Cuban Revolution Compromise

“Compromise does not mean cowardice.”

-Profiles In Courage A stubborn refusal to compromise is the root of many conflicts. From quarrels between men to strife between nations, conflict destroys, yet nearly all conflicts can be avoided with a compromise. Compromises, however, are not immediate, and are difficult to decide upon. In October 1962, during an event called the Cuban Missile Crisis, the world came close to losing this struggle for peace, but, through compromise, the massive crisis was averted.

Before The Crisis In 1955, the 26th of July Movement was organized in Cuba. Its name commemorates a rebel attack of 1953. This “movement” was essentially a revolutionary group, comparable to the Sons of Liberty of the American revolution.

This greatly escalated the Cuban revolution. The 26th of July Movement worked to cover any trace of Batista’s presidency, even capturing and killing his remaining supporters. Many Cubans fled to America after seeing their home country take such a turn of violence.

In January, Castro formed a provisional government in Batista’s place. He was not technically a member of it, but he still held more social power than anyone else in Cuba. He had abundant support and worship from the citizens of Cuba, but America was concerned about his left-wing views and extreme revolutionary attitude. His claims and actions were rising from nationalist to socialist, and America was preparing to fight his ironic restrictions on the country. This led to the Bay Of Pigs. Under the consultation of the new President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, the CIA enacted a failed invasion of Cuba in April 1961. This event was a major embarrassment for the U.S, worsening Fidel Castro’s anger and America’s strained relation with

As a reconnaissance Air Force major, Rudolf Anderson, made his way over the island, he was spotted, decided to be gathering too much classified Cuban information, and shot down. Anderson died that day, but in his death, he provided the leaders of either opposing countries with a sample taste of what a war could really mean for the world. Nikita Khrushchev's own son, Sergei Khrushchev, even reported, “It was at that very moment—not before or after—that father felt the situation was slipping out of his control…” (Klein) It was a reality check for leaders of both sides. In this way, Mr. Anderson’s death contained a crisis quickly developing into a war.

Day 13: On the final day of the Cuban Missile Crisis, a compromise was made. This is what saved the world from disaster. In a letter from Soviet leader Khrushchev to President Kennedy, an offer was made to remove the Cuban missiles if the U.S would agree to remove the blockade, as well as our missiles in Turkey. America agreed almost immediately. Even though the withdrawal of our own missiles meant a loss for us, it was undoubtedly worth it. We backed down in exchange for the equivalent from the Soviets.

We didn’t beat the Soviets, but we didn’t start a war either. We remained at peace, and that is the real battle. Though tension with the Soviets didn’t disappear overnight, potentially hundreds of millions of lives were spared- all through a