Author: Rachel Bow

This module has definitely been very useful in progressing with my dissertation as I started with a completely different topic idea in mind as to what I am now doing!

The biggest obstacle in putting my research project together has definitely been understanding research methodology itself and then finding a methodology that would be best suited to my topic. To overcome these obstacles the meetings with my dissertation supervisor and emailing Ian with any extra questions have been useful. Additionally, messaging other students on the course through group chats, etc has been very helpful. To summarise, I think not being afraid to ask for help when it’s needed is very important to make sure you are on the right track!

In terms of approaching my dissertation, I now understand how important it is to plan every step in advance, making sure you have enough primary and secondary sources as to not get overwhelmed, as this is a massive piece of work.

For me, the most useful part of the 9X6 module was the week on research methodology including the pre-recorded lecture and the seminar, and the meetings with my supervisor. Research methodology is not something I have done previously in university and with it being such an important part of a dissertation that week and those meetings were crucial!

For my dissertation, I am going to study diplomatic history where relations between the US, the USSR, and Cuba will be looked at. My question is how did Kennedy’s relationship with EX-COMM in relation to military options impact the resolution of the Cuban missile crisis.

Primary-

-Presidential Recordings Digital Edition. “Meeting on the Cuban Missile Crisis On 16 October 1962.” Accessed February 1, 2021.
https://prde.upress.virginia.edu/conversations/8020045

In this recorded meeting three courses of action are laid out and debated on how to handle the Cuban missile crisis, a contingency plan. The three big options are diplomacy with Castro and Khrushchev, a naval quarantine of Cuba, or an airstrike to destroy the missiles. My topic will be focussing on diplomatic history. Therefore, this source is extremely useful as the EX-COMM tapes give unprecedented insight into crisis management and big decision making during the Cuban missile crisis. Through this source I can gain an understanding of not just what is said but how it is said, giving an insight into Kennedy EX-COMM relations.

 

-John F. Kennedy Presential library and museum. “6-4-1: Cuba: Cuban Crisis, 1962: Kennedy-Khrushchev Letters, 1962: September-November.” Accessed February 2, 2021.
https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/RFKAG/216/RFKAG-216-006

The John F. Kennedy presidential library and museum offers an unparalleled amount of digitised primary sources useful to my topic. From Kennedy’s address to the nation on the missiles in Cuba to the letters sent between Khrushchev and Kennedy. For example, I could undertake a close reading of the letter from Kennedy asking Khrushchev to remove missiles from Cuba on 22/10/62. Through this, I can see how EX-COMM’s influence on Kennedy comes across in the letter.

 

Secondary-

-Stern, S. The Cuban Missile Crisis in American Memory: Myths Versus Reality. California: Stanford University Press, 2012.

Keeping with the theme of contingency, Stern examines the EX-COMM tapes and examines all the possible what-ifs. Stern puts emphasis on the importance of JFK as an individual in resolving the crisis and avoiding nuclear war. This text is useful to my topic as relations between Kennedy and his chiefs of staff are examined in detail, Stern argues the importance of the spoken word as it holds a unique power in gaining an understanding of these relations and how they impacted the handling of the crisis.

 

-Dallek, R. An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963. New York: Little, Brown and Co, 2003.

By using a biography I can get a good insight into the microhistory, to delve into the details of the big decisions Kennedy had to make and the thought processes behind them. A biography is a useful secondary source for my topic as it offers a unique look into the details of Kennedy’s presidency and the crisis, which is necessary for a thick description.

Hi everyone! I’m Rachel and I’m from a little town near Stirling called Denny. I’m currently in 3rd year studying a single honours history degree. In terms of what topic I would like to do my dissertation on, I’m thinking something gender issues related as I thoroughly enjoyed my gender module last semester. Distance learning has been super hard with trying to focus in the house but I’m starting to settle into it. Looking forward to seeing everyone in the seminar!