1. John F. Kennedy Before the Presidency

2. JFK: The early years Born May 29, 1917 in Boston, MA (2 nd of 9 children) Son of Joseph Kennedy (Wealthy politician) & Rose Fitzgerald (Daughter of the political boss of Boston) Extremely Sick Child Attends Harvard

3. Kennedy Family Connection Kennedy family ambition: PRESIDENCY JFK is not the 1 st choice Joe Kennedy Democrat Supporter of the New Deal Holds many offices Ties to Appeasement

4. JFK: In the War With the outbreak of WWII, Kennedy wants to join the military Denied from Army, Joins the Navy PT Boat Commander PT 109 Heavily Decorated Loses older brother, Joseph

5. JFK: ENTERS POLITICS After war, unsure what career path to choose Following death of Joseph, he is looked to as the Kennedy standard-bearer Runs for Congress in 1946 Elected in a landslide

6. JFK: POLITICAL RISE Runs for Senate in 1952 Defeats incumbent Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. Political Views Strong anti-communist Weak on Civil Rights McCarthy Writes Profiles in Courage (1958)

7. JFK: THE MAN Extremely ill Suffers from a wide variety of illnesses Affairs Extremely hard-working and energetic Relied on trusted advisors