Why would the handling of the Cuban Missle Crisis deserve praise?

The handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis deserves praise. Once President Kennedy had definite information that missile sites were being constructed in Cuba and missiles were being placed in Cuba, President Kennedy acted decisively. He made it clear we wouldn’t tolerate these missiles sites being built or missiles being placed in Cuba. He made it clear any attack in our hemisphere would be considered as a direct attack on the United States.

President Kennedy was quick to inform the public and to reassure the American people. He remained very calm in his nationally televised address to the American people. He explained as much as he could about what we were going to do about the crisis. While Americans were clearly nervous, they knew the President and his advisors were handling this situation.

President Kennedy remained firm in dealing with the Soviet Union. Despite his young age, President Kennedy made it clear we expected those missiles to be removed. He imposed a blockade around Cuba. This forced the Soviet Union to decide if they would take the aggressive action of breaking the blockade. President Kennedy looked at all avenues to reach a reasonable and a peaceful solution. This was ultimately obtained when both countries agreed to end the crisis. We promised not to invade Cuba and to remove the missiles we had in Turkey. The Soviet Union promised to take the missiles out of Cuba and to dismantle the missile sites. Both sides later agreed to ban the aboveground testing of nuclear weapons.

President Kennedy deserves credit for handling this crisis successfully.