Sarah Stone Professor Ferrari 10 April 2012 John F. Kennedy Even before John Fitzgerald Kennedy began his presidency in 1961, he viewed foreign policy as one of the most important aspects of our lives. In one speech he said, “Foreign policy today, irrespective of what we might wish, in its impact on our daily lives, overshadows everything else. Expenditures, taxation, domestic prosperity, the extent of social sciences — all hinge on the basic issue of war or peace” (JFK Library). As the first president born in the 20th century, the youngest president to be elected to office, and the youngest president to die in office, John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s time in office was brief, but full of difficult challenges in foreign affairs. I feel that he …show more content…
I admire Kennedy’s optimism in the possibility of compromising with the Soviets, but I also feel that he needed to be stronger and more direct with them. Kennedy’s structure of foreign policy was much different from Eisenhower’s foreign policy. During the Eisenhower years, America had a detailed national security structure, with a “massive retaliation” idea, while Kennedy was more informal, with his “flexible answer”, which I think fit his New Frontier model. After the rigid structure of Eisenhower, Kennedy and his advisors wanted a new, less formal way of dealing with international affairs. He was an activist, who was very popular with generations both young and old, and I think that he brought a new idea of informality to the way the White House worked. For example, he preferred to work directly with the officers in the Department of State, and he relied on his assistant for national security affairs, McGeorge Bundy, instead of the usual Operations Coordinating Board. In dealing with crises, and seeking advice, Kennedy had a small number of close advisors that were also his friends, one of which was his brother Robert Kennedy, the attorney general (Miller Center). Very early in Kennedy’s presidency he had his first major conflict in foreign affairs in the Bay of Pigs, which ended in disaster. He was told of a secret plan
The Kennedy administration foreign policies were less rigid and had an ideological approach. His policies displayed and promoted ‘Liberalism, Diplomacy and Military action’. His Foreign policies were popularly
Thirty-fifth President of the United States of America, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, in his Inaugural Address loosens up his audience with the explanation and addressment of the Cold War evoking our nation. Kennedy’s purpose is to elaborate to his citizen’s that as we fight against issues affecting our nation, we will not stand alone. He creates an informative tone in order to convey to his readers the ideas that these battles are inevitable but we cannot conquer anything we put our minds to.
Kennedy had many accomplishments during his short presidency. One of these accomplishments was in regards to the Cuban Missile Crisis. He played a lead role in figuring out how to settle this with the Soviet Union. He also abolished the federal death penalty in 1962. He initiated Project Apollo which ended up accomplishing landing the first humans on the moon between 1969-1972!
On October 22 JFK announced that the Soviets had long range missiles in Cuba, which posed a dangerous threat to the United States. Kennedy ordered a naval blockade to stop Soviets from delivering more missiles. The Soviets on the other hand were heading right for the blockade and Americans prepared for war. Kennedy and the Soviets had secret negotiations were at the end the Soviets offered a deal. The deal was the Soviets would remove missiles from Cuba if the US promised to not invade Cuba and they had to remove their missiles from Turkey. On October 28 both Kennedy and Khrushchev came to an agreement because neither one wanted nuclear war. Kennedy’s quick thinking and his willingness to negotiate with the Soviets was the only reason the US was able to avoid going to nuclear war. Kennedy after the Cuban missile crisis had many ideas that he wished to implicate but sadly he was assassinated before he could do
Kennedy’s inaugural speech had a bigger historical impact because it brought immediate change. Kennedy made a statement that clearly resembled the tone he wanted to set for our nation’s foreign affairs: “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.” This evidence shows the willingness that Kennedy had to do whatever it took to preserve and protect civil liberties, and to defend our freedom as well as the freedom of allied nations. With his famous words,” Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.” With these words, Kennedy sparks a sense of nationalism in the hearts of citizens. The well-being of the United States is the primary importance, and the idea that any problem that mankind encounters could be resolved, or at least a solution could be
John F. Kennedy was elected during the Cold War which was fought between the United States and the Soviet Union. Citizens of the United States needed a leader while communism was spreading and dangerous weapons were being manufactured. Kennedy’s inaugural address was delivered on January 20th, 1961 in Washington, D.C. Kennedy envisioned bringing peace with other countries and uniting democratic countries to conquer communism. He dreams of bringing enemies together and creating a global alliance. Kennedy provides appeal to patriotism, appeal to religion, parallelism and antithesis to express unity and peace.
Importantly, President John F. Kennedy policy on foreign helped make a great president. According to Bureau of Public Affair, “Kennedy’s foreign Policy”, Kennedy’s formed alliance with Latin America to help poor women and man that suffer from hunger and poverty. The United State hoped that Latin America will make the countries stronger. Next, Kennedy’s began American involvement with Vietnam. He’s getting involved because he received conflict advice from Vietnam. South Vietnam had a war about the Geneva Accord into Communist North Vietnam but not south. Kennedy’s goal is to containing communism so he supported South Vietnam and expand the military. And then American war in Vietnam was over because North Vietnam captured the capital city of Saigon. Now one of Kennedy’s important foreign policy
“And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country.” John F. Kennedy said this famous quote in his inauguration speech on January 20, 1961. In his speech and during his campaign, he ensured the country that he would create stellar polices. His youthfulness brought hope to the country for a new age. This created confidence in his leadership and direction for the country. With this support behind him, he came into the presidency ready to influence change, in order for the country to thrive. In fact, the domestic policies he instilled did just this and if he had more time to gain knowledge on the Presidency, he could have made his foreign policies into great ones.
Kennedy’s presidency at first was not going as well as many people had hoped for. Kennedy’s New Frontier goal was to re energize the sense of national pride. Kennedy won the election because of his charisma and speaking ability. He also appeared to the younger audience and the white house was called Camelot. His early failures came from the Bay of Pigs invasion and the building of the Berlin Wall. Both of the situations Kennedy’s main goal was to contain the spread of Communism. Kennedy is most know for the Cuban Missile Crisis, where he saved the world from nuclear annihilation. He handled this possible threat of war well and also
Elected at age 43 as the 35th president, John was the youngest as well as the very first catholic to be in office. While president, John helped out the country in many ways. One of these ways is the way he dealt with the Cold War. The Cold War was a product of the US and the Soviet Union not trusting each other, this very easily could've ended in Nuclear Warfare but Kennedy managed to prevent it. He had to deal with other issues such as the Berlin Wall and the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, but he was always smart and looked for the way of peace and not violence. Kennedy then created the Peace Corps, which is still in use today. This allows men and women to volunteer to go around the world to help where it is needed. By 1970 over 170,000 people helped out in 135 countries. Another thing John had to struggle with was the fight for civil rights. But, in 1964, congress passed a bill that Kennedy sent to congress after a MLK speech, a bill known as the Civil Rights Acts of 1964. In November Kennedy flew down to Dallas to make an appearance. This is when the unbelievable, the unthinkable, had
The impacts of Kennedys choices against the Soviets did not just create changes in his political life, but his personal one as well. During the Cold War he and the vice president Lyndon B. Johnson, both promised the country they would keep a tough act on the Soviets, and
Without the precise and cautious actions of President Kennedy the World as we know it today may not exist. One of the many ironies of the crisis is how uninformed the public was of the boiling situation, until the President addressed the nation on the night of October 22nd. America watched as President Kennedy spoke sternly yet eloquently about the possible days ahead, publicly warning the Soviet and Cuban leaders of the retaliations that would inevitably follow if not resolved properly. United States Foreign Policy thrived at that very moment because of the monumental effect the President’s words had on the entire
For this reason, I would like to investigate the extent to which John F. Kennedy’s decision-making process changed from the Bay of Pigs Invasion to the Cuban Missile crisis during his presidency. I chose the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis because the first is an event in John. F. Kennedy’s presidency before he gained experience from this job and the latter is an event from after he was acquainted with the presidential role.
Because he was the youngest president at the time and the election results were close he uses a lot of ethos to build his character. Kennedy gives himself a benevolent likable side by telling people who are “struggling to break the bonds of mass misery” that he will lead the United States to help them. In contrast to this he also gives himself credibility of strength by stating that under his leadership the United States will do anything necessary to “assure the survival and success of liberty”. Using quotes from the Bible and referencing God, Kennedy furthers his ethos and backs up his ideas as well. He also gains more ethos by including himself with the people in his statements to show that he doesn’t view himself as better than them.
“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. This much we pledge - and more."1 The United States of America has always been an important moving force in world history, and the 1961 presidency was but another testament to American astuteness. John Fitzgerald Kennedy, an inspirational president, gave his inaugural address on a wintry and white January day, speaking of American values and courageousness. This inaugural address establishes what Kennedy plans to do while he is in office, and shows how he desires to unite and improve the country. John F. Kennedy effectively uses rhetorical