John F. Kennedy

A President that became a cultural icon

Kennedy’s background

• JFK’s father, Joseph, was a prominent business man and politician– Good evidence that he made a fortune bootlegging

• JFK went to Harvard, then joined the Navy just before Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.

• The Torpedo boat Kennedy commanded, the PT-109, was sunk in 1943.– Kennedy received the Navy and Marine Corp Medal

for dragging towing one of his crew members to safety.

A Short Political Career

• Kennedy made a successful bid for the House in 1946, then moved to the Senate in 1952.

• In 1956 he came in second in the voting for Adlai Stevenson’s VP

• In 1960 he beat out Lyndon Johnson for the Dem. Nomination, then asked Johnson to be his VP to secure southern votes.

• Kennedy was on the 2nd Catholic to run for president, and it was a major campaign issue. Kennedy ultimately said, – “I am not the Catholic candidate for President. I am the

Democratic Party's candidate for President who also happens to be a Catholic. I do not speak for my Church on public matters — and the Church does not speak for me."

1960 Election

• Kennedy v VP Richard Nixon• Nixon had experience and name recognition• 1960 was the year of the first televised presidential

debate• One of the closest outcomes in history (Kennedy won by

just over 100,000 votes) http://www.270towin.com/– Did the television win it for Kennedy? – You Decide– http://www.history.com/videos/the-first-jfk-nixon-debate#the-first-

jfk-nixon-debate

An inspiring inauguration and a “New Frontier” in domestic issues

• Kennedy Inauguration• Kennedy’s domestic agenda struggled to get

votes from conservative Democrats in the South. Programs included…– Higher minimum wage– Increased Social Security– Public housing– Medical insurance for the elderly (defeated)– The creation of the Peace Corps– Presidential Commission on the Status of Women

(results published 1963)

The Space Race

• In 1961, Kennedy expanded the space program and announced the goal of a moon landing by the end of the decade.– Apollo mission accomplished 1969- provided

a symbolic victory over the Soviets

• "We choose to go to the moon.."

Kennedy and Cold War Tensions

• Increased defense budget by nearly 1/3 between 1960-1962

• Expansion of covert operations and use of Special Forces (Green Berets)– Continuation of E. strategy of small scale military

involvement• Vietnam- Kennedy escalated the involvement

begun by E., increasing aid and # of military advisors/personnel– Overthrow and death of Ngo Dinh Diem (S. Vt)

• Under JFK, U.S. forces in Vietnam went from 800 to 16,000 (Still seen as a support role)

Cold War in Latin America• Communist movements

gaining popularity• JFK launches Alliance

for Progress– $100 billion (20 from

U.S.) over 10 yrs. For L.A. economy

– Stable economies proof against Communism

• Most of the benefits went to elite

Cuba

• Rise of Fidel’s power and popularity

• Supported by the Soviet Union

• Only 90 miles from our border!

Bay of Pigs

• CIA trained Cuban exiles inherited from E.

• Plan based on premise that U.S. would be greeted as liberators!– People would rise up and overthrow Castro

• Castro’s army quickly crushed the 1,400 exiles and CIA operatives that landed on the island

• Embarrassment for Kennedy

The Cuban Missile Crisis

• October 1962, Peak of the Cold War• Khrushchev sends nuclear missiles to be stationed in

Cuba– Spotted by U.S. spy planes

• What should Kennedy do?– Bomb the island?– Invasion? (Bay of Pigs)

• JFK went on TV, announced blockade• Kennedy addresses the nation• K. backs down Oct. 26,27, in exchange for

– U.S. not invading Cuba– Removal of U.S. missiles from Turkey

Kennedy in Berlin

• Construction of the Berlin Wall began 1961

• June 26, 1963 JFK gave a speech in West Berlin

• I am a Berliner

• Did Kennedy correctly characterize Communism?

The final days

• Historians speculate on what Kennedy would have done with a 2nd term

• Evidence he might have thawed the Cold War– Statements made that indicate he would pull troops

out of Vietnam (tape recording of Johnson discussing)– “Hot Line” between Moscow and Washington– Limited Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty– Possible joint U.S.-Soviet space venture

Assassination

• Nov. 22, 1963 in Dallas• Shot by Lee Harvey Oswald while riding in

a parade• Oswald killed the next day by Jack Ruby• Johnson appointed Warren Commission to

investigate- said Oswald acted alone• Many conspiracy theories exist, but no

solid evidence• The nation was shocked

Legacy

• JFK was only president for 3 years, and most of the social reforms of the 1960s would not take place until Johnson…yet Kennedy is remembered as one of America’s most popular presidents. Why?– Did he escalate or thaw the cold war?– Record on Domestic issues?– Public persona? Use of the Television?– How was Kennedy different than previous presidents?