Question

Read the excerpt from a 40th anniversary presentation about the Cuban Missile Crisis.

"In his biography of JFK, Ted Sorensen wrote . . . : ‘Above all, Kennedy believed in retaining a choice, not a choice between red or dead or Holocaust or humiliation, but a variety of military options in the event of aggression and an opportunity for time and maneuver in the instruments of diplomacy, and a balanced approach to every crisis which combined both defense and diplomacy.’”

Based on this excerpt, what is the best reason that Kennedy chose to blockade Cuba rather than take stronger military action?

He was afraid of the USSR’s power and its possible effects on the US.
He wanted to convince Cubans to support a democratic government again.
He wanted to keep many choices available rather than resorting to military force first.
He thought a less warlike option would work because the USSR was not able to attack.

Answer 1

He wanted to keep many choices available rather than resorting to military force first.

Step-by-step explanation:

It would show that the USA was serious, but it would not be a direct act of war. He believed it would put the burden on Khrushchev to decide what to do next.