A New Leader & A Flexible Response
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Why did President John F. Kennedy want to increase nuclear weapons and improve U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War?
Kennedy wanted to make the U.S. stronger against the Soviet Union and communism. He believed America had fewer missiles and needed to catch up, while also working on peaceful solutions like banning nuclear tests.
6. What was the role of the Peace Corps in Kennedy's foreign policy?
Answer: The Peace Corps sent American volunteers to help other countries, which showed goodwill and helped build strong, non-communist relationships.
What was the Bay of Pigs invasion and what was the U.S. trying to do?
It was a failed attempt by Cuban exiles, supported by the U.S., to overthrow Fidel Castro.
Why did East Germany and the Soviet Union build the Berlin Wall in 1961?
To stop people from escaping from communist East Berlin to democratic West Berlin.
What event started the Space Race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union?
The Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first satellite, in 1957. It shocked the U.S. and started the race to space.
3. What was the purpose of Kennedy’s "flexible response" strategy during the Cold War?
The flexible response was created to fight communist movements using small, specially trained military groups like the Green Berets, instead of using large-scale war.
5. How did Kennedy use foreign aid to prevent the spread of communism?
He created programs like the Alliance for Progress and the Peace Corps to help poor countries with education, health, and farming, making them less likely to support communism.
Why did the Bay of Pigs invasion fail so quickly?
The U.S. canceled air support, and the Cuban military easily defeated the invaders.
How did the U.S. find out about the Soviet missiles in Cuba?
American spy planes took photos of missile sites being built in Cuba, which confirmed the presence of Soviet weapons.
Who was the first person to orbit Earth, and what country was he from?
Yuri Gagarin from the Soviet Union orbited Earth in April 1961.
4. Why did Kennedy think guerrilla warfare training was necessary for the U.S. military?
Because communist fighters were using guerrilla tactics—small ambushes and surprise attacks—so the U.S. needed to adapt and train soldiers to fight in the same way.
Why did Kennedy believe giving aid to poor countries could stop the spread of communism?
→ He thought if people had better lives, they wouldn’t support communist revolutions.
How did the Bay of Pigs affect Kennedy’s image as a leader?
It made him look inexperienced, and many Americans and world leaders saw it as a big mistake.
What options did President Kennedy consider during the missile crisis?
He considered bombing the sites, invading Cuba, or setting up a naval blockade to stop more missiles from arriving.
How did the United States respond to Soviet space achievements?
The U.S. increased funding to NASA and set a goal to land a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s.
How did flexible response help the U.S. react to different situations around the world?
It gave the president choices like sending advisors or using economic help instead of jumping into big wars.
What was the goal of the Alliance for Progress in Latin America?
To help countries improve education, farming, and health care, and build better economies.
What message did the failed invasion send to the Soviet Union?
It suggested the U.S. might not be as strong or confident in stopping communism.
What was the U.S. response to the missile buildup in Cuba?
Kennedy ordered a "quarantine" (a naval blockade) around Cuba and warned the Soviet Union to remove the missiles.
What was President Kennedy’s goal for the space program?
He wanted the U.S. to land a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth before the decade ended.
What was one possible risk of the flexible response strategy?
→ It could lead to the U.S. getting involved in many small conflicts, like Vietnam, that were hard to win.
How did the Peace Corps show American values to other countries?
Volunteers helped in schools, farms, and hospitals, which showed kindness and support from the U.S.
How did the invasion affect U.S. relations with Cuba?
It made Cuba turn more toward the Soviet Union for support and protection.
How was the Cuban Missile Crisis resolved without war?
The Soviet Union agreed to remove the missiles from Cuba if the U.S. promised not to invade Cuba and secretly remove its missiles from Turkey.
What major space achievement did the U.S. accomplish in 1969?
Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission.