This Government, as promised, has maintained the closest surveillance of the Soviet Military buildup on the island of Cuba. Within the past week, unmistakable evidence has established the fact that a series of offensive missile sites is now in preparation on that imprisoned island. The purpose of these bases can be none other than to provide a nuclear strike capability against the Western Hemisphere. __ President John E. Kennedy. October 22,1962 2/21/25 Which action did President Kennedy take following this statement? a. urging Allied forces to remove Soviet weapons from Cuba b. ordering a naval quarantine of Cuba c. breaking off diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union d. asking the United Nations to stop grain shipments to the Soviet Union

## Step 1<br />The problem presents a statement made by President John E. Kennedy on October 22, 1962. The statement is about the Soviet Union's military buildup on the island of Cuba, which Kennedy refers to as an "imprisoned island". The purpose of these bases, according to Kennedy, is to provide a nuclear strike capability against the Western Hemisphere.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />The question asks us to identify the action that Kennedy took following this statement. The options provided are:<br />a. urging Allied forces to remove Soviet weapons from Cuba<br />b. ordering a naval quarantine of Cuba<br />c. breaking off diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union<br />d. asking the United Nations to stop grain shipments to the Soviet Union<br /><br />## Step 3<br />By examining the options, we can see that option b, "ordering a naval quarantine of Cuba", aligns with the context of the statement. Kennedy's statement is about the Soviet Union's military buildup on Cuba, which is a direct threat to the Western Hemisphere. Therefore, it makes sense that Kennedy would respond by ordering a naval quarantine of Cuba to prevent further escalation of the situation.