalyptic war that would most probably eclipse every other war before it. The Cuban missile crisis that occurred in October 1962 was successfully averted due to prudent choices by both Kennedy and Khrushchev.…

    • 1676 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    Farber, David R., and Eric Foner. The Age of Great Dreams: America in the 1960s. New…

    • 3190 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    The problem that had grown was who could get nuclear control, and who could develop new technologies quicker. It was also a time of trying to stop the spread of communism. This was known as the cold war and its effects are still seen in people to this day.…

    • 1813 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Essay On Space Race

    • 2336 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Everyone was panicking and scared, schools were having nuclear drills, and families were storing food in their nuclear bunkers. The streets were filled with mayhem, I was scared myself. The United States were thinking about attack Cuba but thankfully they were smart enough to set up a blockade instead. The US announced that they were not going to attack offensively and order the Soviets to dismantle their missiles as well. The Soviet Union laughed at the US offer but secretly tried to resolve the crisis. This crisis was resolved on October 28, 1962 when President Kennedy and General U Thant reached an agreement with Khrushchev. The Soviet Union agreed to dismantle their missile only if the United States declares that they will never invade Cuba again, which they did. Everyone was relieved that we avoided a nuclear war and went back to their regular lives. I was glad we resolved this crisis peacefully and without a soul…

    • 2336 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Kennedy stood strong in our country’s commitment to liberty and equality through it all. On October 16, 1962, it was discovered that The USSR had robbed the Cuban people of their freedoms and now had their weapons of mass destruction set for America. With weapons and communist control in Cuba, Commander Khrushchev threatened the United States with nuclear war. President Kennedy sought to uphold liberty across the world, making a commitment to the Cuban people to not rest until all are free from the grips of communism. “I speak to you as a friend, as one who shares your aspirations for liberty and justice for all. Freedom is indivisible, and when one man is enslaved, all are not free” (Kennedy 89). John F. Kennedy expressed his commitment to liberty and justice in his vision for all to be free from the communist regime. Kennedy just like the founding fathers before him vowed to pay the costs for all to be free and committed to staying strong against tyranny. "The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission” (Horan). President Kennedy vowed to never surrender and to stand up to those who challenge the founding principles of America, liberty and equality. Through his decision-making and personal convictions about the Cuban Missile Crisis,…

    • 1297 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Kennedy, Thirteen Days: A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis, which was a nonfiction book he published in 1969 after the assassination of…

    • 568 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics