冷戰｜古巴導彈危機

20世紀末的美蘇關係

細閱資料G及H。

資料G

以下取材自一幅1962年刊登的漫畫，漫畫左邊和右邊的人物分別為和蘇聯領導人赫魯曉夫和美國總統甘逎迪。漫畫的標題是：「泥足深陷」。

資料H

下文取材自一篇有關古巴導彈危機的學術論文。

這場危機既是冷戰的高潮，又是美蘇關係的轉捩點和分水嶺。通過這次直接的核對抗，甘迺迪和赫魯曉夫都強烈地意識到了美蘇之間發生戰爭、甚至核戰爭的危險，而這種戰爭對兩國乃至整個世界而言都將是一場災難，在核戰爭中不可能有勝利者。他們深刻認識到，已經到了緩和緊張關係的時候了。危機結束後，甘迺迪和赫魯曉夫繼續做出努力，緩和兩國間的緊張關係，努力減少發生核衝突的可能性，從而使美蘇關係進入一個相對緩和的時期。雖然東西方對抗這一基本格局並沒有發生改變，但美蘇兩國都採取了一系列措施來管理她們之間的關係，防止類似危機再度出現。從這一意義上說，古巴導彈危機的結束標誌著自 1947年以來激烈冷戰時期的結束，以及美蘇有限緩和時期的到來。

同樣重要的是，古巴導彈危機使甘迺迪、赫魯曉夫都對自己的對手有了進一步的認識和瞭解。赫魯曉夫認為，甘迺迪是頭腦清醒的，是決心避免戰爭的；他既不驚慌失措，也不輕舉妄動。甘迺迪在危機中的表現贏得了赫魯曉夫的尊重。1962年12月初，赫魯曉夫在致甘迺迪的信中希望甘迺迪能夠連任，這樣他們就能為「和平共處」創造更好的條件。在甘迺迪看來，赫魯曉夫也是一位理智的、有思想的領導人，能夠正確地估計本國的利益和全人類的利益。

(a) 你認為資料G漫畫的主要信息是什麼？試參考資料G，解釋你的答案。

(3分)

(b) 資料H的作者對古巴導彈危機後的冷戰局勢是否感到悲觀？參考資料H第一段，援引兩項相關線索，解釋你的答案。

(4分)

(c) 「在1955-1975年間，美蘇關係的特徵為劍拔弩張，互相對抗。」你在什麼程度上同意此說？試參考資料G及H，並就你所知，解釋你的答案。

(8分)

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US-Soviet relations in the late 20th century

Study Sources G and H

Source G

The following is adapted from a cartoon published in 1962, with people on the left and right representing Soviet leader Khrushchev and US president Kennedy. The title of the cartoon is ‘Bury You in Quicksand’.

Source H

The following is adapted from an academic essay about the Cuban Missile Crisis.

This crisis was both the climax of the Cold War and a turning point and watershed in US-Soviet relations. Through this direct nuclear confrontation, both Kennedy and Khrushchev became acutely aware of the dangers of war, even nuclear war, between the US and the Soviet Union. They recognized that such a conflict would be a disaster for both countries and the entire world, as there could be no winners in a nuclear war. They understood that it was time to ease tensions. After the crisis, Kennedy and Khrushchev continued their efforts to ease the tensions between two countries and to lessen the likelihood of nuclear conflict, leading US-Soviet relations into a relatively more détente period. Although the fundamental East-West confrontation did not change, both nations implemented a series of measures to manage their relationship and prevent similar crises from arising. In this sense, the end of the Cuban Missile Crisis marked the end of the intense Cold War period since 1947 and the onset of a limited détente between the US and the Soviet Union.

Equally important, the Cuban Missile Crisis deepened Kennedy's and Khrushchev's understanding of each other as competitors. Khrushchev viewed Kennedy as a clear-headed leader determined to avoid war; he was neither panicked nor rash. Kennedy's handling of the crisis earned Khrushchev's respect. In early December 1962, Khrushchev expressed in a letter to Kennedy his hope that he could maintain his positions, creating better conditions for ‘peaceful coexistence’. From Kennedy's perspective, Khrushchev was also a rational and thoughtful leader capable of accurately assessing his own country's interests and those of humanity as a whole.

(a) What, in your opinion, was the main message of the cartoon in Source G? Explain your answer with reference to Source G.

(3 marks)

(b) Is the author of Source H pessimistic towards the Cold War situation after the Cuban Missile Crisis? Cite two relevant clues from paragraph 1 of Source H to explain your answer. 

(4 marks)

(c) ‘The characteristic of US-Soviet relations was tense and confronting with each other from 1955 to 1975.’ To what extent do you agree with the statement? Explain your answer with reference to Source G and H, and using your own knowledge.

(8 marks)

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Answer