Study this picture: Who? Where? What? This is Lyndon B. Johnson being sworn in as President on Air Force One. Why? When?

Two hours earlier, JFK had been shot dead as his car drove through Dallas.

The nation was horrified at this picture of recently widowed Jackie Kennedy watching the ceremony. Her clothes were still stained with the blood of her dead husband.

Upon hearing of JFK's assassination, the nation and world went into a period of shocked mourning. While Lyndon Johnson took the oath of office, a twenty-four-year-old ex-Marine named Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested for the murder.

Two days later, Oswald was shot by a Dallas nightclub owner named Jack Ruby.

President Johnson ordered an investigation President Johnson ordered an investigation. It was headed by Earl Warren. The "Warren Commission" Report, not published until September of 1964, concluded that Oswald was almost certainly the only gunman, and "found no evidence" that the killer "was part of any conspiracy, domestic or foreign, to assassinate President Kennedy."

Nevertheless, JFK's assassination has become a breeding ground for conspiracy theories, implicating everyone. Speculation still continues day.

JFK’s Legacy Key Words: Kennedy New Frontier President How did Kennedy’s death affect America, and did he achieve the ‘New Frontier’ he hoped for?

Which is the most plausible theory – why? Who did it? Theories: 1 – Fidel Castro the Cuban leader as retaliation for The Bay of Pigs and revenge for the Missile Crisis when Castro felt let down by Russia. 2 – The Mafia – JFK’s brother Robert was the Attorney General and was on a crusade to curb Mafia business. 3 – The Military Arms Complex – Very powerful business men who did not want Kennedy to pull out of Vietnam – war was money! 4 – His own people – The CIA were worried that Kennedy was soft on Communism and organised the hit so that the much tougher Lyndon Johnson could be sworn in. Which is the most plausible theory – why?

JFK is remembered by many Americans as being a young, vibrant and one of the greatest Presidents of all time. However, historians disagree over whether or not he deserves this legacy.

How do you think these images would affect the way Americans remembered JFK?

The New Frontier In his acceptance speech as Democratic Candidate in 1960 John F. Kennedy promised the American people a ‘New Frontier’.  

“We stand at the edge of a New Frontier – the frontier of unfulfilled hopes and dreams. It will deal with unsolved problems of peace and war, unconquered pockets of ignorance and prejudice, unanswered questions of poverty and surplus.” - Kennedy

Was Kennedy a good president? Good points: He gave hope and belief to the younger generations who felt politics had nothing to do with them. He was a war hero (Korea) and always seemed to ‘rise to the occasion’. He averted a nuclear holocaust over Cuba, and signed the first nuclear test ban treaties.

Kennedy inspired Americans – thousands joined the Peace Corps initiative and many other charitable organisations. He spoke out for black Americans and increased the profile of Civil Rights Campaigners. His attitude paved the way for the wide ranging changes brought in by the man who followed him – Lyndon B. Johnson. What would you say was Kennedy’s greatest achievement?

Failures Kennedy was too easily persuaded to follow other people’s ideas – e.g. The Bay of Pigs. He never actually did anything concrete to change laws and fight racism or segregation. He was a chronic womaniser who had many adulterous affairs. He began the war in Vietnam. He used intimidation and illegal wiretaps against his political enemies. John F. Kennedy was not the President people think he was. Discuss. (8 marks)

John F. Kennedy was not the President people think he was. Discuss John F. Kennedy was not the President people think he was. Discuss. (8 marks) Remember! Good Points Bad Points Conclusion

Discussion Point: Do you think Kennedy would have been so revered if he had not died young? Can you think of any other people whose untimely death has influenced how they are remembered?