John F Kennedy was America’s second youngest elected president. He oversaw one of the vital essential moments within the Chilly Conflict (Cuban Missile Disaster) and sought to affirm America’s beliefs in fundamental human rights by calling for civil rights laws and an try to scale back poverty. Kennedy was assassinated in November 22, 1963 – a tragic demise that shocked America and the world.
Born in Could 1917, John F. Kennedy got here from an illustrious political household; his father Joseph Kennedy was a number one member of the Democrat Celebration, and Joseph inspired John F. Kennedy in his political ambitions after the warfare.
John graduated from Harvard after finishing a thesis on “Appeasement in Munich” His thesis was later transformed right into a profitable e book – Why England Slept.c
Earlier than America joined the warfare, John joined the Navy and noticed motion all through the Pacific theatre. In August 1943, his boat was rammed by a Japanese destroyer ‘Amagiri’. John F Kennedy was later embellished for his excellent bravery in rescuing a fellow crewman; he was additionally awarded the Purple Coronary heart for an incident later within the warfare. Afterwards, Kennedy was modest about his actions, saying he felt a bit embarrassed because it resulted from a botched army motion.
In 1946, he gained a seat in Boston for the US Home of Representatives, and in 1952 acquired himself elected to the US Senate, defeating the incumbent Republican.
In 1953, he married Jacqueline Lee Bouvier. In 1957 he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for biography for his e book ‘Profiles in Braveness‘ a e book about US Senators who stood up for his or her private beliefs.
In 1956, he was almost chosen to be the Vice Presidential candidate for Adlai Stevenson. The nationwide publicity raised his profile, and in 1960 he was chosen to be the Democratic nomination for the Presidency.
In 1960, in a really tight election, John F. Kennedy narrowly defeated the a lot fancied Republican, Richard Nixon. It was a memorable election with many tens of millions glued to the television within the pre-election hustings. John F Kennedy got here throughout very effectively on TV and seemed extra relaxed on digital camera.
It was the primary time a Roman Catholic had been elected president and it was an enormous problem in America the place many Protestants distrusted the prospect of America being influenced by the Vatican. He needed to guarantee voters he was not a Catholic candidate for the Presidency, however somebody standing for President who occurred to be a Catholic.
Throughout his inauguration, JFK gave a memorable speech, the place he famously inspired residents to assist the nation grow to be robust once more.
“Ask not what your nation can do for you — ask what you are able to do on your nation.”
He additionally known as for higher internationalism.
“We are going to clarify that America’s enduring concern is for each peace and freedom; that we’re anxious to dwell in concord with the Russian folks; that we search no conquests, no satellites, no riches; that we search solely the day when ‘nation shall not raise up sword towards nation, neither shall they study warfare any extra.”
In 1961, Kennedy ordered the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. It was principally led by Cuban exiles with minimal US help. Nevertheless, the invasion was a failure resulting in embarrassing negotiations with Fidel Castro’s Cuba.
In 1962, the world got here terribly near nuclear warfare in the course of the Cuban Missile Disaster. The Soviet Union moved missiles to Cuba. Many within the American army had been eager on an air strike on the missile bases, however Kennedy selected a extra cautious diplomatic strategy. He discovered a strategy to supply Khrushchev a manner out with out dropping face, whereas ensuring the missiles had been faraway from Cuba.
Throughout his transient presidency, John F Kennedy oversaw an escalation of US involvement in Vietnam, which included sending 16,000 army advisers to the nation. Later, Kennedy’s secretary of defence Robert McNamara stated Kennedy thought-about pulling out of Vietnam in 1963 and believes that if Kennedy had survived, American involvement would have ended. Tapes confirmed that Kennedy’s former Vice-President, Lyndon Johnson later criticised Kennedy’s opinion that America ought to withdraw.
Ich Bin Ein Berliner
In June 1963, Kennedy made a memorable speech in West Berlin. He criticised the Soviets for his or her divisive wall. He acknowledged:
“Freedom has many difficulties and democracy shouldn’t be good, however we now have by no means needed to put a wall as much as hold our folks in.”
John F Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested and placed on trial for his homicide. Nevertheless, earlier than he might attain trial, Lee Harvey Oswald was himself killed by Jack Ruby. Lee Harvey Oswald all the time pleaded his innocence and lots of imagine the assassination was a wider conspiracy.
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