How much influence do personal characteristics have on international political events? The Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1961 brought the world to the brink of World War III. Examine the sites below and then respond to the questions.

Visit the following Web sites for some insight into the world of finance:

http://www.choices.edu/fogofwar/fogofwar_resources_cmc.cfm
http://themoderntribune.com/john_f__kennedy_jfk_speeches_pax_americana_war_peace_cuban_missile_crisis.htm
http://www.worldhistory.com/wiki/C/Cuban-Missile-Crisis.htm/www.worldhistory.com/wiki/C/Cuban-Missile-Crisis.htm
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1962-cuba-un1.html
http://www.personalityinhistory.com

1.			Choose one actor in the Cuban missile crisis and describe the most striking characteristics of that leader.
2.			Did the personal characteristics and personality traits of that leader contribute to the escalation of the crisis? Why or why not?
3.			Did the personal characteristics and personality traits of that leader contribute to the abatement of the crisis? Why or why not?
4.			In your opinion, how important are individual leaders when it comes to foreign policy? Use a “real-world” example to support your answer.