Jfk Inaugural Address Analysis

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John F. Kennedy was the newly elected president of the United States during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was the youngest president ever voted into office in American History, making him seem vulnerable to opposing political leaders such as Soviet Union's Premier, Nikita Khrushchev. Kennedy had only been in office for a short time before signing the authorization of the Bay of Pigs Invasion in 1961. Kennedy was a part of a capitalist country, and he, like most capitalists, feared the effects of communism. Kennedy addressed in his speech on the matter that “ it is clear that the forces of communism are not to be underestimated, in Cuba or anywhere else in the world.” Kennedy largely disagreed with communism, and believed that the effects could …show more content…

He believed that there had to be a way to settle the crisis without going to war, however he was willing to go to war if there were no other options resulting in the removal of the missiles. He hoped that blockading Cuba would result in a halt of the construction of missiles, to justify this action he claimed it was “in the defense of our own security and of the entire Western Hemisphere”. He wanted the citizens of the United States to think that he was following the correct procedures, and showing strong leadership, after the embarrassment of the Bay of Pigs …show more content…

In his letter to Khrushchev, he pleaded that the Soviet Union will act accordingly and try to fix the situation. He stated “I repeat my regret that these events should cause a deterioration in our relations. I hope that your Government will take the necessary action to permit a restoration of the earlier situation.” Kennedy understood that the events that occurred were deteriorating their relationship with the Soviet Union, and hoped that the issue of the missiles would be resolved so that a war would not be

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