What happened

After further discussions, Kennedy selected a quarantine as the initial response. Work began on naval deployments and a public address. The decision created room for diplomacy while retaining the prospect of stronger action if the missiles remained.

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Why the quarantine was a first step

Kennedy returned from Chicago and chose the quarantine approach after further debate. McNamara favoured starting with limited force and negotiations; Taylor argued that delay would make destroying the missile force harder. Stevenson opposed a surprise attack and urged a negotiated settlement.

The decision did not close the military alternatives. Kennedy also authorised preparations that would make an air strike or invasion possible. Quarantine bought time and blocked reinforcement, but it could not itself dismantle weapons already in Cuba. That unresolved weakness explains why the following days remained so dangerous.

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The decision facing Washington

Three military courses of action

These could become stages of escalation. Choosing quarantine first did not rule out an air strike or invasion later.

Naval quarantine

Intended effect
Stop further offensive weapons arriving and create pressure for withdrawal.
Limit and risk
Weapons already ashore remained. Site construction could continue while talks took place.
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Air strike

Intended effect
Destroy the missile force before it became more capable or harder to find.
Limit and risk
No guarantee of destroying every missile. Soviet casualties and surviving weapons could trigger a wider war.
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Invasion

Intended effect
Take control on the ground after preparatory air operations.
Limit and risk
Required mobilisation and landings. Soviet tactical nuclear weapons made the danger greater than Washington understood.
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An explanatory comparison based on the meeting records. It includes later knowledge of tactical nuclear weapons; it is not a reproduction of an October briefing.

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People and decisions