Comment on the following extract: Extract from the Kennedy Tapes, Off-The-record Meeting on Cuba, October 16, 1962, 6:30 P.M. - 7:55 P.M.
Comment on the following extract: Extract from the Kennedy Tapes, ‘Off-The-record Meeting on Cuba, October 16, 1962, 6:30 P.M. - 7:55 P.M.’
October 1962 was one of the most dangerous times for the world in recent history. The text being examined in the essay is that of an extract from the Kennedy Tape transcripts. These were a set of secret tape recordings that President J.F Kennedy had made during his time in the white house. The only people aware of these recordings at the time were J.F Kennedy himself, his private secretary, the two guards who manned the machine and perhaps his brother, Robert Kennedy. The conversation that was recorded in this instance was obviously meant as a private meeting between an official groups of important officials including military leaders, experts on Latin America, representatives of the CIA, cabinet ministers and personal friends whose opinions were valued. Apart from JFK, they were unaware that this conversation was being taped and therefore this document itself was not meant for public hearing. This gives to historians a rare insight to the personal conversations and decision making processes that occurred within the walls of the white house. It shows the wariness of the President himself to make a decision concerning the Cuban missile crisis, the changing responses and attitudes to attacking Cuba and the importance of the perception from the American people.