President Kennedy as a Famous and Controversial Figure in History

President Kennedy as a Famous and Controversial Figure in History

A) Although he was one of the most famous American Presidents in

history, Kennedy was also one of the most controversial.

He was famous for being the youngest American President ever to be

elected into office, beginning his term at the age of only 44. His

youth and character gave him the image of vigour and charisma which

helped him to win the election against Nixon. However, his youth also

made him controversial and many Americans worried about his lack of

experience; especially when it came to leading America during the Cold

War with the Soviet Union. Many felt that he wasn't wily enough to

play the Soviets at their own game.

He was also famous for being the first Roman Catholic President ever

elected. But this also made him controversial as many Protestants (who

held the majority in America) questioned whether he would draw his

authority from Rome or from Capitol Hill in Washington. Although

Kennedy said that he felt religion and politics should be kept

separate many American Protestants especially in the Deep South or the

"Bible Belt" of America were suspicious that he would only look out

for Catholics. This gave Kennedy even more trouble trying to pass some

of his bills in Congress, especially those that concerned Catholics or

Catholic Schools.

He and his family were famous for the rumour of the "Kennedy Curse".

This grew up around the mysterious circumstances of many of his family

members' deaths including Kennedy's own assassination.

Although Kennedy was famous for his friendship with the American

singer Frank Sinatra; Sinatra' mafia links linked in...

... middle of paper ...

...g cigar. This open, state

sponsored assassination made Kennedy very controversial as the

President was meant to be the face of the Free World and a man that

you could trust.

But what Kennedy arguably became most famous for was ironically out of

his control - his assassination in Dallason the 22nd of November 1963

while he was riding in an open top limousine on a tour of Texas. His

would-be assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald (a former US marine) who had

visited the Soviet Union was later shot while in custody by Jack Ruby

- a Dallas Nightclub owner. JFK's assassination was one of the most

controversial events in history and there are hundreds of conspiracy

theories as to who shot him, including that it was the work of

disgruntled Cuban exiles or that he was assassinated by white racists

who opposed his civil rights bill.