The Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 pushed the United States and the Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear war. This lesson will have students critically examine the complex relationship between the United States and Cuba that led to this climatic point in history. Students will delve deeper into this conflict by analyzing the differing points of view and perspectives concerning the events that led to the Cuban Missile Crisis through the study of three sources of information.

This resource is a perfect lesson for students to work independently, or for a substitute to teach!

This lesson includes:

• Teacher Reference Guide
• Reading: ‘On the Brink- From the Bay of Pigs to the Cuban Missile Crisis’
• 44 min Documentary film ‘Fidel Castro Declassified’
• 2 page set of 7 questions (analysis and comprehension)
• Venn Diagram
• American history textbook version

If you liked this lesson see other related ‘Cold War’ lessons here:

• Hot War Turns into the Cold War
• The Cold War and Vietnam
• Cold War Unit Review & Assessment
• The Korean War: A Critical Reading Activity
• Protest Movements of the 1960's: E-Chapter Textbook Project