The Cuban Missile Crisis The Causes and Effects

The Cuban Missile Crisis The Causes and Effects The focus on nuclear weapons was the typical feature of two powerful states’ development during the period of the Cold War. The Soviet Union and the United States were ready to use the possibilities of the nuclear weapons in order to state their superiority at the global political arena. As a result, any conflict could become the reason for developing the global nuclear war.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Cuban Missile Crisis: The Causes and Effects specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The Cuban missile crisis of 1962 in which the Soviet Union, Cuba, and the United States were involved was the turning point of the states’ confrontation in the Cold War because of risks to develop the nuclear conflict (Carter, 2008).  Although there are many opinions on the causes and effects of the Cuban missile crisis, it is possible to determine the main factors which can be discussed as influential for developing t he most threatening situation in the world during the period of the Cold War. Thus, the causes for the crisis are closely associated with the Soviet Union’s intentions to protect the state from the US blockades and Cuba from the US invasion, and the effects depend on the peaceful resolution of the conflict with improving the connections between the two powerful states. The Causes for the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Role of Cuba The revolution in Cuba in 1959 made the United States discuss different methods to prevent the expansion of the Communist ideas at the territories near the US boundaries. The development of different plans to establish the anti-Communist regime in Cuba resulted in the Bay of Pigs Invasion of 1961 which was supported and realized by the US government (Pressman, 2001). The US President John F. Kennedy controlled the realization of the operation, but it was ineffective. The attempts of the invasion were considered by the Soviet Union as threatening to th e Communist regime and to the world’s peace. The reaction of the Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev to the actions of the US government was to place the Soviet nuclear missiles on Cuba according to the agreement with Fidel Castro. After the revolution, Fidel Castro relied on the support of the most powerful Communist state that is why the Soviet Union’s intentions were shared by the Cuban leader, and the construction of the missile sites was justified from the point of defense (Schier, 2010). The actions of Khrushchev could be explained with references to the risk of anti-Communist movements in Cuba. During the year of 1962, the intensified Cuban missile crisis increased the tension between the two powerful states ready to use the nuclear weapons in order to regulate the international conflict. The fact of the Bay of Pigs Invasion along with the results of the Berlin Crisis made the situation more complicated. In spite of the fact that the USA was against the idea of pla cing the missile constructions in Cuba, the Soviet Union continued to realize the idea to protect the state interests and perform the necessary security procedures.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Kennedy stated that the USA would focus on any measures to prevent the threat for the US nation’s security. However, during September of 1962, the Soviet Union realized all the necessary preparation procedures in order to construct the missile sites in Cuba (Pressman, 2001). The ignorance of Kennedy’s statement and position was also a result of the US policy in relation to constructing the missiles in Turkey which were discussed as potential risks for the Soviet Union. The United States paid much attention to the possibilities for the Soviet Union to construct the missile sites in Cuba, but only few indicators were noticed during September of 1962. All the controversial activities of the Soviet Union in Cuba were explained with references to the necessity to protect Cuba from the further invasions from the United States or other non-Communist countries. The tensions between the powerful states were intensified, and there were no opportunities to assess adequately the Soviet Union’s intentions in relation to defending Cuba and attacking the United States with the help of the missiles constructed at the territories of Cuba (Schier, 2010). From this point, the Soviet Union and the United States had no intentions to develop the nuclear war, but such a risk was obvious because of Kennedy and Khrushchev’s goals to protect the states’ interest by all means. The Development of the Crisis and John F. Kennedy’s Reaction to the Soviet Union’s Activities in Cuba The United States suspected that the Soviet Union constructed the missile sites in Cuba, but this information was not supported with evidences and facts. On October 14, during the operations to gather the necessary evidences, the U-2 aircraft took clear photographs on which the construction of the missile sites was fixed. It was noticed that the construction was realized for medium-range ballistic missiles as well as for intermediate-range ballistic missiles. Thus, the 13-day crisis started on October 15 when the information about the photographs was released. In few days, the Executive Committee of the National Security Council (EXCOMM) was organized in order to develop the plan of actions directed toward resolving the conflict situation (Stein, 2008). To react to the construction of the missile sites, the threat of the nuclear war, and the Soviet Union’s attacks, several different strategic approaches were proposed by the members of the EXCOMM. The problem was in the fact that there was no any prepared plan of actions because of the focus on the Soviet Union’s acceptance of conditions and agreements not to construct nuclear miss iles at the territories near the USA. It is possible to refer to different visions of the problem by the United States and by the Soviet Union. Thus, the Soviet Union placed the nuclear missiles in Cuba in response to placing the US missiles in Turkey and as the support for Cuba to prevent the further invading activities from the United States.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Cuban Missile Crisis: The Causes and Effects specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More From this perspective, the first measure discussed by the EXCOMM as the absence of reaction could be discussed as rather relevant in relation to the situation, but it was risky because of impossibility to predict the Soviet Union’s future actions and analyze their real intentions (Schier, 2010). The approach known as ‘do nothing’ was rejected by the majority of the EXCOMM representatives.  Different variants of diplomatic measures were discus sed as effective means to guarantee the Soviet Union’s removal of the missiles from the territories of Cuba. Nevertheless, the necessity to develop negations could lead to the unwanted concessions for the United States. Kennedy paid much attention to the military actions as the best approaches to make the Soviet Union realize the removal of the missiles. Thus, the accents were made on the active blockade of the missiles and invasion of Cuba. The possibility of the air strike was discussed as the reserved variant of actions during the discussion of the problem. However, the method of blockade was chosen as the most effective in order to prevent the Soviet Union from the further transportation of the missiles to the territories of Cuba. The blockade of the missiles’ transportation was also supported with the US government’s demand to remove the constructed missiles in Cuba. This approach was chosen because of a range of advantages. The open blockade demonstrated t he power of the United States and the readiness of the President to use the military forces. Furthermore, the method of blockade helped accentuate the US naval superiority in the region, and the realization of the measure provided Khrushchev with the necessary time to remove the constructed missile sites in Cuba (Carter, 2008). As a result, Khrushchev became responsible for the next step in the conflict. The effective blockade or ‘quarantine’ provided the United States with the opportunity to avoid the uncontrolled confrontation between the states which could end with the nuclear war. Thus, President Kennedy informed the nation about the Soviet Union’s missile sites in Cuba and the intention to realize the blockade with the help of the national television on October 22. The response of the Soviet Union to the actions of the United States was provided on October 23. The leaders of the state proclaimed that the actions of the USA were rather aggressive and threaten ing for the world peace (Gibson, 2012). The tension between the two powerful states increased significantly because the Soviet Union did not follow the US demands and the missiles were not removed.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The negotiations and discussions of the conflict could not result in the solution satisfactory for both the sides of the conflict.  The speech of the US President provoked significant international reaction to the conflict where the Western countries were inclined to support the position of the United States, and they discussed Kennedy’s approach to resolving the crisis as rather reasonable. The countries from the left camp considered the activities of United States as too aggressive and provocative in relation to the risk of the nuclear war. On October 27, the message by Khrushchev was broadcasted to demonstrate the response of the Soviet Union to the proposed concessions. It was stated in the message that the Soviet Union would remove the missiles from the territory of Cuba only after the removal of the US missiles from Turkey (Stein, 2008). The United States continued to support their vision of the conflict and rejected the conditions proposed in the message by Khrushche v. Furthermore, the Soviet Union’s missiles shot down the US plane, and the crisis was deepened. The risk of the war became obvious. The United States focused on the peaceful resolution of the conflict and accepted Khrushchev’s demands to remove the missiles from the territories of Turkey. The leaders of the state expected the removal of the Soviet Union’s missiles from Cuba in response to the US actions as it was stated earlier in Khrushchev’s message (Gibson, 2012). As a result, the rejection of the proposed conditions by Khrushchev could lead to his complete responsibility for the further development of military actions.  On October 28, the crisis was resolved when Khrushchev agreed with the prepositions and actions of the United States. Thus, the resolution of the conflict was the result of the effective diplomatic strategies used by Kennedy and the United States’ administration in order to regulate the problem. The Cuban-based missiles were dismantled as well as the US missiles were dismantled and removed from the territories of Turkey (Carter, 2008). The thirteen days of the crisis ended with starting a new page in the international relations between the two powerful states of the United States and the Soviet Union. The Effects of the Cuban Missile Crisis Focusing on the effects of the Cuban missile crisis, it is possible to state that the blockade realized by the United States and the associated demands were the only relevant method to resolve the conflict successfully for both the sides and avoid the development of the nuclear war. However, the nuclear war cannot be discussed as the goal of the Soviet Union determined before placing the missiles in Cuba or as the end goal of the United States to resolve the conflict in the region. The prestige and role of Kennedy at the global political arena increased because of the obvious success of his diplomatic strategies used to resolve the Cuban crisis. Khrushchev also benef ited from the peaceful resolution of the conflict when the United States confirmed the decision not to invade Cuba in the future. The negative consequences of the crisis were connected with the status of Khrushchev in the Kremlin because of his impossibility to resolve the conflict to his advantage. Thus, Khrushchev’s intentions and motivation in relation to placing the missiles in Cuba remain to be the topic for many discussions (Stein, 2008). It is possible to state that the location of the missiles at the territories of Cuba was the part of the developed strategy used by the Soviet Union in order to succeed in the Cold War. The effective resolution of the crisis led to the improvement of relations between the United States and the Soviet Union with references to improving the channels for the direct communication between the presidents. Thus, the Moscow-Washington hotline was worked out in order to prevent the similar conflicts in the future. Later, in 1963, the United Sta tes and the Soviet Union signed the Agreement forbidding the exploration of the nuclear weapons. Thus, the Cuban crisis can be discussed as the first influential step toward discussing the development of nuclear weapons as the illegal activities which can result in the millions of victims and enormous devastation. The strategic model to regulate the crisis which was realized by Kennedy and the US administration during the process of the conflict resolution is discussed by researchers as the classical model utilized today as the example of the successful diplomatic approach to resolving crises (Gibson, 2011). It was important for Kennedy to develop such a plan and conditions which could satisfy the opposite side and which could be successfully accepted by the both sides.  It is possible to state that the effects of the Cuban crisis are in definite changes in the United States and Soviet Union’s policies. Thus, both the states realized the significant dependence on each other which was emphasized with references to the threat of the nuclear war. The relations between these two world powerful states achieved the new stage, and attempts of collaboration were realized in order to avoid the development of such conflict situations in the future (George, 2003). If the causes of the crisis cannot be stated clearly because of impossibility to conclude about Khrushchev’s intentions, the positive effects of the crisis are obvious. Conclusion The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 is the result of the prolonged confrontation between the two world powerful states such as the United States and the Soviet Union. The situation of the intensified tensions between the states’ leaders and developed Cold War provoked the placement of the Soviet Union’s missiles at the territories of Cuba as the reaction to the US invasion of Cuba and aggression. Non-resolved conflicts between the two states stimulated the development of new problems and conflicts, and Cuban crisis became such an influential conflict which made the public speak about the threat of not only the third world war but also about the possibilities of the nuclear war. On the one hand, the Soviet Union focused on protecting the interests of the Cuban revolution and preventing the further attempts of the US forces to invade Cuba. On the other hand, the United States responded to the risk of being attacked by the Soviet Union’s missiles because of the intensified conflicts. From this point, the causes for the development of the crisis were closely associated with the years of the Cold War and confrontation between the two states. The blockade of the Soviet Union’s transport with the materials for constructing the missiles sites in Cuba along with the demand to remove the built missiles sites was discussed by the United States as the most effective measure to resolve the conflict following the interests of the both sides. That is why, the realized diplomatic measure s can be considered as the first step to resolving the prolonged Cold War and to avoiding the further crises. References Carter, E. (2008). The Cuban missile crisis. USA: Paw Prints. George, A. (2003). Awaiting Armageddon: How Americans faced the Cuban missile crisis. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. Gibson, D. (2011). Speaking of the future: Contentious narration during the Cuban missile crisis. Qualitative Sociology, 34(2), 503–522. Gibson, D. (2012). Talk at the brink: Deliberation and decision during the Cuban missile crisis. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Pressman, J. (2001). September statements, October missiles, November elections: Domestic politics, foreign-policy making, and the Cuban missile crisis. Security Studies, 10(3), 80–114. Schier, H. (2010). Cuban missile crisis. USA: ABDO. Stein, C. (2008). Cuban missile crisis: In the shadow of nuclear war. USA: Enslow Publishers, Inc.

Strengths and weaknesses of the Baldrige Award

Strengths and weaknesses of the Baldrige Award Introduction The Baldrige award came to be in 1987 when the death of the secretary of commerce Mr. Malcolm Baldrige. The full names are Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, and the award is funded by congress through the secretary of commerce.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Strengths and weaknesses of the Baldrige Award specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The sole essence of starting this award was to promote the organization to have promoted total quality management among American companies for easier ushering them to 21st century. Total quality management seeks to ensure that an organization continually improves, as well as keeps in mind the satisfaction of the customers. In short, it seeks not to achieve perfection but to continually keep improving the organization’s services and achieve the highest level of success. The Baldrige criteria has evolved from being business oriented to accommodate ot her sectors of the economy. Some of these sectors include the following manufacturers, small businesses, Education, services industry, and healthcare. Other counties of the world have come to adopt it in the production since globalization has hit the world. All this can be attributing to the fact that there are achievable benefits by incorporating it especially in the business world. Strengths and weaknesses of the Baldrige Award There are various strengths that are so much of benefit to any organization in the world. To start with, organizations have been stimulated to improve their quality and productivity so as to gain recognition while at the same time having a competitive edge and gaining profits. The fact that there is recognition of the best performing companies when it comes to the quality means that a company will continual to strive to be among them since it promotes the image of a business organization. The fact that the award also runs through all sectors of the economy means that they are all enticed to achieve a high efficiency and through this, the whole economy develops (Davis et al., 1999). Applicability is another strength found in Baldrige criterion. The meaning of this is that it can be applied to all organizations irrespective of their size. It is also not discriminative to the type of industry involved, whether it is service or manufacturing, all of them are included. The same is extended to sectors of the economy, as it is applicable to both the public and private sectors of the economy. Awareness is also brought out through the existence of this award. The challenge of foreign firms is highlighted and as statistics have shown United States, national growth and competition has been low in the last two decades. There is also the impact in knowledge it offers to companies and business organization in various sectors of the economy. Facts like the circumstance that poor quality costs consume about 20% of all the revenues in the country have been revealed through it. In addition, essential information has been unveiled to various organizations, among them are the benefits that are accrued due to having quality products. For example, having quality products means a higher productivity is achieved and that same time it minimizes the cost of producing them (Leonard, 2005).Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Enhancement on the strategic planning of the quality and quality movement has also been experienced. The achievement of this is through a desired commitment to have excellence in the both manufacturing and services industry. In turn, the economy has been improved as well as the ability to compete in the global market. It improves the cost the quality of manufactured goods. The cost of production has also been minimized by having knowledge of how to improve the productivity of workers and usage o f statistics to control cost. Quality is also improved as the company incorporates measures that are able to improve the company’s competitive edge through having products of high quality (Evans, 2008). It also ensures that the consumers demand are met, indirectly Baldrige award ensures that the demand of the consumers are considered as well as been put into perspective as it is one of the requirement necessary to remain competitive in the market. Only with the satisfaction of the consumers does an organization continue to remain in the market, and this is one of the most important things management should consider doing. The focus of the company’s strengths and weaknesses is also considered. It is important for the organization to ensure that they maintain the strengths they have in the market and subsequently try to minimize the weaknesses that may be putting them down in their fighting of the market conquest. A plan should therefore be put in place to ensure that an organization puts the weaknesses in controllable position so that they do not hinder them in achieving their goals. There has also been improvement in the performance where a place of excellence has been achieved (Cartin,1999). The approach has been integrated in nature and some of the results achieved include the following; the capabilities of the organization have been improved as well as the effectiveness in the organization. The delivery of the services has also improved, which has in turn resulted to success in the market place. Though there are so many strengths that are associated in this award there has been also an experience of weaknesses in it. It requires the organization to have significant time and resources to achieve such an award. As it has always been said, any success has to be achieved with an amount of sacrifice the organization sacrifice a lot of time in trying to do research that may get them results of what they need to improve on. In addition, a good number of resources have to be included for such success to be achieved. The resources range from qualified personnel and monetary resource. Some small companies may lack some of this resources and that is why some of them are finding nit hard to compete against big and established organization. A lot of commitment is also needed to run such a system needed to reach the greatest level of success that Baldrige talks of (Wilson,2005).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Strengths and weaknesses of the Baldrige Award specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The problem may be exaggerated further by senior leaders in the organization who may have misgiving in the long-term commitment of system thinking. The fact that it may sometimes take a long time to achieve Baldrige standard means that there is dangers that seniors in the organization may not comprehend it. Finally, the complexity of the criterion is also a weakness in it. S ome organization may find it hard to work with such complex measures to achieve the defined success. Conclusion A Baldrige criterion is one of the best methods a business can incorporate to achieve success in its operation. The fact that it is inclined to ensuring satisfaction among the customers ensures retaining of the customers as well as having a broader base of customers. The good thing with it is it does not aim at achieving perfection but rather a high level of quality at whatever size the organization has since even the small organization can get to enjoy it. Establishment of Baldrige award is one of the best thoughts to have been put in someone’s mind. The fact that each company seeks recognition means that each and every company will act in a way to achieve it, and what better way to promote the economy of a country than this? References List Cartin, T. J. (1999). Principles and practices of organizational performance excellence. Wisconsin: ASQ Quality Press. Davis, M., Aquilano, N. J., Chase, R. B. (1999). Fundamentals of operations management. Boston: Irwin, McGraw-Hill. Evans, J. (2008). Managing for Quality and Performance Excellence. Ohio: Cengage Learning. Leonard, D. ( 2007). The executive guide to understanding and implementing the Baldrige criteria: improve revenue and create organizational excellence. Wisconsin: ASQ Quality Press.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Wilson, J. P. (2005). Human resource development: learning training for individuals organizations. London: Kogan Page Publishers.

Goodpaster Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Goodpaster - Essay Example Since the statement has not categorized the stakeholders, it means that it will treat all participants who are involved in transaction equally. The mission statement also aims at ensuring that stakeholders achieve maximum satisfaction. This indicates that this statement is based on the utilitarian ethical critical thinking technique. The article argues that utilitarian principle is classified under normative ethics and it aims at providing maximum utility to all parties who are involved in an organization. Normative ethics is a field that aims at differentiating right from wrong (Goodpaster 5). Therefore, it means that if the disutility that stakeholders get from an organization surpasses the utilities, it means that the company acts unethically. The organization should, therefore, analyze the effects of its actions during the formulation of policies to ensure that they produce more benefits than costs when they are implemented. Goodpaster argues that companies should conduct the analysis when formulating policies that deal with both the internal and the external environment (3). Therefore, from the views of Goodpaster, the mission statement is ethically