National Geographic
National Geographic: The Impact of the Bay of Pigs Invasion on Fidel Castro
This lesson focuses on how the Bay of Pigs invasion influenced the attitude of Fidel Castro towards Kennedy and the United States. Includes role play, discussion, and research. Students then write a letter from Nikita Krushchev to Fidel...
University of Maryland
Voices of Democracy: John F. Kennedy, "Address: "The President and Press" 1961
Read President John F. Kennedy's speech, "The President and the Press," which he delivered before the American Newspaper Publishers Association (ANPA) on April 27, 1961. In this speech, he attempted to explain and justify the Bay of Pigs...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Contesting Futures: America in the 1960s: The Kennedy Promise
Discusses Kennedy's rise to power and the challenges he faced from within the government, his focus on foreign policy, the conflict with Cuba, American involvement in Vietnam, support for racial equality and civil rights, and Kennedy's...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Jfk Presidential Library and Museum: Jfk in History: The Bay of Pigs
The John F. Kennedy Library and museum provides a detailed description of how the Bay of Pigs Invasion came about, what happened and the aftermath of the event. The information is thorough and includes pictures of John F. Kennedy...
Other
Cuba Net: Marine Officer Wrote After Bay of Pigs
In the after-action report filed by Marine Col. Jack Hawkins following the Bay of Pigs, he writes that the only way to oust Castro would be with another attempt using overt intervention with U.S. military power.
Other
President John F. Kennedy
This site provides a biography of President John F. Kennedy, as well as the full text of several of his speeches and debates, and a description of the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Bay of Pigs Invasion
Provides detailed facts and information about how the CIA-backed Cuban exiles launched a botched invasion at the Bay of Pigs in Cuba.
Mount Holyoke College
International Relations: Cia Internal Memorandum About Strike on Cuba
The memo dated January 4, 1961, outlines the Bay of Pigs planned invasion, in great detail.
Mount Holyoke College
Memo. Within State Dept. Regarding the Bay of Pigs
This is a State Dept. memo regarding the Bay of Pigs Invasion, this one cites the proposed action and the considerable consequences.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: John F. Kennedy as President
The Kennedy administration faced triumphs and failures only to end in a horrific manner. Read about the election, presidency, and assassination of Kennedy in this summary. Also included are references for further reading, questions for...
History of American Wars
History of American Wars: Cold War History: Kennedy and Johnson 1961 1969
Describes the events of the Cold War during the presidencies of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: The Presidency and the Cold War: John F. Kennedy
The National Portait Gallery explores the actions of presidents during the Cold War. Here find President Kennedy's decisions during the Berlin Crisis, the building of the Berlin War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Watch a video of...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: John F. Kennedy
From the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, this biographical account of JFK includes his military service during WWII, the significant events of his political career and presidency including Cabinet and Supreme Court appointments, and...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Jfk Library: Jfk in History
Take a look at this extensive collection from John Kennedy's presidency. Among many events, discover history of Bay of Pigs, Civil Rights Movement, and the U.S. Physical Fitness Program.
Social Studies Help Center
Social Studies Help Center: The Kennedy Administration
This brief overview of the Kennedy Administration mentions the achievements of the administration, especially in domestic affairs, and the setbacks, especially in foreign policy.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Kennedy's Global Challenge
The Cold War was still being waged during John Kennedy's administration. Read about the challenges he faced in Europe, Latin America, and, most ominously, in Cuba.
Mount Holyoke College
Effect on u.s. u.s.s.r. Relations From Bay of Pigs
This is a telegram from the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State. It provides a typical example demonstrating the cold war relations and tensions.
Scholastic
Scholastic: New Yort Times Upfront: 1960: The First Mass Media Election
The Kennedy-Nixon presidential debates were the first televised debates. Read about the impact of the first debate and its effect on the election of 1960. Later presidential debates are also reviewed.
Mount Holyoke College
International Relations: Memorandum of Discussion: January 28, 1961
The text of a conversation between President Kennedy and his advisors concerning the "prospects for success" of an American plan to send American-trained Cuban exiles to invade Cuba.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Jfk Presidential Library and Museum: The Cold War
This site discusses the United States' struggle to halt the spread of Communism at the height of the Cold War.
The History Cat
The History Cat: The Cuban Missile Crisis
Describes the events that led up to the Cuban Missile Crisis and the steps John F. Kennedy took to avert a nuclear war.
ibiblio
Ibiblio: Cuban Missile Crisis
Ibiblio.org provides a brief background of the crisis and links to letters (originals and translations) exchanged between JFK and Khrushchev.
Mount Holyoke College
Soviets Say a u.s. Attack on Cuba Would Mean Nuclear War
A September 11, 1962 New York Times article relates the Soviet statement threatening nuclear war.