How is JFK remembered?

EQ: To what extent did JFK’s image outshine the reality?

The Image

Televised debates How important is one’s appearance/ability to effectively communicate in politics? In other fields?

Wife Jacqueline

9 dogs

Camelot “There’ll be great presidents again… but there’ll never be another Camelot." Jackie Kennedy “I felt as though I were inside a golden coach drawn by four pure-bred white horses into the glitter of mythic Camelot.“ Isaac Stern on meeting JFK

Assassination Nov. 22, 1963 Dallas, TX Lee Harvey Oswald Warren Commission WC – 3 shots, 1 assassin

The Reality

Domestic policy…

“New Frontier” “We stand on the edge of a New Frontier…Beyond that frontier are uncharted areas of science and space, unsolved problems of peace and war, unconquered problems of ignorance and prejudice, unanswered questions of poverty and surplus.”

New Frontier plans Wanted to expand govt role: Wanted tax cut Unemployment benefits $ to education Expansion of healthcare services Civil rights Wanted tax cut Inability to win support from (Democratic) Congress Small victories ex. moderate increase to min. wage Most plans passed under LBJ!

Civil Rights address – June 11, 1963 According to this speech, what are JFK’s view on civil rights?

Civil Rights 1960 campaign call Little action until forced 1962 James Meredith  1963 University of Alabama Introduced legislation late in presidency CRA passed by LBJ

Opposition from big business 1962 steel crisis JFK forced rollback of price increases

Increased spending on defense and space exploration “I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth.” JFK, May 25, 1961  July 16, 1969 moon landing!

Peace Corps (1961) Volunteer program Purpose: “To promote world peace and friendship through a Peace Corps, which shall make available to interested countries and areas men and women of the United States qualified for service abroad and willing to serve, under conditions of hardship if necessary, to help the peoples of such countries and areas in meeting their needs for trained manpower.” “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country”

Foreign policy…

“Flexible response” to combat communism Increased spending on army and navy & mobile military units Aid & “advisers” sent to South Vietnam By 1963 16,000+ troops

Bay of Pigs invasion (1961) CIA plot to use Cuban exiles to overthrow Castro Big failure.

Berlin Wall (1961 – 1989)

West Berlin Speech – June 26, 1963 “Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in, to prevent them from leaving us. I want to say, on behalf of my countrymen…that they take the greatest pride that they have been able to share with you, even from a distance, the story of the last 18 years. I know of no town, no city, that has been besieged for 18 years that still lives with the vitality and the force, and the hope and the determination of the city of West Berlin. All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and, therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’." 2:25

1962 Cuban Missile Crisis Soviet missiles found in Cuba! 14 day standoff Naval “quarantine” Agreement: Missiles removal No invasion Private agreement to remove missiles in Turkey 1963 Partial Test Ban Treaty! Should JFK be praised for actions?

Scandals!

EQ: To what extent did JFK’s image outshine the reality? What areas was JFK successful? Unsuccessful?