Aerial+Photo+of+Missiles+in+Cuba,+1962

=Aerial Photo of Missiles in Cuba, 1962=

The Cuban Missile Crisis:

 * Since the end of WW II the United States and the USSR were in a cold war. It was a bullet less war but nevertheless a most dangerous one. This was due to the possibility of nuclear war. Both the United States and the USSR had long range nuclear capabilities. Also, It was known that if just one spark went off nuclear holocaust could ensue.


 * The Cuban missile Crisis occurred in October of 1962 during the height of the cold war. The cold war between the Soviet Union and the Unites States was still in effect.The U.S spotted missile locations in a photograph over Cuba. Later president John F Kennedy addressed the nation on the issue. He then ordered a naval blockade around Cuba. Only seventy miles from the coast of Florida.


 * The controversy happened when Soviet naval vessels approached the U.S blockade around Cuba. A standoff between the American and Soviet ships ensued. The crisis was averted but the significance is high, never before in the history of the world was nuclear war so imminent. For the people living in this time it must have been frightening to know one day your country may be under attack with weapons of mass destruction. The Cuban missile Crisis was the climax of the cold war and nearly started a nuclear battle between the world’s super powers. For this reason I would rate this document with a 25. Although a war did not result it was very close, and the wrong decision by either side could have led to nuclear holocaust.
 * paraphrased from NSA

Treaty of Alliance with France, 177[[image:cuban_#2.JPG width="655" height="526" align="right"]]8
The treaty represented a common enemy to the two parties. Both the colonies and France were at war or had been at war with Britain. The colonies were at the time fighting the American Revolution. While France had fought the seven years war or the French and Indian war just a few years earlier. They had lost that war and were looking for revenge. France and England were the global super powers of the day. Britain had the largest navy while France was comparable in other respects. Both nations hated each other and went to war constantly. The treaty cemented a colonial a relationship between the US and France. It explicitly states that if war shall break out in the future the U.S will aid France just as France will aid the U.S in it’s fight for independence.


 * excerpts paraphrased from original document

Both documents represent and incredible significance in American history. The Treaty of Alliance shows how the USA won its war of independence. Thus becoming a free nation, while the Cuban Missile Crisis shows what it takes to preserve freedom. I say without France’s help in the Revolutionary war, The colonies would have remained under British rule. But with the aid of France the United States gained control of their land and won the war. At the same time, the Cuban missile crisis posed one of the greatest threats to our nation since it was formed nearly two hundred years prior. Both issues involve foreign policy in relation to the super powers of the time. Also the documents involve the establishment and preservation of a free state through foreign leadership.