I. L.

Caragiale National College

John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Student:
Sorina-Andreea Petre
Grade: 12 A
Coordinating teacher:
Angela Ionita
May, 2011
Table of Content
!r"ci ..3
1. #arly life and education ....4
2. I$age% ocial life and fa$ily .................................................5
3. Congreional career ................................................6
4.1. Ho!e o" #e$re!entati%e! .....6
4.2. Senate ...6
4. &'() *reidential election .....................................................&
5. !reidency ..'
5.1. (oreign $oli)y ..*
5.2. Pea)e +or$! 10
5.3. ,)lear -e!t .an -reaty 10
5.4. /o0e!ti) $oli)y .............................................10
5.5. 1)ono0y ....11
5.6. (ederal and 0ilitary deat2 $enalty .....11
5.&. +i%il rig2t! .....12
5.'. S$a)e $rogra0 ...............................................12
6. +aination ...13
&. Concluion ...14
,ibliogra*hy ................................................15
2
!r"ci
The $ain reaon I ha-e choen thi ub.ect i that I a$ intereted
in /S+ hitory% e*ecially in the *eriod after 0orld 0ar II. The /nited
State ha-e had 11 *reident% four of 2hich 2ere aainated and 2hoe
death intrigued $e. 3ne of the leader that ha-e ended their $andate
une4*ectedly 2a John Fitzgerald Kennedy.
JFK% a he i 5no2n% 2a *robably one of the $ot belo-ed
*reident of the /S+ due to the fact that he brought to +$erican life
ho*e for freedo$ and de$ocracy. 6e*onding to e-er $ore urgent
de$and% he too5 -igorou action in the caue of e7ual right% calling for
ne2 ci-il right legilation. 8i -iion of +$erica e4tended to the 7uality of
the national culture and the central role of the art in a -ital ociety.
Kennedy 2ihed +$erica to reu$e it old $iion a the firt
nation dedicated to the re-olution of hu$an right. 0ith the +lliance for
!rogre and the !eace Cor*% he brought +$erican ideali$ to the aid of
de-elo*ing nation.
,ot only 3a! 4ennedy t2e yonge!t 0an ele)ted Pre!ident, 5t al!o t2e
yonge!t to die, at t2e age o" 46. He 3a! 6illed 5y an a!!a!!in7! 5llet! a! 2i!
0otor)ade 3ond t2rog2 /alla!, -e8a!, 5t, e%en t2og2 2e 2ad a tragi) "ate,
9(4 re0ained in $eo$le:! 2eart! a! ;/ear Mr Pre!ident:.
3
&. #arly life and education
9o2n (it<gerald 4ennedy 3a! 5orn in
.roo6line, Ma!!a)2!ett! on -e!day, May 2*, 1*1&,
at 3:00 $.0. and t2e !e)ond !on o" 9o!e$2 P.
4ennedy, Sr., and #o!e (it<gerald. #o!e, in trn, 3a!
t2e elde!t )2ild o" 9o2n =Honey (it<= (it<gerald, a
$ro0inent .o!ton $oliti)al "igre 32o 3a! t2e )ity7!
0ayor and a t2ree-ter0 0e05er o" +ongre!!.
4ennedy li%ed in .roo6line "or ten year! and attended
1d3ard /e%otion S)2ool, ,o5le and Greenog2
>o3er S)2ool and t2e /e8ter S)2ool, t2rog2 4t2
grade. In 1*2&, t2e "a0ily 0o%ed to 5040
Inde$enden)e A%ene in #i%erdale, .ron8, ,e3
?or6 +ity. -3o year! later, t2ey 0o%ed to 2*4
Pond"ield #oad in .ron8%ille, ,e3 ?or6, 32ere
4ennedy 5e)a0e a 0e05er o" S)ot -roo$ 2 and 3a!
t2e "ir!t .oy S)ot to 5e)o0e Pre!ident.
1

4ennedy !$ent !00er! 3it2 2i! "a0ily at
t2eir 2o0e in Hyanni!$ort, Ma!!a)2!ett! and
+2ri!t0a! and 1a!ter 2oliday! 3it2 2i! "a0ily at t2eir 3inter 2o0e in Pal0 .ea)2, (lorida.
(or t2e 5t2 t2rog2 &t2 grade, 4ennedy attended #i%erdale +ontry S)2ool, a $ri%ate !)2ool
"or 5oy!. (or 't2 grade in Se$te05er 1*30, t2e 13-year old 4ennedy attended +anter5ry
S)2ool in ,e3 Mil"ord, +onne)ti)t. In late A$ril 1*31, 2e 2ad a$$endi)iti! re@iring an
a$$ende)to0y, a"ter 32i)2 2e 3it2dre3 "ro0 +anter5ry and re)$erated at 2o0e.
In Se$te05er 1*31, 4ennedy 3a! !ent to -2e +2oate S)2ool in Aalling"ord,
+onne)ti)t, "or 2i! *t2 t2rog2 12t2 grade year!. Hi! older 5rot2er 9oe 9r., 3a! already at
+2oate, t3o year! a2ead o" 2i0, a "oot5all !tar and leading !tdent in t2e !)2ool. 9a)6 !$ent
2i! "ir!t year! at +2oate in 2i! 5rot2er7! !2ado3 and )o0$en!ated "or t2i! 3it2 re5ellio!
5e2a%ior t2at attra)ted a )oterie.
In 9ne 1*34 2e 3a! ad0itted to t2e Mayo +lini) in #o)2e!ter, Minne!ota and
diagno!ed 3it2 )oliti!. 4ennedy gradated "ro0 +2oate in 9ne 1*35. (or t2e !)2ool
year5oo6, o" 32i)2 2e 2ad 5een 5!ine!! 0anager, 4ennedy 3a! %oted t2e =Mo!t li6ely to
S))eed=.
In Se$te05er 1*36, 4ennedy enrolled at Har%ard +ollege, 32ere 2e $rod)ed t2at
year7! annal =(re!20an S0o6er=, )alled 5y a re%ie3er =an ela5orate entertain0ent, 32i)2
1
Man)2e!ter, Aillia0. Portrait o" a Pre!ident: 9o2n (. 4ennedy in Pro"ile, >ittle .ro3n B +o0$any, 1*6&, $age
'&
4
in)lded in it! )a!t ot!tanding $er!onalitie! o" t2e radio, !)reen and !$ort! 3orld.= He tried
ot "or t2e "oot5all, gol", and !3i00ing tea0! and earned a !$ot on t2e %ar!ity !3i0 tea0.
In 9ly 1*3&, 4ennedy !ailed to (ran)e, 3it2 2i! )on%erti5le on 5oard and !$ent ten
3ee6! dri%ing t2rog2 1ro$e 3it2 a "riend. In 9ne 1*3', 4ennedy !ailed o%er!ee! 3it2 2i!
"at2er and 5rot2er 9oe to 3or6 3it2 #oo!e%elt7! C.S. A05a!!ador to t2e +ort o" St. 9a0e!7!,
at t2e A0eri)an e05a!!y in >ondon.
In 1*40, 4ennedy )o0$leted 2i! t2e!i!, =A$$ea!e0ent in Mni)2= a5ot .riti!2
$arti)i$ation in t2e Mni)2 Agree0ent. He initially intended 2i! t2e!i! to 5e $ri%ate, 5t 2i!
"at2er en)oraged 2i0 to $5li!2 it. He gradated cum laude "ro0 Har%ard 3it2 a degree in
international a""air! in 1*40 and 2i! t2e!i! 3a! $5li!2ed t2at year a! a 5oo6 entitled Why
England Slept and 5e)a0e a 5e!t!eller. 4ennedy enrolled and adited )la!!e! at t2e Stan"ord
Gradate S)2ool o" .!ine!!. In early 1*41, 2e 2el$ed 2i! "at2er )o0$lete t2e 3riting o" a
0e0oir o" 2i! t2ree year! a! an A0eri)an a05a!!ador and t2en tra%eled t2rog2ot Sot2
A0eri)a.
9. I$age% ocial life and fa$ily
9o2n 4ennedy 0et 2i! "tre 3i"e, 9a)@eline
.o%ier, 32en 2e 3a! a )ongre!!0an. +2arle! >. .artlett, a
Dornali!t, introd)ed t2e $air at a dinner $arty. -2ey 3ere
0arried a year a"ter 2e 3a! ele)ted !enator, on Se$te05er
12, 1*53. 4ennedy and 2i! 3i"e 3ere yonger in
)o0$ari!on to t2e $re!ident! and "ir!t ladie! t2at $re)eded
t2e0 and 5ot2 3ere $o$lar in 3ay! 0ore )o00on to $o$
!inger! and 0o%ie !tar! t2an $oliti)ian!, in"len)ing "a!2ion
trend! and 5e)o0ing t2e !5De)t! o" n0ero! $2oto!
!$read! in $o$lar 0aga<ine!. Alt2og2 1i!en2o3er 2ad
allo3ed $re!idential $re!! )on"eren)e! to 5e "il0ed "or
tele%i!ion, 4ennedy 3a! t2e "ir!t $re!ident to a!6 "or t2e0
to 5e 5road)a!t li%e and 0ade good !e o" t2e 0edi0.
9a)@eline 5rog2t ne3 art and "rnitre to t2e
A2ite Ho!e and dire)ted it! re!toration. -2ey in%ited a
range o" arti!t!, 3riter! and intelle)tal! to rond! o" A2ite
Ho!e dinner!, rai!ing t2e $ro"ile o" t2e art! in A0eri)a.
-2e 4ennedy "a0ily i! one o" t2e 0o!t
e!ta5li!2ed $oliti)al "a0ilie! in t2e Cnited State!, 2a%ing $rod)ed a $re!ident, t2ree !enator!
and 0lti$le ot2er re$re!entati%e!, 5ot2 on t2e "ederal and !tate le%el.
2

9o2n 4ennedy7! "at2er, 9o!e$2 P. 4ennedy, 3a! a $ro0inent A0eri)an
5!ine!!0an and $oliti)al "igre, !er%ing in 0lti$le role!, in)lding A05a!!ador to t2e
Cnited 4ingdo0, "ro0 1*3' to 1*40.
+aroline .o%ier 4ennedy 3a! 5orn in 1*5& and i! t2e only !r%i%ing 0e05er o"
9(47! i00ediate "a0ily. 9o2n (. 4ennedy, 9r. 3a! 5orn in 1*60, D!t a "e3 3ee6! a"ter 2i!
"at2er 3a! ele)ted. 9o2n died in 1***, 32en t2e !0all $lane 2e 3a! $iloting )ra!2ed en rote
to Mart2a7! Eineyard, 6illing 2i0, 2i! 3i"e, +arolyn .e!!ette and 2i! !i!ter-in-la3.
Ft!ide t2e A2ite Ho!e la3n, t2e 4ennedy:! e!ta5li!2ed a !3i00ing $ool and a
tree 2o!e, 32ile +aroline attended a $re!)2ool along 3it2 10 ot2er )2ildren in!ide t2e 2o0e.
2
+ollier, Peter B Horo3it<, /a%id. -2e 4ennedy!, 1n)onter .oo6!, 1*'4, $age 52
5
Fn May 1*, 1*62, Marilyn Monroe !ang =Ha$$y .irt2day, Mr. Pre!ident= at a
large $arty in Madi!on S@are Garden, )ele5rating 4ennedy7! $)o0ing "orty-"i"t2 5irt2day.
-2e )2ari!0a o" 4ennedy and 2i! "a0ily led to t2e "igrati%e de!ignation o" =+a0elot= "or 2i!
ad0ini!tration, )redited 5y 2i! 3i"e to 2i! a""e)tion "or t2e )onte0$orary .road3ay 0!i)al o"
t2e !a0e na0e.
.e2ind t2e gla0oro! "a)ade, t2e 4ennedy! al!o e8$erien)ed 0any $er!onal
tragedie!. 9a)@eline 2ad a 0i!)arriage in 1*55 and a !till5irt2 in 1*56. -2eir ne35orn !on,
Patri)6 .o%ier 4ennedy, died in Ag!t 1*63. 4ennedy 2ad t3o )2ildren 32o !r%i%ed
in"an)y. Fne o" t2e "nda0ental a!$e)t! o" t2e 4ennedy "a0ily i! a tragi) !train 32i)2 2a! rn
t2rog2 t2e "a0ily, a! a re!lt o" t2e %iolent and nti0ely deat2! o" 0any o" it! 0e05er!.
The Kennedy family in Hyannis Port in 1963
:. Congreional career
:.&. 8oue of 6e*reentati-e
4ennedy:! arri%al in Aa!2ington in 9anary 1*4& )oin)ided 3it2 a dra0ati)
trna5ot in /e0o)rati) Party "ortne! and 0onting national )on)ern a5ot t2e )o00ni!t
t2reat. Ait2 n0ero! la5or 3al6ot! o%er in!""i)ient 3age 2i6e! to 0eet a 6.5 $er)ent
in"lation rate in 1*46 and gro3ing "ear! o" )o00ni!t !5%er!ion and e8$an!ion, t2e )ontry
2ad re3arded t2e #e$5li)an! 3it2 a "i"ty-eig2t !eat 0aDority in t2e Ho!e and a "or-!eat
ad%antage in t2e Senate. 4ennedy 5eat 2i! #e$5li)an o$$onent 5y a large 0argin de!$ite not
2a%ing $re%io!ly in)lded $oliti)! in 2i! )areer $lanning. He 3a! a )ongre!!0an "or !i8 year!
5t 2ad a 0i8ed %oting re)ord, o"ten di%erging "ro0 Pre!ident Harry S. -r0an and t2e re!t o"
t2e /e0o)rati) Party.
:.9. Senate
In 1*52, 4ennedy de"eated in)05ent #e$5li)an Henry +a5ot >odge, 9r. "or t2e
C.S. Senate. 4ennedy nder3ent !e%eral !$inal o$eration! o%er t2e "ollo3ing t3o year!, 3a!
at ti0e! )riti)ally ill and re)ei%ed +at2oli) la!t rite! and 3a! o"ten a5!ent "ro0 t2e Senate.
/ring 2i! )on%ale!)en)e in 1*56, 2e $5li!2ed Profiles in Courage, a 5oo6 a5ot C.S.
Senator! 32o ri!6ed t2eir )areer! "or t2eir $er!onal 5elie"!, and 32i)2 re)ei%ed t2e Plit<er
Pri<e "or .iogra$2y in 1*5&. #0or! t2at t2i! 3or6 3a! )o-at2ored 5y 2i! )lo!e ad%i!er and
!$ee)23riter, -ed Soren!en, 3ere )on"ir0ed in Soren!en7! 200' ato5iogra$2y.
At t2e 1*56 /e0o)rati) ,ational +on%ention, 4ennedy 3a! no0inated "or Ei)e
Pre!ident, "or t2e $re!idential no0inee Adlai Ste%en!on, 5t "ini!2ed !e)ond in t2at 5alloting
to Senator 1!te! 4e"a%er o" -enne!!ee. 4ennedy re)ei%ed national e8$o!re "ro0 t2at
6
e$i!odeG 2i! "at2er t2og2t it D!t a! 3ell t2at 2i! !on lo!t, de to t2e $oliti)al de5ility o" 2i!
+at2oli)i!0 and t2e !trengt2 o" t2e 1i!en2o3er ti)6et.
Fne o" t2e 0atter! de0anding 4ennedy7! attention in t2e Senate 3a! Pre!ident
1i!en2o3er7! 5ill "or t2e +i%il #ig2t! A)t o" 1*5&. 4ennedy )a!t a $ro)edral %ote on t2i!
32i)2 3a! )on!idered 5y !o0e a! an a$$ea!e0ent o" Sot2ern /e0o)rati) o$$onent! o" t2e
5ill. 4ennedy did %ote "or -itle III o" t2e a)t, 32i)2 3old 2a%e gi%en t2e Attorney General
Po3er! to enDoin, 5t MaDority >eader >yndon 9o2n!on agreed to let t2e $ro%i!ion die a! a
)o0$ro0i!e 0ea!re. 4ennedy al!o %oted "or -itle IE, ter0ed t2e ;9ry -rial A0end0ent:.
Many )i%il rig2t! ad%o)ate! at t2e ti0e )riti)i<ed t2at %ote a! one 32i)2 3old 3ea6en t2e a)t.
A "inal )o0$ro0i!e 5ill, 32i)2 4ennedy !$$orted, 3a! $a!!ed in Se$te05er 1*5&
3
. In 1*5',
4ennedy 3a! re-ele)ted to a !e)ond ter0 in t2e Senate, de"eating 2i! #e$5li)an o$$onent,
.o!ton la3yer Ein)ent 9. +ele!te, 5y a 3ide 0argin.
Senator ohn !" Kennedy in his Senate #ffice$
19%9
1. &'() *reidential election
A! re)ently a! 1*45, a"ter 0a6ing -r0an 2i! EP, #oo!e%elt 2ad "ailed to in"or0
2i0 a5ot t2e ato0i) 5o05. -2e on!et o" t2e +old Aar and ,i8on:! ri!e to $oliti)al
$ro0inen)e, 2o3e%er, 2ad 0ade t2e %i)e $re!iden)y a 0ore i0$ortant o""i)e. And t2og2
4ennedy at age "orty-t2ree !a3 no rea!on to 3orry a5ot dying, at lea!t not !in)e 2e 2ad
5egn !ing re$la)e0ent )orti!one in 1*4&, 2e 3anted !o0eone 32o )old 2el$ in a )lo!e
ele)tion and 2a%e indi!$ta5le )o0$eten)e a! a $o!!i5le !))e!!or. A ri)2 "ield o" )andidate!
to )2oo!e "ro0 )o0$li)ated 4ennedy:! de)i!ion. H0$2rey, 9o2n!on, and Sy0ington 3ere
o5%io! "rontrnner!, 5e)a!e o" t2eir ri%al )andida)ie! and t2eir !tanding a! e8$erien)ed
)ongre!!ional leader!. Senator Henry HS)oo$I 9a)6!on o" Aa!2ington, an e8$ert on de"en!e
i!!e! and e%en Ste%en!on 3ere ot2er $o!!i5ilitie!.
ohn and ac&ie Kennedy campaigning
in 'ppleton$ Wisconsin$ (arch 196)
3
F7.rien, Mi)2ael. 9o2n (. 4ennedy: A .iogra$2y, -2o0a! /nne .oo6!, 2005, $age 3&4
&
Fn 9anary 2, 1*60, 4ennedy initiated 2i! )a0$aign "or Pre!ident in t2e
/e0o)rati) $ri0ary ele)tion, 32ere 2e "a)ed )2allenge! "ro0 Senator H5ert H0$2rey o"
Minne!ota and Senator Aayne Mor!e o" Fregon. 4ennedy de"eated H0$2rey in Ai!)on!in
and Ae!t Eirginia, Mor!e in Maryland and Fregon, a! 3ell a! to6en o$$o!ition in ,e3
Ha0$!2ire, Indiana and ,e5ra!6a. 4ennedy 0ade a $oint o" %i!iting a )oal 0ine in Ae!t
Eirginia. Mo!t 0iner! and ot2er! in t2at $redo0inantly )on!er%ati%e Prote!tant !tate 3ere
@ite 3ary o" 4ennedy7! #o0an +at2oli)i!0. Hi! %i)tory in Ae!t Eirginia )on"ir0ed 2i!
5road $o$lar a$$eal.
;. !reidency
9o2n (. 4ennedy 3a! !3orn in a! t2e 35t2 Pre!ident at noon on 9anary 20, 1*61.
In 2i! inagral addre!! 2e !$o6e o" t2e need "or all A0eri)an! to 5e a)ti%e )iti<en!, "a0o!ly
!aying, =A!6 not 32at yor )ontry )an do "or yoG a!6 32at yo )an do "or yor )ontry.= He
al!o a!6ed t2e nation! o" t2e 3orld to Doin toget2er to "ig2t 32at 2e )alled t2e =)o00on
ene0ie! o" 0an: tyranny, $o%erty, di!ea!e and 3ar it!el".= He added: =All t2i! 3ill not 5e
"ini!2ed in t2e "ir!t one 2ndred day!. ,or 3ill it 5e "ini!2ed in t2e "ir!t one t2o!and day!,
nor in t2e li"e o" t2i! Ad0ini!tration, nor e%en $er2a$! in or li"eti0e on t2i! $lanet. .t let !
5egin.= In )lo!ing, 2e e8$anded on 2i! de!ire "or greater internationali!0: =(inally, 32et2er
yo are )iti<en! o" A0eri)a or )iti<en! o" t2e 3orld a!6 o" ! 2ere t2e !a0e 2ig2 !tandard! o"
!trengt2 and !a)ri"i)e 32i)2 3e a!6 o" yo.=
4
4ennedy 5rog2t to t2e A2ite Ho!e a !tar6 )ontra!t in organi<ation )o0$ared to
t2e de)i!ion 0a6ing !tr)tre o" t2e "or0er general, 1i!en2o3er and 2e 3a!ted no ti0e in
di!0antling it. 4ennedy $re"erred t2e organi<ational !tr)tre o" a 32eel, 3it2 all t2e !$o6e!
leading to t2e $re!ident. He 3a! ready and 3illing to 0a6e t2e in)rea!ed n05er o" @i)6
de)i!ion! re@ired in !)2 an en%iron0ent and did a 0on0ental Do5 o" !ele)ting 2i! )a5inet
and ot2er a$$oint0ent!, !o0e e8$erien)ed and !o0e not. In t2o!e )a!e! o" ine8$erien)e, 2e
!tated, =3e )an learn or Do5! toget2er=. -2ere 3ere a )o$le in!tan)e! 32ere t2e $re!ident got
a2ead o" 2i0!el", a! 32en 2e annon)ed in a )a5inet 0eeting, 3it2ot $rior noti)e, t2at
1d3ard >an!dale 3old 5e A05a!!ador to Sot2 Eietna0, a de)i!ion 32i)2 Se)retary o"
State #!6 later 2ad 4ennedy alter. -2ere 3a! al!o t2e ra$id a$$oint0ent o" Harri! Ao""ord
32o 3a! !00oned and arri%ed at t2e A2ite Ho!e "or !3earing in, 3it2ot 6no3ing t2e
$o!ition 2e 3a! to a!!0e.
A"ter a year in t2e $re!iden)y, it 3a! ea!y "or 4ennedy to t2in6 o" 2i0!el" a! a
)ri!i! 0anager J a +2ie" 18e)ti%e trying to 6ee$ $ro5le0! 3it2 t2e So%iet!, +5a, >ao! and
Eietna0 "ro0 trning into )ata!tro$2e! and di""i)ltie! 3it2 t2e e)ono0y and )i%il rig2t! "ro0
de!ta5ili<ing t2e )ontry and e05arra!!ing it o%er!ea!. .t in t2e 0id!t o" all 2i! di""i)ltie!
J Ht2e "i8 t2at 2e 3a! in a! Pre!ident o" t2e Cnited State!I, a! Soren!en de!)ri5ed it J
4ennedy 0aintained 2i! o5De)ti%ity and !en!e o" 20or. Hi! a5ility to deta)2 2i0!el" and
4
.rner, /a%id. ohn !" Kennedy and a *e+ ,eneration, .o!ton: S)ott, (ore!0an and +o., 1*'', $age 15&
'
a%oid trning a dile00a into a !tri)tly $er!onal )2allenge 3a! a !inglarly !e"l attri5te in
dealing 3it2 a3e!o0e 5rden!. He al!o too6 )o0"ort in 2i! "ait2.
;.&. Foreign *olicy
Pre!ident 4ennedy7! "oreign $oli)y 3a! do0inated 5y A0eri)an-So%iet
)on"rontation!, 0ani"e!ted 5y $ro8y )onte!t! in t2e early !tage o" t2e +old Aar. In 1*61,
4ennedy an8io!ly anti)i$ated a !00it 3it2 ,i6ita 42r!)2e%. Fn t2e 3ay to t2e !00it
3a! a !to$ in Pari! in 9ne to 0eet +2arle! de Galle, 32o!e ad%i)e to 4ennedy 3a! to e8$e)t
and ignore t2e a5ra!i%e !tyle o" 42r!)2e%. -2e (ren)2 Pri0e Mini!ter 3a! nationali!ti), and
di!dain"l o" t2e Cnited State!7 $re!0ed in"len)e in 1ro$e, in 2i! tal6! 3it2 4ennedy.
,e%ert2ele!!, de Galle 3a! @ite i0$re!!ed 3it2 t2e yong $re!ident and "a0ily. 4ennedy
$i)6ed $ on t2i! in 2i! !$ee)2 in Pari!, !aying 2e 3old 5e re0e05ered a! =t2e 0an 32o
a))o0$anied 9a)6ie 4ennedy to Pari!.=

!oreign trips of ohn !" Kennedy
during his Presidency
>ater t2at 9ne, t2e $re!ident 0et
42r!)2e% in Eienna and le"t t2e 0eeting! angry
and di!a$$ointed t2at 2e 2ad allo3ed t2e Pre0ier
to 5lly 2i0, de!$ite 3arning! re)ei%ed.
42r!)2e% "or 2i! $art 3a! i0$re!!ed 3it2 t2e
$re!ident7! intelligen)e 5t t2og2t 2i0 3ea6.
4ennedy did !))eed in )on%eying t2e 5otto0
line to 42r!)2e% on t2e 0o!t !en!iti%e i!!e
5e"ore t2e0, a $ro$o!ed treaty 5et3een Mo!)o3
and 1a!t .erlin. He 0ade it )lear t2at any !)2
treaty 32i)2 inter"ered 3it2 C.S a))e!! rig2t! in
Ae!t .erlin 3old 5e regarded a! an a)t o" 3ar.
S2ortly a"ter t2e $re!ident retrned 2o0e, t2e C.S.S.#. annon)ed t2e intent to
treat 3it2 1a!t .erlin, regardle!! o" any t2ird $arty o))$ation rig2t! in eit2er !e)tor o" t2e
)ity. A de$re!!ed and angry $re!ident a!!0ed t2at 2i! o5ligation 3a! to $re$are t2e )ontry
"or n)lear 3ar a! t2e only o$tion, 32i)2 2e $er!onally t2og2t 2ad a one in "i%e )2an)e o"
o))rring.
In t2e 3ee6! i00ediately a"ter t2e Eienna !00it, 0ore t2an 20,000 $eo$le "led
"ro0 1a!t .erlin to t2e 3e!tern !e)tor in rea)tion to !tate0ent! "ro0 t2e C.S.S.#. 4ennedy
5egan inten!i%e 0eeting! on t2e .erlin i!!e, 32ere /ean A)2e!on too6 t2e lead in
re)o00ending a 0ilitary 5ild$ 3it2 ,A-F allie! a! t2e a$$ro$riate re!$on!e.
In a 9ly 1*61 !$ee)2, 4ennedy annon)ed 2i! de)i!ion to add K3.25 5illion to t2e
de"en!e 5dget, along 3it2 o%er 200 t2o!and additional troo$! "or t2e 0ilitary, !aying an
*
atta)6 on Ae!t .erlin 3old 5e ta6en a! an atta)6 on t2e C.S. -2e !$ee)2 re)ei%ed an '5L
a$$ro%al rating. -2e "ollo3ing 0ont2, t2e C.S.S.#. and 1a!t .erlin o""i)ial! 5egan 5lo)6ing
any "rt2er $a!!age o" 1a!t .erliner! into Ae!t .erlin, ere)ting 5ar5ed 3ire "en)e! a)ro!! t2e
)ity, 32i)2 3ere @i)6ly $graded to t2e .erlin Aall.
Shah of -ran (ohammad .e/a Shah Pahla0i$
Kennedy and Secretary of 1efense .o2ert
(c*amara in the White House Ca2inet .oom on
'pril 13$ 1963
;.9. !eace Cor*
A! one o" 2i! "ir!t $re!idential a)t!, 4ennedy a!6ed +ongre!! to )reate t2e Pea)e
+or$!. Hi! 5rot2er-in-la3, #o5ert Sargent S2ri%er, 9r. 3a! t2e "ir!t dire)tor. -2rog2 t2i!
$rogra0, A0eri)an! %olnteer to 2el$ nderde%elo$ed nation! in area! !)2 a! ed)ation,
"ar0ing, 2ealt2 )are and )on!tr)tion. -2e at2ori<ation gre3 to 5,000 0e05er! 5y Mar)2,
1*63 and 10,000 t2e "ollo3ing year. Sin)e 1*61, o%er 200,000 A0eri)an! 2a%e Doined t2e
Pea)e +or$!, !er%ing in 13* )ontrie!.
;.:. Nuclear Tet ,an Treaty
-ro5led 5y t2e long-ter0 danger! o" radioa)ti%e )onta0ination and n)lear
3ea$on! $roli"eration, 4ennedy and 42r!2)2e% agreed on t2e de!ira5ility o" negotiating a
n)lear te!t 5an treaty, originally )on)ei%ed in Adlai Ste%en!on7! 1*56 $re!idential )a0$aign.
In t2eir Eienna !00it 0eeting in 9ne 1*61, 42r!2)2e% and 4ennedy rea)2ed an in"or0al
nder!tanding again!t n)lear te!ting. Ho3e%er, 42r!2)2e% 5egan te!ting n)lear 3ea$on!
t2at Se$te05er. 4ennedy re!$onded 5y )ond)ting te!t! 5 day! later.
S2ortly t2erea"ter, ne3 C.S !atellite! 5egan deli%ering i0age! 32i)2 0ade it )lear
t2at t2e So%iet! 3ere !5!tantially 5e2ind t2e C.S. in t2e =0i!!ile ga$=. ,e%ert2ele!!, t2e
greater n)lear !trengt2 o" t2e C.S. 3a! o" little %ale a! long a! t2e C.S.S.#. $er)ei%ed t2e0
to 5e at $arity.
5
In 9ly 1*63 t2e !tage 3a! !et "or negotiation! and 4ennedy !ent A%erell Harri0an
to Mo!)o3 to negotiate a treaty 3it2 t2e So%iet!. -2e introd)tory !e!!ion! 5egan 3it2
42r!2)2e%, 32o t2en delegated So%iet re$re!entation to Andrei Gro0y6o. It @i)6ly 5e)a0e
)lear t2at t2e !tated o5De)ti%e o" a )o0$re2en!i%e te!t 5an 3old not rea)2 "rition, de to t2e
rel)tan)e o" t2e So%iet! "or in!$e)tion! to %eri"y )o0$lian)e.
Clti0ately, t2e Cnited State!, t2e Cnited 4ingdo0 and t2e So%iet Cnion 3ere t2e
initial !ignatorie! to a li0ited treaty, 32i)2 $ro2i5ited ato0i) te!ting on t2e grond, in t2e
at0o!$2ere or nder3ater, 5t not ndergrond. -2e C.S. Senate rati"ied t2i! and 4ennedy
!igned it into la3 in F)to5er 1*63. (ran)e 3a! @i)6 to de)lare t2at it 3a! "ree to "rt2er
de%elo$ and te!t it! n)lear de"en!e!.
5
#ee%e!, #i)2ard. President Kennedy4 Profile of Po+er, Si0on B S)2!ter, 1**3, $age 243
10
;.1. <o$etic *olicy
(or all 4ennedy:! e""ort! to tal6 $ 2i! legi!lati%e a))o0$li!20ent!, a de"en!i%e
tone re%ealed 2i! o3n do5t! and 2i! li0ited intere!t in do0e!ti) a""air!. And de!$ite leading
2i! State o" t2e Cnion Me!!age 3it2 a di!)!!ion o" do0e!ti) i!!e!, 2e "o)!ed nearly 60
$er)ent o" t2e addre!! on international a""air!: national !e)rity, t2e C.,., >atin A0eri)a, ne3
and de%elo$ing nation!, t2e Atlanti) )o00nity, t2e 5alan)e o" $ay0ent! and trade.
4ennedy )alled 2i! do0e!ti) $rogra0 t2e =,e3 (rontier=. It a05itio!ly $ro0i!ed
"ederal "nding "or ed)ation, 0edi)al )are "or t2e elderly, e)ono0i) aid to rral region! and
go%ern0ent inter%ention to 2alt t2e re)e!!ion. 4ennedy al!o $ro0i!ed an end to ra)ial
di!)ri0ination. In 2i! 1*63 State o" t2e Cnion, 2e $ro$o!ed !5!tantial ta8 re"or0 and
red)tion, in in)o0e ta8 rate!, "ro0 t2e )rrent range o" 20-*0L to a range o" 14-65L. He
al!o $ro$o!ed a red)tion in t2e )or$orate ta8 rate! "ro0 52 to 4&L. +ongre!! did not a)t ntil
1*64, a"ter 2i! deat2.
-o t2e 1)ono0i)! +l5 o" ,.?., 2e !$o6e in 1*63 o" =...t2e $arado8i)al trt2 t2at
ta8 rate! are too 2ig2 and re%ene! too lo3 and t2e !onde!t 3ay to rai!e re%ene in t2e long
ter0 i! to lo3er rate! no3.= (e3 o" 4ennedy7! 0aDor $rogra0! $a!!ed +ongre!! dring 2i!
li"eti0e, alt2og2, nder 2i! !))e!!or 9o2n!on, +ongre!! did %ote t2e0 t2rog2 in 1*64M65.
;.;. #cono$y
4ennedy ended a $eriod o" tig2t "i!)al $oli)ie!, loo!ening 0onetary $oli)y to 6ee$
intere!t rate! do3n and en)orage gro3t2 o" t2e e)ono0y. 4ennedy $re!ided o%er t2e "ir!t
go%ern0ent 5dget to to$ t2e K100 5illion 0ar6, in 1*62 and 2i! "ir!t 5dget in 1*61 led to t2e
)ontry7! "ir!t non-3ar, non-re)e!!ion de"i)it. -2e e)ono0y, 32i)2 2ad 5een t2rog2
re)e!!ion! a))elerated nota5ly dring 2i! 5rie" $re!iden)y.
/e!$ite lo3 in"lation and intere!t rate!, G/P 2ad gro3n 5y an a%erage o" only
2.2L dring t2e 1i!en2o3er $re!iden)y N!)ar)ely 0ore t2an $o$lation gro3t2 at t2e ti0eO
and 2ad de)lined 5y 1L dring 1i!en2o3er7! la!t t3el%e 0ont2! in o""i)e. Stagnation 2ad
ta6en a toll on t2e nation7! la5or 0ar6et, a! 3ell: ne0$loy0ent 2ad ri!en !teadily "ro0 nder
3L in 1*53 to &L, 5y early 1*61.
-2e e)ono0y trned arond and $ro!$ered dring t2e 4ennedy ad0ini!tration.
G/P e8$anded 5y an a%erage o" 5.5L "ro0 early 1*61 to late 1*63, 32ile in"lation re0ained
!teady at arond 1L and ne0$loy0ent ea!ed. Ind!trial $rod)tion ro!e 5y 15L and 0otor
%e2i)le !ale! lea$t 5y 40L.-2i! rate o" gro3t2 in G/P and ind!try )ontined ntil arond
1*66 and 2a! yet to 5e re$eated "or !)2 a !!tained $eriod o" ti0e.
-2ere 3ere ne%ert2ele!! !o0e $ain"l 0o0ent!, a! in t2e !to)6 0ar6et, 32i)2 2ad
!teadily de)lined !in)e 4ennedy7! ele)tion and 32i)2 dro$$ed a "ll 10L !2ortly a"ter t2e
ad0ini!tration7! a)tion on t2e !teel ind!try in 1*62.
-2e 0aDor !teel )o0$anie! annon)ed in A$ril 1*62 a 3.5L $ri)e in)rea!e Nt2e "ir!t
in 3 year!O 3it2in a day o" ea)2 ot2er. -2i! )a0e D!t day! a"ter t2e )o0$anie! 2ad rea)2ed a
!ettle0ent 3it2 t2e !teel3or6er!7 nion, $ro%iding in )2ie" a 3age in)rea!e o" 2.5L. -2e
$re!ident too6 $er!onal )2arge o" a )a0$aign again!t t2e ind!try, a!!igning to ea)2 )a5inet
0e05er a !tate0ent regarding t2e e""e)t! o" t2e $ri)e in)rea!e on t2eir area.
;.(. Federal and $ilitary death *enalty
A! Pre!ident, 4ennedy o%er!a3 t2e la!t $re-!urman "ederal e8e)tion, and, a! o"
200', t2e la!t 0ilitary e8e)tion. Go%ernor o" Io3a Harold Hg2e!, a deat2 $enalty o$$onent,
$er!onally )onta)ted 4ennedy to re@e!t )le0en)y "or Ei)tor (eger, 32o 3a! !enten)ed to
11
deat2 5y a "ederal )ort in Io3a, 5t 4ennedy trned do3n t2e re@e!t and (eger 3a!
e8e)ted on Mar)2 15, 1*63. 4ennedy )o00ted a deat2 !enten)e i0$o!ed 5y 0ilitary )ort
on Sea0an 9i00ie Hender!on on (e5rary 12, 1*62, )2anging t2e $enalty to li"e in $ri!on.
Fn Mar)2 22, 1*62, 4ennedy !igned into la3 H#5143 NP>'&-423O, a5oli!2ing t2e
0andatory deat2 $enalty "or "ir!t degree 0rder in t2e /i!tri)t o" +ol05ia, t2e only
re0aining Dri!di)tion in t2e Cnited State! 3it2 a 0andatory deat2 !enten)e "or "ir!t degree
0rder, re$la)ing it 3it2 li"e i0$ri!on0ent 3it2 $arole i" t2e Dry )old not de)ide 5et3een
li"e i0$ri!on0ent and t2e deat2 $enalty, or i" t2e Dry )2o!e li"e i0$ri!on0ent 5y a nani0o!
%ote. -2e deat2 $enalty in t2e /i!tri)t o" +ol05ia 2a! not 5een a$$lied !in)e 1*5& and 2a!
no3 5een a5oli!2ed.
;.=. Ci-il right
-2e tr5lent end o" !tate-!an)tioned ra)ial di!)ri0ination 3a! one o" t2e 0o!t
$re!!ing do0e!ti) i!!e! o" t2e 1*60!. -2e Cnited State! S$re0e +ort 2ad rled in 1*54 in
5ro+n 0" 5oard of Education t2at ra)ial !egregation in $5li) !)2ool! 3a! n)on!tittional.
Ho3e%er, 0any !)2ool!, e!$e)ially in !ot2ern !tate!, did not o5ey t2e S$re0e +ort7!
de)i!ion.
Fn 9ne 11, 1*63, Pre!ident 4ennedy inter%ened 32en Ala5a0a Go%ernor George
Aalla)e 5lo)6ed t2e door3ay to t2e Cni%er!ity o" Ala5a0a to !to$ t3o A"ri)an A0eri)an
!tdent!, Ei%ian Malone and 9a0e! Hood, "ro0 attending. Aalla)e 0o%ed a!ide only a"ter
5eing )on"ronted 5y /e$ty Attorney General ,i)2ola! 4at<en5a)2 and t2e Ala5a0a ,ational
Gard, 32i)2 2ad D!t 5een "ederali<ed 5y order o" t2e Pre!ident and 32i)2 2ad 2or! earlier
5een nder Aalla)e7! )o00and. -2at e%ening 4ennedy ga%e 2i! "a0o! )i%il rig2t! addre!!
on national tele%i!ion and radio, lan)2ing 2i! initiati%e "or )i%il rig2t! legi!lation - to $ro%ide
e@al a))e!! to $5li) !)2ool! and ot2er "a)ilitie! and greater $rote)tion o" %oting rig2t!. Hi!
$ro$o!al! 5e)a0e $art o" t2e +i%il #ig2t! A)t o" 1*64.
4ennedy !igned t2e e8e)ti%e order )reating t2e Pre!idential +o00i!!ion on t2e
Stat! o" Ao0en in 1*61. +o00i!!ion !tati!ti)! re%ealed t2at 3o0en 3ere al!o e8$erien)ing
di!)ri0ination. -2eir "inal re$ort do)0enting legal and )ltral 5arrier! 3a! i!!ed in
F)to5er 1*63. 1arlier, on 9ne 10, 1*63, 4ennedy !igned t2e 1@al Pay A)t o" 1*63, a "ederal
la3 a0ending t2e (air >a5or Standard! A)t, ai0ed at a5oli!2ing 3age di!$arity 5a!ed on !e8.
F%er a 2ndred t2o!and, $redo0inantly A"ri)an A0eri)an! gat2ered in
Aa!2ington "or t2e )i%il rig2t! Mar)2 on Aa!2ington "or 9o5! and (reedo0 on Ag!t 2',
1*63. -2e Mar)2 3a! )on!idered a =tri0$2 o" 0anaged $rote!t= and not one arre!t relating to
t2e de0on!tration o))rred. A"ter3ard!, t2e Mar)2 leader! a))e$ted an in%itation to t2e A2ite
Ho!e to 0eet 3it2 4ennedy. 4ennedy "elt t2e Mar)2 3a! a %i)tory "or 2i0 a! 3ell and
5ol!tered t2e )2an)e! "or 2i! )i%il rig2t! 5ill.
;.>. S*ace *rogra$
A! a !enator, 4ennedy 2ad 5een o$$o!ed to t2e !$a)e $rogra0. 1arly in 2i!
$re!iden)y 2e 3a! $oi!ed to di!0antle $lan! "or t2e A$ollo $rogra0 5t $o!t$oned any
de)i!ion ot o" de"eren)e to 2i! %i)e $re!ident 32o0 2e 2ad a$$ointed )2air0an o" t2e C.S.
S$a)e +on)il and 32o !trongly !$$orted ,ASA de to it! -e8a! lo)ation. -2i! )2anged
3it2 2i! 9anary 1*61 State o" t2e Cnion addre!!, 32en 2e !gge!ted international )oo$eration
in !$a)e. -2e C.S. 2ad lan)2ed a geo!yn)2rono! !atellite in 9ly 1*62 and 4ennedy 2ad
a!6ed +ongre!! to a$$ro%e 0ore t2an K25 5illion "or t2e A$ollo $rogra0.
12
In Se$te05er 1*63, dring a !$ee)2 5e"ore t2e Cnited ,ation!, 4ennedy again
$ro$o!ed a Doint lnar $rogra0 to t2e So%iet Cnion. -2e $ro$o!al 3a! not ent2!ia!ti)ally
re)ei%ed 5y 42r!2)2e%. Fn 9ly 20, 1*6*, al0o!t !i8 year! a"ter 2i! deat2, A$ollo7! goal 3a!
reali<ed 32en A0eri)an! landed on t2e Moon.
(. +aination
Pre!ident 4ennedy 3a! a!!a!!inated in /alla!, -e8a!, at 12:30 $.0. on ,o%e05er
22, 1*63, 32ile on a $oliti)al tri$ to -e8a! to !0oot2 o%er "a)tion! in t2e /e0o)rati) Party
5et3een li5eral! #al$2 ?ar5orog2 and /on ?ar5orog2 and )on!er%ati%e 9o2n +onnally. He
3a! !2ot on)e in t2e $$er 5a)6 and 3a! 6illed 3it2 a "inal !2ot to t2e 2ead. He 3a!
$ronon)ed dead at 1:00 $.0.
Fnly 46, Pre!ident 4ennedy died yonger t2an any C.S. $re!ident. >ee Har%ey
F!3ald, an e0$loyee o" t2e -e8a! S)2ool .oo6 /e$o!itory "ro0 32i)2 t2e !2ot! 3ere
!!$e)ted to 2a%e 5een "ired, 3a! arre!ted on )2arge! "or t2e 0rder o" a lo)al $oli)e o""i)er
and 3a! !5!e@ently )2arged 3it2 t2e a!!a!!ination o" 4ennedy. He denied !2ooting anyone,
)lai0ing 2e 3a! a $at!y, 5t 3a! 6illed 5y 9a)6 #5y on ,o%e05er 24, 5e"ore 2e )old 5e
indi)ted or tried. #5y 3a! t2en arre!ted and )on%i)ted "or t2e 0rder o" F!3ald. #5y
!))e!!"lly a$$ealed 2i! )on%i)tion and deat2 !enten)e 5t 5e)a0e ill and died o" )an)er on 3
9anary 1*6& 32ile t2e date "or 2i! ne3 trial 3a! 5eing !et.
6

!K$ ac&ie$ and the Connallys in the
Presidential limousine 2efore the
assassination
Fn ,o%e05er 25, 1*63, 9o2n (. 4ennedy7! 5ody 3a! 5ried in a !0all $lot, N20 5y
30 "t.O, in Arlington ,ational +e0etery. F%er a $eriod o" 3 year!, N1*64M1*66O, 16 0illion
$eo$le 2ad %i!ited 2i! gra%e. Fn Mar)2 14, 1*6&, 4ennedy7! 5ody 3a! 0o%ed to a $er0anent
5rial $lot and 0e0orial at Arlington ,ational +e0etery. -2e "neral 3a! 2eld 5y (at2er 9o2n
9 +a%anag2. -2e 2onor gard at 9(4P! gra%e!ide 3a! t2e 3&t2 +adet +la!! o" t2e Iri!2 Ar0y.
9(4 3a! greatly i0$re!!ed 5y t2e Iri!2 +adet! on 2i! la!t o""i)ial %i!it to t2e #e$5li) o"
Ireland, !o 0)2 !o t2at 9a)6ie 4ennedy re@e!ted t2e Iri!2 Ar0y to 5e t2e 2onor gard at t2e
"neral.
ohn !it/gerald Kennedy memorial issue of 1966
6
/alle6, #o5ert. 'n 7nfinished 8ife4 ohn !" Kennedy$ 1919:1963, >ittle .ro3n and +o0$any, 2003, $age 134
13
=. Concluion
Pre!ident 4ennedy7! deat2 )a!ed dee$ !adne!! and grie" a)ro!! t2e
Cnited State! and arond t2e 3orld. Many $eo$le !till re0e05er e8a)tly 32ere
t2ey 3ere and 32at t2ey 3ere doing 32en t2ey 2eard t2e ne3!. Hndred! o"
t2o!and! o" $eo$le gat2ered in Aa!2ington "or t2e $re!ident7! "neral and
0illion! 3at)2ed it on tele%i!ion.
-o 0any A0eri)an!, 9o2n 4ennedy 3a! an in!$iring leader, a
!tate!0an and an e""e)ti%e $re!ident. Many $eo$le re!$e)t 2i! )oolne!! in a
)ri!i!, !)2 a! t2e )onte!t o" 3ill! 3it2 t2e So%iet Cnion o%er n)lear 0i!!ile! in
+5a. Ft2er! ad0ire 2i! a5ility to !tir $eo$le 3it2 2i! elo@ent !$ee)2e! and
re0e05er t2e "la!2e! o" 3it at 2i! ne3! )on"eren)e!. Still ot2er! t2in6 2i!
3illingne!! to "ig2t "or ne3 go%ern0ent $rogra0! to 2el$ t2e $oor, t2e elderly
and t2e ill 3ere 0o!t i0$ortant. He 3anted t2e Cnited State! to 0o%e "or3ard
3it2 ne3 di!)o%erie! in !)ien)e and i0$ro%e0ent! in ed)ation, e0$loy0ent
and ot2er "ield! and 2o$ed to !$read de0o)ra)y and "reedo0 arond t2e 3orld.
14
,ibliogra*hy
.rner, /a%id. ohn !" Kennedy and a *e+ ,eneration, .o!ton: S)ott, (ore!0an and +o.,
1*''
+ollier, Peter B Horo3it<, /a%id. The Kennedys, 1n)onter .oo6!, 1*'4
/alle6, #o5ert. 'n 7nfinished 8ife4 ohn !" Kennedy$ 1919:1963, >ittle .ro3n and
+o0$any, 2003
Man)2e!ter, Aillia0. Portrait of a President4 ohn !" Kennedy in Profile, >ittle .ro3n B
+o0$any, 1*6&
F7.rien, Mi)2ael. ohn !" Kennedy4 ' 5iography, -2o0a! /nne .oo6!, 2005
#ee%e!, #i)2ard. President Kennedy4 Profile of Po+er, Si0on B S)2!ter, 1**3
333.en.3i6i$edia.org
333.32ite2o!e.go%
15