If We Knew Then What We Know Now
American Student Group
Directions:Your group represents a group or intelligence analysts assigned to read and interpret intelligence regarding Cuban activity. President Kennedy has assigned you the responsibility to read each piece of intelligence, analyze the documents, and prepare a policy briefing which outlines what steps he, as president, should take next.
Handouts
(one for each student)JOB 1:
Consult the following documents to develop a sense of Castro's intentions and fill out a Document Analysis Worksheet for each document:www.state.gov/www/about_state/history/frusX/301_315.html
[declassified Mongoose-related documents — Note: You will need to scroll through to locate appropriate documents.]
www.state.gov/www/about_state/history/frusX/01_15.html
[pre-Bay of Pigs final exile invasion plan, January of 1961 under Eisenhower]
www.parascope.com/ds/articles/mongooseDoc1.htm
[line-item listing of possible covert operations]
www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/nsa/DOCUMENT/930827.htm
[balloon propaganda]
www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/coldwar/documents/episode-10/01-01.htm
[Cuba is actively seeking to export its revolution.]
playagiron.org/docs/guevara/method.php
[Che Guevara sees guerilla action as a way of spreading communism in Latin America.]
JOB 2:
After you have read the documents, discuss this question with your group:
- Given the fact that the United States actively supported the Batista regime that Castro replaced and that the United States officially opposes the spread of communism, to what degree does Cuba threaten American interests in Latin America? Students should assign a score to each of the following three options. A score of one indicates top priority, meaning U.S. efforts should work first and foremost toward this goal.
- Cuba is NOT a threat to the United States or its interests: The United States should restore peaceful diplomatic relations and come to terms with Castro.
- Cuba is not an immediate threat to the United States, but may become a Cold War obstacle to U.S. goals in Latin America: The United States shouldaccept the status quo, but use covert operations to prevent Castro from exporting his revolution to other Latin American nations.
JOB 3:
As you consult the documents available for your group you will begin to develop a position concerning the action the United States should take in relation to Cuba. Create a one-page briefing to Kennedy which does the following:
- summarizes your findings
- predicts Cuba's next move
- recommends a specific action
- justifies the action you recommend
JOB 4:
Prepare to present your briefing to the class.