As the 35th president of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy (also known as JFK) addressed numerous foreign crises, such as Cuba and Berlin. JFK was instrumental in signing many treaties, including the Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (1963) and the Alliance for Progress (1961). Kennedy also inspired many Americans to serve their country through his speeches and political leadership. In addition to these achievements, John F. Kennedy was also a civil rights activist and proposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Sadly, Kennedy did not live long enough to pass the act -which was then passed under Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency- for he was assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. Many remember Kennedy as one of the youngest presidents, …show more content…
Kennedy, the 35th and youngest elected president, is an iconic figure in American history. One of the many things he is remembered for is his standing up in the Cuban missile crisis. The Cuban missile crisis occurred in October of 1962 and lasted three days (history.com). It was a military face off between the Soviet Union and the United States of America, that was influenced by the employment of Soviet missiles only 90 miles off the coast of Florida, in Cuba (history.com) (wikipedia.org). During the crisis, president Kennedy took a stand and made it clear that he was willing to use military force if necessary, to prevent the threat of national security (history.com). After hearing the news, many feared that a nuclear war could erupt. Despite the news, fiasco was averted when the United States and the Soviet Union agreed to have the missiles in Cuba removed, in exchange that the U.S promise not to invade Cuba. Kennedy also secretly agreed to remove U.S missiles from Turkey …show more content…
Kennedy is also known for his inspiration of not only the U.S.A, but the world. One especially memorable quote from Kennedy was “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” which inspired many to do more for America. Likewise, Kennedy also inspired many by establishing the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961, in order to “promote world peace and friendship” (history.com). Kennedy inspired Americans with his civil rights activism. He proposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (jfklibrary.com). Unfortunately, during a motorcade through Dallas, Texas, he was shot by former U.S marine (wikipedia.org) Lee Harvey Oswald on November 22, 1963 (jfklibrary.comwikipedia.org). The incident shocked many Americans, and even more shocking was that Kennedy’s killer was shot by nightclub owner Jack Ruby.
On October 22, 1962, President John F. Kennedy reached out to America and the Cubans with his Cuban Missile Crisis Address to the Nation. During this time, the Cold War had occupied several countries of world. This war resulted from tensions, military and political, between Russia and its allies and America, its allies, and the Western Hemisphere. When President Kennedy gave his speech, Russia had occupied Cuba and began building military bases that contained nuclear warheads and other deadly missiles. People of America saw this as a threat to the freedom of the U.S. and the Western Hemisphere. In a time of great tension and fear, President Kennedy delivered his spectacular and reassuring speech that appealed to the citizens of American in several ways.
Kennedy’s Mystique resembling Camelot, but also his domestic policy. King Arthur felt he needed to have England unite and recuperate after years of fighting within the country. For JFK, he felt obligated as well. For instance, Kennedy realized there was a high amount of poverty in America. He tackled it by increasing minimum wage so people could get part-time jobs that could get them by easier without being poor. King Arthur felt that by helping the middle class, he would gain the trust of his people, and Kennedy did the same. Alternatively, JFK helped out with Civil Rights. He pulled strings to get Martin Luther King Jr out of jail. This showed tremendous support for African Americans. Not only did he show support for African Americans, he also was involved in the space race competition with Russia. He felt that by beating Russia in the space race, he would make America superior. King Arthur, also believed that England had the potential to be the greatest country in the world. Kennedy was able to put Alan Shepherd in sub-orbital flight. In the end, JFK was able to have American feel proud of their homeland, just alike King
President Kennedy was a very poor president. But however president Kennedy was a very brilliant president. When he was sworn into office, he said these tremendous words “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Mr. Kennedy established the Peace Corps, which was huge in America. He also prevented nuclear war. He did many things to make America better. The assassination of JFK was a very depressing day for many people in America.
The account is told from Robert F. Kennedy's point of view. Kennedy was a key player in the decisions made during the thirteen days of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Kennedy believed that the United States should try and resolve The Cuban Missile Crisis peacefully and that the United States needed to try and avoid resolving to violent measures. Kennedy took over for his brother, the President on many occasions. He led important meetings and tried to negotiate an understanding with the other cabinet members who were involved. At first he believed that a blockade around Cuba would be the right maneuver and his proposal was supported by the majority of the other members. Soon he realized though that the Russians were not planning on negotiating or dealing with this matter in any peaceful manner. Though apposed to it Kennedy moved for an air strike. He was very uncomfortable with the idea and he showed this with his remark to the president of "I now know how Tojo felt when he was planning Pearl Harbor.
Kennedy was elected president in the year of 1961. Which was during the time that the Cold War was in full swing. The Cold War being the tension filled era between the superpowers in the east and the superpowers in the west. Contrary to the other two presidents, JFK was not speaking to the American public at the time of the war 's conclusion but right near the middle of the 40 plus year issue. Regardless he was assuring the public. He stated, “...that the torch has been passed to a new generation of American-”. That optimism cannot be matched. Even at the darkest of times could he stand up there, the president of the United States, and tell the young people of America that their time is now. Not only that but he attempts to inspire Americans when he says “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”, which was definitely a knock at the Russians. JFK overall had this persona about him. This was the speech where muttered that historic and uplifting quote, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.” His message of peace and coexisting really stand the test of
May, Ernest R. “John F Kennedy and the Cuban MIssile Crisis.” BBC News. BBC., 18 Nov. 2013.
John F Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States Of America. He's considered one the best Presidents ever. He did many things in his presidency before was assassinated in November 1963. He proposed the Civil Rights Act, and he commanded the U.S like no one has ever seen before. John F Kennedy's death changed America forever. It caused conspiracies, sadness, and many other things. Even today his legacy of a U.S president is one of the best, even though he couldn't have it for so long. He impacted American Society in a huge way.
A leader I have always admired and aspired to be like is John Franklin Kennedy. JFK is one of the most well known influential leaders in this world today. He was born on May 29, 1917 and lived life as a politician. JFK is most known for his accomplishments during his serving as 35th president of the United States, however, his term and life of leadership was cut short when he was assassinated on November 22, 1963. Many Americans consider JFK to be the greatest U.S. president of all time for a number of reasons. It was because of his hard work, dedication, charisma, respect, and understanding that made him such a great and influential icon. Through his military service, congressional career, and presidential career, JFK was able to motivate and influence people through a period of drastic change and to an extent hardship. His accomplishments and leadership traits will be forever considered and modeled for as long as humanity exist. In this paper I will discuss some of his most outstanding accomplishments I find to give his leadership career and title the most justice and praise.
The first point that made John F. Kennedy responsible for handling the Cuban Missile Crisis, well, was his way of managing the public. In every crisis, a leader must always keep in mind of the reactions of the people because if it is ill dealt with, disastrous and chaotic consequences could ensue. Thus, even though nuclear warfare was prevented; credit should also be given to how the public of the United States did not end up in turmoil. To access how the public did not end up in chaos, one has to look into the genesis of when the majority of the American citizens received the news of the Cuban Missile Crisis in the first place. This leaves with only one source, which was the public address from President John F. Kennedy on October 22, 1962.1
John F. Kennedy’s speech was revered then and it is revered now. He talks on peace and freedom will never be forgotten. JFK arrived when America was going through a rough patch and delivered a speech for the ages. His line “…My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country” still applies even today. Even though John F. Kennedy’s live was tragically cut short in 1963, his speech on freedom and peace will always be remembered and it carries on with JFK’s legacy.
On October 22nd, 1962, President John F. Kennedy delivered the famous "Cuban Missile Crisis Address to the Nation" speech in response to Nikita Khrushchev’s act of placing nuclear and flying missiles on the island directly south of the United States: Cuba. The purpose of the speech was to alert the nation of the situation and inform them on how it would be handled. This speech successfully won the attention and respect of the American and Russian people through the use of multiple rhetorical devices.
One day, in the early 60s the US Government discovered that the Soviet Union had a nuclear missile on the island of Cuba. So, the US government asked the Soviets to get rid of them. It was a bold thing to do because anything could have happened. Things between the US and the Soviets were already tense because of the cold war. For fourteen days, tension grew between the nations. Not knowing if this missile aimed and ready to fire at the US. Kennedy decided to give this speech the “Cuban Missile Crisis Address”. The address was used was to announce there will be a naval blockade on Cuba until the crisis is solved. This address was very effective because Kennedy did not say he was going to start
Even though they were still in the middle of the Cold War, Russia and America were able to somewhat civilly make an equal agreement. The Soviets and Fidel Castro would remain allies, but would remove all missiles placed there prior, under the circumstances that America would lift the blockade and never invade Cuba. War was avoided, and America was proven to be the superior superpower since Russia backed down and retreated. It took nearly two weeks to solve this possible worldwide, life threatening crisis. During these thirteen days, President Kennedy proved that he wasn’t a weak, cowardly leader, and that he would take a stand in order to protect his people – showing the world that America wouldn’t just sit and let something happen, they would take action.
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.
When John F. Kennedy was elected he inherited the task of taking over a nation that was in the middle of many tragic events. Kennedy’s ideas and dreams were summed up in this famous line from his election speech when he stated “And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” In 1963, when John F. Kennedy was only in his third year as president, the young, well liked president was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as president in the wake of the assassination (Davidson 672-675). That same year Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I have a dream” speech. In this speech he spoke out against racism and pushed towards the future, saying “I have a dream… that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Two years later in 1965 President Johnson made the decision that affected the United States and all U.S. citizens more than any other event during that time. He officially sent U.S. troops into Vietnam, beginning the massacre known as the Vietnam War. (Karnow)