Briefing a President

The Cuban Missile Crisis lasted for a relatively short period of time but had the highest possible stakes. The United States was on the brink of a nuclear war very close to home. President Kennedy would call on a number of close advisers to help guide him through this crisis.

Imagine that you are an adviser to President Kennedy. You will need to check various resources to prepare a brief for the President to guide him through decisions he must make about the crisis. Visit each site in the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, as directed below, and respond to each statement or question to help you prepare your brief.

1) • “Theodore C. Sorensen's memorandum, October 18, 1962.” List the possible courses of action, including some advantages and disadvantages of each.