Key People Involved in the Crisis
John F. Kennedy meets Nikita Khrushchev at the Vienna SummitAlthough the Cuban Missile Crisis was a result of numerous events occurring over the span of many years, the crucial decisions affecting the crisis were made by only a few important people. The primary leaders of the United States, the Soviet Union, and Cuba all turned to their closest advisors to help guide them through the crisis.
Below is information about the leaders and their main advisors for each involved country, as well as a short documentary describing Nikita Khrushchev and John F. Kennedy, the leaders of the two superpowers.
Below is information about the leaders and their main advisors for each involved country, as well as a short documentary describing Nikita Khrushchev and John F. Kennedy, the leaders of the two superpowers.
The United States
John F. Kennedy- Leader of the United States of America during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Robert Kennedy- Brother, closest advisor of John F. Kennedy. Member of EXCOMM and Attorney General during the crisis.
Robert McNamara- Secretary of Defense, member of EXCOMM during the crisis. Greatly favored blockade option over air strike.
The Soviet Union
Nikita Khrushchev- Leader of the Soviet Union during part of the Cold War, Cuban Missile Crisis.
Anatoly Dobrynin- Soviet ambassador to the United States. Primary contact for the Kennedy administration's communication to the USSR.
Cuba
Fidel Castro- Prime minister of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Che Guevara- Closest advisor of Fidel Castro. Played important role in bring Soviet missiles to Cuba.
John F. Kennedy- Leader of the United States of America during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Robert Kennedy- Brother, closest advisor of John F. Kennedy. Member of EXCOMM and Attorney General during the crisis.
Robert McNamara- Secretary of Defense, member of EXCOMM during the crisis. Greatly favored blockade option over air strike.
The Soviet Union
Nikita Khrushchev- Leader of the Soviet Union during part of the Cold War, Cuban Missile Crisis.
Anatoly Dobrynin- Soviet ambassador to the United States. Primary contact for the Kennedy administration's communication to the USSR.
Cuba
Fidel Castro- Prime minister of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Che Guevara- Closest advisor of Fidel Castro. Played important role in bring Soviet missiles to Cuba.