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10. Could the USA claim that its policy of containment had worked successfully and that it

had saved the world from nuclear war? Using the events and aftermath of the Cuban
Missile Crisis, write an essay backing up your view. [7]

User Tokabi
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The policy of containment was a major part of the United States' foreign policy during the Cold War. Its goal was to prevent the spread of communism and contain the Soviet Union's influence around the world. The policy was implemented through various means, including economic aid, military intervention, and diplomatic negotiations. The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 was a critical moment in the implementation of the containment policy, and its outcome could be seen as a success in achieving the goal of preventing nuclear war.

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day political and military standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union over the installation of Soviet missiles in Cuba. The situation was tense, and there were fears that it could escalate into a nuclear war. President Kennedy's decision to impose a naval quarantine on Cuba and demand that the Soviet Union remove the missiles was a critical moment in the crisis. The United States and the Soviet Union came to an agreement in which the missiles would be removed from Cuba, and the United States would promise not to invade Cuba and remove its missiles from Turkey.

The outcome of the Cuban Missile Crisis can be seen as a success for the containment policy. The United States was able to prevent a nuclear war with the Soviet Union and preserve its national security. It was also able to contain the spread of communism in the Western Hemisphere by preventing the installation of Soviet missiles in Cuba. The policy of containment was successful in achieving its goal of preventing the spread of communism and containing the Soviet Union's influence around the world.

However, it is important to note that the containment policy was not without its limitations and drawbacks. The policy was costly, and the United States was involved in numerous conflicts and interventions around the world, some of which were controversial and had significant consequences. Additionally, the policy did not prevent the spread of communism in all regions of the world, and the Soviet Union continued to have significant influence in many areas.

In conclusion, the outcome of the Cuban Missile Crisis can be seen as a success for the policy of containment. The crisis was a critical moment in the Cold War, and the United States was able to prevent a nuclear war and contain the spread of communism in the Western Hemisphere. However, the policy of containment was not perfect and had limitations, and its success in preventing the spread of communism and saving the world from nuclear war can be debated.

User Phil Klein
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