John F Kennedy Assassination

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The shots that rang out across Dealey Plaza on November 22, 1963 were ones that would change America forever. The victim was one of the most controversial presidents in American history- John F. Kennedy. Born on May 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts, Kennedy was known by many as the youngest man ever elected president of the United States. His family, unsurprisingly, had had a long and distinguished history in politics. Kennedy’s maternal grandfather, John “Honey Fitz” Fitzgerald, had been Boston’s Democratic mayor. His own father, Joseph P. Kennedy, served as ambassador to Great Britain under Franklin Roosevelt’s administration. With these achievements to represent his family, Kennedy grew up in an atmosphere of wealth and privilege. He served in the Pacific theater as a navy lieutenant during WWII, but decided to begin his political career soon after. He ran for the House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1946, and was reelected in 1948 and 1950 for the position. In 1960, he earned himself the title of President of the United States, defeating his opponent Richard Nixon by only a small margin of two-tenths of a percent of the popular vote. However, the years that were to follow during his presidency were ones that would have a lasting impact on America. His assassination, in particular, was a traumatizing event for many people. The social and political stress that the nation was experiencing during this time has proven to be linked with his death. From the Bay of Pigs Invasion to the Civil Rights movement, these controversies are a reflection of the President’s passing. As a result, the assassination of John F. Kennedy shows the increasing social and political tension of America during the 1960s. During the first two years of... ... middle of paper ... ...ducational: Primary Sources: Assassination of JFK,” it is clear that Americans were utterly horrified by the assassination. The situation caused much chaos across the nation, further showing the changing social status of the country. With all things considered, it becomes clear that the assassination of John F. Kennedy portrays the political and social tension of America during the 1960s. Whether it was the struggle to stop the spread of Communism or to achieve racial equality, all these events have proven to be associated with the event that took place on November 22, 1963. It was during this decade that society and politics began to change, with many Americans unsatisfied with the status of the country. It was perhaps this dissatisfaction that led to the assassination of the 35th President of the United States, a truly unforgettable moment in American history.

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