The Cuban Missile Crisis

THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS

INTRODUCTION

While the Cuban Missile crises took place forty-five years ago, it remains a classic example of successful strategic decision making at the level of the nation state. This report details the crisis using the evaluative concepts and framework of strategic decision making.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE

We are nearing the anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis; the 14 days of terror that held American citizens hostage in October 1962. With the war in Iraq, terrorist attacks and probable nuclear weapons capability of countries like North Korea and Iran, the world is again in an unstable state. From a managerial perspective, evaluating historical data can be key to managing the inherent risk involved in strategic planning for an uncertain future. While you may never be called upon to make a decision with as much at stake as did the Executive Committee in the Cuban Missile Crisis, as future managers, you will be called upon to make strategic decisions that will affect your organization, your employees and yourself. Studying the Cuban Missile Crisis where the concepts and techniques of strategic decision making were so successfully employed will enhance your understanding of the process and increase your ability to effectively apply those same concepts when required.

BACKGROUND

Since World War II, the United States has been on edge of a bombing from a foreign country. The hysteria made people practice bomb raid drills and even build anti-bomb shelters under their houses with enough food, water and supplies to last through an attack on the United States. The bomb scare after WW II soon died down, but those feelings quickly resurged with The Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Cuban Missile Crisis was one of the most terrifying events in the history of the United States. The actual crisis was for only fourteen days, but the growing tensions between the United States and Cuba started in 1959 with the Cuban Revolution. During this time Cuba's dictator Fulgencio Batista was overthrown by a revolutionary leader named Fidel Castro who then turned Cuba into a Communist country.

Before Castro came to power the United States had influenced Cuba in their politics and economy. Fidel wanted nothing to do with the United States and denounced them by confiscating houses and property owned