An Analysis of 13 Days

prof ONeill Atlantic human races II April 16th 2010 Characterizing the First World struggle as an epidemic of miscalculation, prexy John F. Kennedy pondered, they somehow seemed to tumble into strugglefare through stupidity, individual idiosyncrasies, mis beneathstandings, and personal complexes of inferiority and grandeur (49). Reflecting upon these miscalculations, Robert F. Kennedys thirteen Days documents the Cuban Missile Crisis and catalogues the chairs contemplative run amidst potential disaster.Considering the misjudgment that drove conflict in the early twentieth century, and the socio-technological double electric switch of war, death chair Kennedy found remedy in the maintenance of throw channels of external communication, bandage regarding the international domino armed forces unit of separately action, and exhibiting constant skepticism in hunting of a irenic resolution. German sociologist Max Weber wrote of the Great fight, this war, with in all its g hastliness, is nevertheless grand and wonderful. It is expenditure experiencing (EP 768).Embellishing the heroism of warfare, Weber reflects a common acceptance of war in the early twentieth century as one of sport and necessity. However, with the outgrowth of nu dispatch arms came a paradigm shift concerning war and its component part amid international powers. Acknowledging the destructive potential of nu cash in ones chips warfare, Kennedy adamantly stated, We were not passing to misjudge or challenge the other side needlessly, or sharp push our adversaries into a course of action that was not intended (75).Using diachronic precedent as his guide, President Kennedy acts upon the belief that war is rarely intentional, while also recognizing the evolving dynamic of war as one of an arms struggle. The activity of this lesson exists in Kennedys resolution to utilize quarantine as contend to armed conflict at the Soviets Unions initial threat. abroad ships given orders to retr eat would be afforded such an opportunity, any vessel refusing to plosive consonant would have its rudders disabled to reverse loss of life, and ships not belonging to the Soviet Union were the irst and yet to be boarded, as to not incite a military response. Executing such action demonstrates the Presidents clear understanding of past misjudgment, and the paradigm shift that now characterized war as something not of sport, but of mass destruction. Robert Kennedy reaf squares such in declaring, If we erred, we erred not hardly for ourselves and our country, but for the lives of those who had never been given an opportunity to play a habit (81). This statement epitomizes the overwhelming burden of nuclear war, and the erudition necessary to vitiate it.Vital to the avoidance of miscalculation and the development of a mutual understanding were turn out channels of communication during the Cuban Crisis. President Kennedy recognized the importance of conformable communication to evade impulsive action, and promote logically sound decision-making. some(prenominal)(prenominal) an example exists in Robert Kennedys Thirteen Days in which Soviet Chairman Khrushchev and President Kennedy exchange messages outlining the guidelines towards peaceful resolution. We must not buckle under to petty passions, or to transient things, but should realize that if indeed war should break out, then it would not be in our power to restrain it, for such is the logic of war (66). Stated by Khrushchev in pursuit of mutual amity, such communication demonstrates the importance of clarity and transparency under desperate circumstances. This quotation further exhibits recognition of the warped nature of warfare, and ac companionships registers wrongdoings that provoked destruction.President Kennedy concluded deliberations in stating, the effect of such a settlement on easing cosmos tensions would enable us to execute towards a more general arrangement the United States is very much interested in reducing tensions and halting the arms race (79). The clear and concise nature of this exchange lends sycophancy to the diplomatical nature of Kennedys tactics, providing both the United States and Soviet Union with the opportunity to ultimately avoid nuclear holocaust. The snowball effect exhibited through the First World War demonstrates the danger of tumbling into conflict through allied obligation and diplomatic stupidity.President Kennedys aptitude to tactfully neutralize the Cuban Crisis demonstrates an awareness of that danger, and an perceptiveness for the international domino effect that warfare would generate between nations. potently stated by Robert Kennedy, we had to be aware of this responsibility at all times, aware that we were deciding for the United States, the Soviet Union, NATO, and for all of mankind (75). such concern for the spheric repercussion of warfare can be observed in President Kennedys constant scrutiny of military recommenda tions and their effect upon the entire western hemisphere.Seeking alternative solutions to war as well as the approval of global powers, Robert Kennedy further states, we were able to establish a firm legal foundation for our action under the OAS charter, and our position around the world was unanimously supported for a quarantine (40). This diplomatic strategy, founded upon the support of voiceless European and American allies, aided the United States in considering the implications of all achievable courses of action as to ensure a promise of peace for themselves and the global community.A final strategy, central to the diplomatic triumph of the Cuban Missile Crisis, refers to the government and success of Kennedys Executive Committee of the National Security Council. trance each proposed solution held inherent weaknesses, this committee would allow for constant deliberation, argument, and debate. The ability to scrutinize each proposal reinforced a reasonable decision-making process, thereby diminishing the risk of the impulsive miscalculation or misjudgment that had prompted war only decades earlier.Embodying the significance of the Executive Committee, Robert Kennedy declares, everyone had an equal opportunity to express himself and to be strain directly. It was a tremendously advantageous procedure that does not frequently get along within the executive branch (36). Furthermore, President Kennedy is reported to have gone through considerable lengths to ensure that he was not insulated from individuals or points of come across because of rank or position (89).While such an arrangement seems idealistic, President Kennedys recognition of all available viewpoints provided an extremely broad base of knowledge upon which to draw conclusions. It was this open-minded and reasonable approach that was heavily lacking front to the Great Wars of the early twentieth century, thereby leading to global disasters that may have been averted under more logical circumstances. The measures taken by President Kennedy, as presented through Robert Kennedys Thirteen Days, lend overwhelming praise to his diplomatic triumph during the Cuban Missile Crisis.His success is reported as being founded upon the miscalculations of history, and a correction of those past errors in pursuit of peaceful relations. However, the idealistic manner in which the Presidents actions are pictured reek of both brotherly admiration and posthumous praise. Such a utopian presentation only serves to diminish President Kennedys luxurious role amidst the crisis, and leads the contracter to question how pivotal his leadership actually was. A personal memoir of Robert F. Kennedy, Thirteen Days must be read with a grain of salt to properly assess its hardiness as a historical record.While the President certainly acknowledged the socio-technological paradigm shift of modern warfare in addition to the stupidity from which the First World War emerged, Thirteen Days most obvio usly dismisses crucial events antecede the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Bay of Pigs Invasion, an unsuccessful attempt by American-trained Cuban refugees to overthrow the government of Fidel Castro, completely contradicts President Kennedys supposed cognizance of the dangers of nuclear war and impulsive military action.The failed invasion, initiated only three months afterward President Kennedys inauguration, humiliated the Administration and made communist nations green-eyed of the United States. In addition, John F. Kennedy is consistently praised throughout his brothers memoir for welcoming the viewpoints of not just government administrators, but rhythmical people. For example, he wanted the advice of his Cabinet officers, but he also wished to hear from Tommy Thompson (89). However, not once throughout Kennedys memoir does he book of facts speaking to demesne soldiers or their names.The generic label of Tommy Thompson reduces the authors faith in such sources, and President Kennedy is even shown to mock military figures in stating, they lacked the ability to look beyond the limited military field (90). Such evidence cannot be overlooked in determining the validity of President Kennedys success, and reduces the objectivity of this historical source. However, the ultimate success of President Kennedys historical reflections and peace-seeking measures cannot be denied.While Thirteen Days nearly emits perceptible applause for his actions, it accurately reports the measures taken to subdue the Cuban Missile Crisis, the specialty of quarantine and the importance of bargaining and communication. These actions, prompted through the establishment of the Executive Committee, resulted in the removal of nuclear arms from Cuba and the reestablishment of the global status quo. Rescuing our nation on the brink of nuclear war, the reader has no choice but to terminal Thirteen Days with a deeper admiration for the courage and wisdom of President Kennedy.