Cuban Missile Crisis

Aimee H.
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  1. missile
    a weapon that is forcibly thrown or projected at a target
    The Cuban Missile Crisis was the closest the world ever came to nuclear war.
  2. President John F. Kennedy
    35th President of the United States
    Luckily, thanks to the bravery of two men, President John F. Kennedy and Premier Nikita Khrushchev, war was averted.
  3. Khrushchev
    Soviet statesman and premier who denounced Stalin
    Luckily, thanks to the bravery of two men, President John F. Kennedy and Premier Nikita Khrushchev, war was averted.
  4. Nikita Khrushchev
    Soviet statesman and premier who denounced Stalin
    Luckily, thanks to the bravery of two men, President John F. Kennedy and Premier Nikita Khrushchev, war was averted.
  5. Cuba
    the largest island in the West Indies
    The United States armed forces were at their highest state of readiness ever and Soviet field commanders in Cuba were prepared to use battlefield nuclear weapons to defend the island if it was invaded.
  6. quarantine
    isolation to prevent the spread of infectious disease
    After seven days of guarded and intense debate within the upper echelons of government, Kennedy concluded to impose a naval quarantine around Cuba.
  7. echelon
    level of authority in a hierarchy
    After seven days of guarded and intense debate within the upper echelons of government, Kennedy concluded to impose a naval quarantine around Cuba.
  8. invade
    march aggressively into a territory by military force
    The United States armed forces were at their highest state of readiness ever and Soviet field commanders in Cuba were prepared to use battlefield nuclear weapons to defend the island if it was invaded.
  9. arms race
    a competition to have the most powerful weapons
    In 1962, the Soviet Union was desperately behind the United States in the arms race.
  10. Soviet Union
    a former communist country in eastern Europe and northern Asia; established in 1922; included Russia and 14 other soviet socialist republics (Ukraine and Byelorussia and others); officially dissolved 31 December 1991
    In 1962, the Soviet Union was desperately behind the United States in the arms race.
  11. dismantle
    take off or remove
    Tensions finally began to ease on October 28 when Khrushchev announced that he would dismantle the installations and return the missiles to the Soviet Union, expressing his trust that the United States would not invade Cuba.
  12. Fidel Castro
    Cuban socialist leader who overthrew a dictator in 1959 and established a Marxist socialist state in Cuba (born in 1927)
    Meanwhile, Fidel Castro was looking for a way to defend his island nation from an attack by the U.S.
  13. deterrent
    something immaterial that interferes with action or progress
    A deployment in Cuba would double the Soviet strategic arsenal and provide a real deterrent to a potential U.S. attack against the Soviet Union.
  14. Kennedy
    35th President of the United States
    Luckily, thanks to the bravery of two men, President John F. Kennedy and Premier Nikita Khrushchev, war was averted.
  15. specify
    be particular about
    Further negotiations were held to implement the October 28 agreement, including a United States demand that Soviet light bombers be removed from Cuba, and specifying the exact form and conditions of United States assurances not to invade Cuba.
  16. Castro
    Cuban socialist leader who overthrew a dictator in 1959 and established a Marxist socialist state in Cuba (born in 1927)
    Meanwhile, Fidel Castro was looking for a way to defend his island nation from an attack by the U.S.
  17. reconnaissance
    the act of scouting, especially to gain information
    Kennedy eventually ordered low-level reconnaissance missions once every two hours.
  18. Union
    the United States
    In 1962, the Soviet Union was desperately behind the United States in the arms race.
  19. bomber
    a military aircraft that drops bombs during flight
    Further negotiations were held to implement the October 28 agreement, including a United States demand that Soviet light bombers be removed from Cuba, and specifying the exact form and conditions of United States assurances not to invade Cuba.
  20. tension
    the action of stretching something tight
    During the public phase of the Crisis, tensions began to build on both sides.
  21. implement
    a piece of equipment or a tool used for a specific purpose
    Further negotiations were held to implement the October 28 agreement, including a United States demand that Soviet light bombers be removed from Cuba, and specifying the exact form and conditions of United States assurances not to invade Cuba.
  22. announce
    make known
    On October 22, Kennedy announced the discovery of the missile installations to the public and his decision to quarantine the island.
  23. armed forces
    the military forces of a nation
    The United States armed forces were at their highest state of readiness ever and Soviet field commanders in Cuba were prepared to use battlefield nuclear weapons to defend the island if it was invaded.
  24. weapon
    any instrument used in fighting or hunting
    The United States armed forces were at their highest state of readiness ever and Soviet field commanders in Cuba were prepared to use battlefield nuclear weapons to defend the island if it was invaded.
  25. nuclear
    constituting the core or central part
    The Cuban Missile Crisis was the closest the world ever came to nuclear war.
  26. avert
    turn away or aside
    Luckily, thanks to the bravery of two men, President John F. Kennedy and Premier Nikita Khrushchev, war was averted.
  27. launch
    propel with force
    Soviet missiles were only powerful enough to be launched against Europe but U.S. missiles were capable of striking the entire Soviet Union.
  28. remove
    take something away as by lifting, pushing, or taking off
    He also proclaimed that any nuclear missile launched from Cuba would be regarded as an attack on the United States by the Soviet Union and demanded that the Soviets remove all of their offensive weapons from Cuba.
  29. Cuban
    of or relating to or characteristic of Cuba or the people of Cuba
    The Cuban Missile Crisis was the closest the world ever came to nuclear war.
  30. United States
    North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
    The United States armed forces were at their highest state of readiness ever and Soviet field commanders in Cuba were prepared to use battlefield nuclear weapons to defend the island if it was invaded.
  31. Soviets
    the government of the Soviet Union
    He also proclaimed that any nuclear missile launched from Cuba would be regarded as an attack on the United States by the Soviet Union and demanded that the Soviets remove all of their offensive weapons from Cuba.
  32. Attorney General
    the position of the head of the Justice Department and the chief law enforcement officer of the United States
    Attorney General Robert Kennedy suggested ignoring the second letter and contacted Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin to tell him of the U.S. agreement with the first.
  33. intermediate
    lying between two extremes in time, space, or state
    In late April 1962, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev conceived the idea of placing intermediate-range missiles in Cuba.
  34. proclaim
    declare formally
    He also proclaimed that any nuclear missile launched from Cuba would be regarded as an attack on the United States by the Soviet Union and demanded that the Soviets remove all of their offensive weapons from Cuba.
  35. offensive
    unpleasant or disgusting especially to the senses
    He wished to prevent the arrival of more Soviet offensive weapons on the island.
  36. ignore
    refuse to acknowledge
    Attorney General Robert Kennedy suggested ignoring the second letter and contacted Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin to tell him of the U.S. agreement with the first.
  37. Turkey
    a Eurasian republic in Asia Minor and the Balkans
    A U-2 was shot down over Cuba and EX-COMM received a second letter from Khrushchev demanding the removal of U.S. missiles in Turkey in exchange for Soviet missiles in Cuba.
  38. impose
    charge and collect payment
    After seven days of guarded and intense debate within the upper echelons of government, Kennedy concluded to impose a naval quarantine around Cuba.
  39. arsenal
    all the weapons and equipment that a country has
    A deployment in Cuba would double the Soviet strategic arsenal and provide a real deterrent to a potential U.S. attack against the Soviet Union.
  40. defend
    protect against a challenge or attack
    The United States armed forces were at their highest state of readiness ever and Soviet field commanders in Cuba were prepared to use battlefield nuclear weapons to defend the island if it was invaded.
  41. strategic
    relating to an elaborate and systematic plan of action
    A deployment in Cuba would double the Soviet strategic arsenal and provide a real deterrent to a potential U.S. attack against the Soviet Union.
  42. guarantee
    an unconditional commitment that something will happen
    He proposed removing Soviet missiles and personnel if the U.S. would guarantee not to invade Cuba.
  43. phase
    any distinct time period in a sequence of events
    During the public phase of the Crisis, tensions began to build on both sides.
  44. attack
    an offensive against an enemy
    A deployment in Cuba would double the Soviet strategic arsenal and provide a real deterrent to a potential U.S. attack against the Soviet Union.
  45. island
    a land mass that is surrounded by water
    The United States armed forces were at their highest state of readiness ever and Soviet field commanders in Cuba were prepared to use battlefield nuclear weapons to defend the island if it was invaded.
  46. approve
    judge to be right or commendable; think well of
    Consequently, he approved of Khrushchev's plan to place missiles on the island.
  47. removal
    the act of taking out or causing to leave
    A U-2 was shot down over Cuba and EX-COMM received a second letter from Khrushchev demanding the removal of U.S. missiles in Turkey in exchange for Soviet missiles in Cuba.
  48. conclude
    bring to a close
    After seven days of guarded and intense debate within the upper echelons of government, Kennedy concluded to impose a naval quarantine around Cuba.
  49. reveal
    make visible
    For the United States, the crisis began on October 15, 1962 whenreconnaissance photographs revealed Soviet missiles under construction in Cuba.
  50. U.S.
    North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
    Soviet missiles were only powerful enough to be launched against Europe but U.S. missiles were capable of striking the entire Soviet Union.
  51. conceive
    have the idea for
    In late April 1962, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev conceived the idea of placing intermediate-range missiles in Cuba.
  52. assurance
    a binding commitment to do or give or refrain from something
    Further negotiations were held to implement the October 28 agreement, including a United States demand that Soviet light bombers be removed from Cuba, and specifying the exact form and conditions of United States assurances not to invade Cuba.
  53. photograph
    a picture taken with a camera or phone that shows people or scenes
    For the United States, the crisis began on October 15, 1962 whenreconnaissance photographs revealed Soviet missiles under construction in Cuba.
  54. potential
    existing in possibility
    A deployment in Cuba would double the Soviet strategic arsenal and provide a real deterrent to a potential U.S. attack against the Soviet Union.
  55. inevitable
    incapable of being avoided or prevented
    Ever since the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, Castro felt a second attack was inevitable.
  56. attorney
    a professional person authorized to practice law
    Attorney General Robert Kennedy suggested ignoring the second letter and contacted Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin to tell him of the U.S. agreement with the first.
  57. handle
    touch, lift, or hold
    Kennedy immediately organized the EX-COMM, a group of his twelve most important advisors to handle the crisis.
  58. eventually
    after an unspecified period of time or a long delay
    Kennedy eventually ordered low-level reconnaissance missions once every two hours.
  59. debate
    a discussion with reasons for and against some proposal
    After seven days of guarded and intense debate within the upper echelons of government, Kennedy concluded to impose a naval quarantine around Cuba.
  60. ambassador
    a diplomat of the highest rank
    Attorney General Robert Kennedy suggested ignoring the second letter and contacted Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin to tell him of the U.S. agreement with the first.
  61. suggest
    make a proposal; declare a plan for something
    Attorney General Robert Kennedy suggested ignoring the second letter and contacted Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin to tell him of the U.S. agreement with the first.
  62. prepare
    make ready or suitable or equip in advance
    The United States armed forces were at their highest state of readiness ever and Soviet field commanders in Cuba were prepared to use battlefield nuclear weapons to defend the island if it was invaded.
  63. intense
    possessing a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
    After seven days of guarded and intense debate within the upper echelons of government, Kennedy concluded to impose a naval quarantine around Cuba.
  64. include
    have as a part; be made up out of
    Further negotiations were held to implement the October 28 agreement, including a United States demand that Soviet light bombers be removed from Cuba, and specifying the exact form and conditions of United States assurances not to invade Cuba.
  65. construction
    the act of building something
    For the United States, the crisis began on October 15, 1962 whenreconnaissance photographs revealed Soviet missiles under construction in Cuba.
  66. commander
    an official who can give orders or control others
    The United States armed forces were at their highest state of readiness ever and Soviet field commanders in Cuba were prepared to use battlefield nuclear weapons to defend the island if it was invaded.
  67. ease
    freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort
    Tensions finally began to ease on October 28 when Khrushchev announced that he would dismantle the installations and return the missiles to the Soviet Union, expressing his trust that the United States would not invade Cuba.
  68. President
    the person who holds the office of head of state of the United States government
    Luckily, thanks to the bravery of two men, President John F. Kennedy and Premier Nikita Khrushchev, war was averted.
  69. provide
    give something useful or necessary to
    A deployment in Cuba would double the Soviet strategic arsenal and provide a real deterrent to a potential U.S. attack against the Soviet Union.
  70. mission
    an operation that is assigned by a higher headquarters
    Kennedy eventually ordered low-level reconnaissance missions once every two hours.
  71. capable
    having ability
    Soviet missiles were only powerful enough to be launched against Europe but U.S. missiles were capable of striking the entire Soviet Union.
  72. contact
    the act of touching physically
    Attorney General Robert Kennedy suggested ignoring the second letter and contacted Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin to tell him of the U.S. agreement with the first.
  73. raise
    move upwards
    On the 25th Kennedy pulled the quarantine line back and raised military readiness to DEFCON 2.
  74. range
    a variety of different things or activities
    In late April 1962, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev conceived the idea of placing intermediate-range missiles in Cuba.
  75. nation
    a politically organized body of people under a government
    Meanwhile, Fidel Castro was looking for a way to defend his island nation from an attack by the U.S.
  76. removed
    separate or apart in time, space, or character
    Further negotiations were held to implement the October 28 agreement, including a United States demand that Soviet light bombers be removed from Cuba, and specifying the exact form and conditions of United States assurances not to invade Cuba.
  77. bay
    an indentation of a shoreline smaller than a gulf
    Ever since the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, Castro felt a second attack was inevitable.
  78. level
    a relative position or degree of value in a graded group
    Kennedy eventually ordered low-level reconnaissance missions once every two hours.
  79. entire
    constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
    Soviet missiles were only powerful enough to be launched against Europe but U.S. missiles were capable of striking the entire Soviet Union.
  80. John
    disciple of Jesus
    Luckily, thanks to the bravery of two men, President John F. Kennedy and Premier Nikita Khrushchev, war was averted.
  81. Robert
    United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
    Attorney General Robert Kennedy suggested ignoring the second letter and contacted Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin to tell him of the U.S. agreement with the first.
  82. receive
    get something; come into possession of
    A U-2 was shot down over Cuba and EX-COMM received a second letter from Khrushchev demanding the removal of U.S. missiles in Turkey in exchange for Soviet missiles in Cuba.
  83. Europe
    the 2nd smallest continent
    Soviet missiles were only powerful enough to be launched against Europe but U.S. missiles were capable of striking the entire Soviet Union.
  84. military
    the armed forces of a nation
    On the 25th Kennedy pulled the quarantine line back and raised military readiness to DEFCON 2.
  85. state
    the way something is with respect to its main attributes
    The United States armed forces were at their highest state of readiness ever and Soviet field commanders in Cuba were prepared to use battlefield nuclear weapons to defend the island if it was invaded.
  86. government
    the system or form by which a community is ruled
    After seven days of guarded and intense debate within the upper echelons of government, Kennedy concluded to impose a naval quarantine around Cuba.
Created on Thu Dec 13 14:47:17 EST 2012

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