John F. Kennedy said, "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." This quote is very true and that is why John F. Kennedy had plans for the future and what he wanted to help shape America into. John F. Kennedy had plans for America and was one of the most popular presidents to live, but was sadly assassinated before ever seeing his plan unfold. John F. Kennedy was one of America’s greatest presidents because he helped our nation prosper with the space program, the Peace Corps, and he helped the nation through the Cuban Missile Crisis. What was John F. Kennedy’s early life like? John F. Kennedy was of Irish descent, grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts, and was born on the …show more content…
After this Kennedy had become the Democratic nominee for presidency and had Lyndon B. Johnson as his vice president. The election was a close one between vice president Richard M. Nixon and John Kennedy ,but Kennedy was the one who won the people’s vote to be the 35th president of the United States. His inauguration was on January 20, 1961 and there he said, “ My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Kennedy did a lot for his country for example on May 15, 1961 President John F. Kennedy pledged to support the space program and had also convinced Congress, with the encouragement of Lyndon B. Johnson, to find additional funds for the nation’s space program in hopes of surpassing the Soviets. They were committed to having an aggressive space program because the Soviets had beat the United States in the space race by launching the an artificial satellite into space, in 1957. Sadly Kennedy did not live to see his dream of when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon in July …show more content…
Kennedy was very active in the Cold War. For example while he was president he increased America’s production of nuclear weapons. For two week during October 1962, the world was on edge of atomic annihilation this was known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Soviets were sneaking nuclear weapons into Cuba. Kennedy told them the missiles would not be tolerated ,but the Russian commander Khrushchev refused. So Kennedy had decided to have a confrontation at sea and Russian submarines were approaching the ships so the American ships fired small rounds at the submarines as a warning. What the Americans didn't know was that the submarines were armed with nuclear missiles. The Russian captain was about to have the nuclear torpedo armed, but decided not to because he needed direct orders from Moscow to fire the
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.
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
Kennedy had realized that the only way to overtake the Soviets after falling so far behind, would be by putting the first man on the moon. The US morale had taken a serious blow following Sputnik and the first cosmonaut in space, Yuri Gagarin. On September 12th, 1962, Kennedy delivered his famous speech, saying “We choose to go to the moon.” Kennedy knew that it was essential to gather support behind a manned mission to the moon from the American public. Although many argued that it would be easier, and more efficient to send an unmanned mission to the moon, it was more about the morale boost and the message a man on the moon would send to the
What is a legacy? Is it strictly a visible, touchable object? A legacy is not just an object that people can see; it can be a dream or an idea. Although his life came to a tragic end, John F. Kennedy was one of the many presidents that served his term of presidency with compassion and dedication, and also, he left behind an unforgettable legacy to live on for the generations to come. His legacy was both an idea and dream that still affects many Americans today, as he led people to believe that he would make peace between countries. “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” (Kennedy). When he won the election for president in 1961, he would set goals for the United States that would amount to extraordinary events. Also, he would overcome one the most dangerous obstacles that any president has ever encountered.
JFK had lots of accomplishments during his short term as president.... ... middle of paper ... ... But sadly JFK was not alive to witness that his imagination & promise had been fulfilled. President Kennedy’s very famous quote “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” was definitely fulfilled by himself actually.
John emphasized if a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. He felt Americans needed to use their freedoms to do great things, not just be thankful they have them. Pres. Kennedy’s heart longed for the nation of America to grab hold of the reigns of their freedom and take it to the extreme. The extreme would be to feed the hungry, help those in poverty fight their way out of it, and make peace in the world more often than war.
John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address speech was given during the middle of the Cold War. The Cold War left the civilians in fear for a nuclear war with the USSR. All the people wanted was a president to provide them security. The previous president, Dwight D. Eisenhower, influenced their fear by approving an assault
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.
The election of 1960 ensured John F. Kennedy of his position as arguably the most powerful man in the world: President of the United States (1960 Presidential General Election Results). His first term in office would not be an easy one due to conflicts which had been festering between the United States and their Southern neighbor, Cuba. Kennedy’s first term would be immediately challenged by Cuban-Soviet Russia relations. The year 1962 was a difficult one in United States history as Kennedy faced various obstacles in foreign relations with Cuba and Russia. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, Kennedy had various options to pick from to bring an end to the disagreement, but none came with the assurance that retaliation from his opponents would not be in the form of
In his Inaugural Address he said, that he would bear any burden, pay any price, and the hardship, to oppose any foe and success of liberty(Kennedy.5). This meant that he was to do as much as he possibly could to ensure and spread freedom around the world. Because European countries wanted a communist country which was to have all of your property owned not by you but everyone. Since there was no freedom or constitution Kennedy’s wasn’t going to approve of this idea. President Kennedy also stated, “...those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.” (Kennedy.8). He stated something very powerful with how the Nuclear attacks were occurring then that he said, that people who want power and use force will be destroyed before he can control
JFK made it sound that anything was possible, even going to the moon. Although Russia was the first country to send a satellite into space, Kennedy intended to advance the space program to make a statement and show that the US’ industrial superiority and challenge the U.S. into becoming an even stronger nation by setting allowances for the specific programs for instance before 1970 First Man on the moon.. The Kennedy Administration was known for it's foreign policy much more so than it's domestic policies. It had a sympathy for the Civil Rights movement and did back up integration every way possible but was unable to achieve any substantive reform.
We were already in a cold war, not knowing wither if these missiles were going to go off it made people panic. Yet, Kennedy took it upon himself to, to assured us that we needed to take precautionary measure. Kennedy could have said, don’t worry, or nothing at all. Instead, he let us in and let us knows what was up because this crisis involved us, the nation, that involves everybody. After a long wait, the crisis ended peacefully with a deal was made to make sure that Soviets agreed to get rid of their missile if the US, go rid of their own missiles in turkey (it is only fair). This is the agreement that ended the Cuban missile crisis and made our Nation, including the Soviets, and the Cubans relaxed. After this scare, a bunch of treaties was made and signed to reduce nuclear power. Leading us to create a great relation with China, after being a great ally to the Soviets
John F. Kennedy made a historic speech at Rice stadium just shortly before America put our first man on the moon. He saw how much this would bring our country together and how patriotic America became and he wanted that to continue. He saw how quickly the technology of the world was progressing and he knew America needed to be first in the race for space. He made a passionate speech expressing these feelings and he conveyed his message very well. Kennedy knew how important and beneficial these leaps of technology would be to the world, to the nation, and to people everywhere; he let nothing hold him back from expressing this to the people.