St. Paul Chapter December Meeting

The Cuban Missile Crisis: Compromise or Hegemony? Historian and JFK adviser Arthur Schlesinger Jr. called the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 “the most dangerous moment in world history.” For the most part this talk will not replay the day to day events that transpired over the 13 days of crisis. Rather, we will examine the policy presumptions and actions that led to the conflict in the first place and the specific way it was resolved. For example, both the Soviet Union and Cuba referred to the conflict as the “Caribbean Crisis,” intimating that the missiles were not the source of the clash that nearly led to nuclear war. In recent years, due to the Freedom of Information Act and Presidential Disclosure’s Act, new facts have been revealed that bring these events into closer focus. Given the various false assumptions and oversights, this topic is a gold mine for critical thinkers.

Dick Taylor graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1970 with a B.A. degree in political science. He received a M.A.T. degree from St. Thomas College in St. Paul in 1973. Throughout his career as a teacher and more so after his retirement he has written and spoken extensively on topics concerning politics, economics, and history. His most recent talk for CTC discussed the origins of the Vietnam War.

Breakfast Buffet $12.00 Coffee only $3.00. We need to plan for the room setup and meal, so please RSVP by Friday morning, December 4.