Issue #1: Foreign Policy
John F. Kennedy desired to make major changes to the American foreign policy. He wanted to leave behind the policy of letting communism remain and make better relations with the Soviets, so there would be less violence. The Soviets 'bully' behavior toward Berlin and Cuba made him change his mind. With the summit in Vienna with Khruschev (1961), JFK made it clear that any treaty that would meddle with U.S. access rights in West Berlin would be considered as an act of war. Soon after the Kennedy got back to the States, the U.S.S.R. proclaimed that they were planning on treating East Berlin. Regardless of any third party residency rights in either section of the city. JFK was infuriated and distressed by this. He was forced to prepare his land for nuclear war. He knew this was a possibility and had a one of five chance of actually occurring. Instantly after the announcement of the Soviets, East Berlin citizens rushed to West Berlin. Kennedy made a decision soon that an attack on West Berlin would be seen as an attack on the United States. Shortly after the Soviets and East Berlin officers embarked on continuing to interdict the entrance of East Berliners. Thus the Berlin Wall was created. Kennedy's primary reaction to this was ignoring it (as long as the access of East Berliners to West Berlin continued). But when the West Berliners started loosing faith in the position of their defense by the United States, Kennedy delegated VP Johnson and military to reassure the West Berliners. Another drastic change came to the area of Third-World relations in the foreign policy. Kennedy believed in assisting third-world countries. He put his beliefs in action by supplying the third-world with financial aid and U.S. volunteers and contributors in the appearance of Peace Corps.
Issue #2: Dealing with the Soviets and use of Weaponry
Unlike former presidents, such as Truman and Eisenhower, Kennedy had faith in that the two superpowers, U.S. and Soviet Union, could co-exist peacefully.The reason for believing this could be possible because Nikita Khrushchev had been emancipating his Soviet society. Khrushchev completely let go of the idea of Stalinism. Kennedy wanted to cease the use and construction of arms rather than gain more of them. He offered Khrushchev to have a meeting with on the topic of arms control, maybe even disarmament. The Soviets took this proposition as a indication of feebleness. Kennedy was greatly upset. Instead The Soviet Union began behaving pushy against in Berlin, Europe and Cuba, Latin America. The Soviets had made a mistake. Kennedy's reply to this was: "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 success of liberty." In 1962, JFK came back to nuclear weaponry and U.S.S.R., laboring to stop Soviet bellicosity and encase Soviet Union's influence. The only tangible outcome (which was also beneficial) of Kennedy's expenditures was the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty signed in 1963. This treaty forbid the testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere. Post signing the treaty JFK said: "Today the fear is little less and the hope a little greater. For the first time we have been able to reach an agreement which can limit the dangers of this nuclear age."
Issue #3: Peace Corps-Helping the Third World
Kennedy felt that the United States and him were obliged to help the Third World economically and spread democracy to each of those countries. JFK then to make this possible created Peace Corps in 1961. Peace Corps sent U.S. volunteers to third-world countries so they could assist in build roads and hospitals, and to help educate citizens around the world.
Issue #4: Bay of Pigs
The Bay of Pigs was a huge loss and disappointment to the Kennedy administration. Prior to the presidency of JFK, President Eisenhower made a plot to overthrow the rule of Fidel Castro. The main plan was led by the CIA with assistance from the U.S. military. On April 17th, 1961 Kennedy ordered the continuation of the plan. This plan was an aid to those Cuban exiles whose country was trapped in communism in 1959. The U.S. supplied training, support, and logics to Cubans to help re-capture their country. 15,000 U.S. Cubans called Brigade 2025 came back to the island in hopes of deposing Castro and winning back their country. In the previous plot there were no U.S. air force. By April 19th, 1961, the Cuban government had interned or killed the exiles. The Bay of Pigs Invasion failed disastrously. Kennedy was then forced to negotiate the release of the 1,189 exiles. So post 20 months Cuba released the exiles for 53 million dollars worth provisions and medication. Kennedy focused on the political repercussions of this plan and was convinced the plan was made to make him look bad. He ended up taking the blame himself. When the invasion failed, Cuba went to The Soviet Union. The Soviets were quite eager to provide help to Cuba. Khrushchev was in search for an ally in Latin America. A huge opportunity came up for U.S.S.R: While the missiles in U.S. were faced for The Soviet Union, the Soviets could put their missiles facing U.S. in Cuba. What a good opportunity and so close to U.S.
Issue #5: The Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a historical moment for the Kennedy administration and U.S. On October 16th, 1962 The U.S. Intelligence and CIA planes went over Cuba and saw the missiles. They took photographs of it and showed it to Kennedy. The Air Force wanted to attack the sites and call on an invasion. Kennedy was fearful that that would lead to a world war, so instead he set up a blockade of Cuba. Kennedy swore that Soviet vessels headed to Cuba transporting missiles would not be permitted through the blockade. Also, JFK proclaimed that the Soviets get rid of their bases and weaponry from Cuba. At last minute, Soviets retreated and backed off. The Soviets afterward consented to withdraw the missiles and their bases from Cuba. Later the U.S. promised not to raid the land. World War was narrowly averted. President Kennedy was highly praised for this and Khrushchev lost his position because of it.
Issue #6: The Civil Rights
There was buckets of racism in the States then and Kennedy wanted to end it all. He knew how much of a commotion this would cause, especially southern U.S. But JFK changed that with The Civil Rights Act of 1964. In his inaugural address Kennedy promised he would end racism and discrimination. During his presidency he appointed many African-Americans to office. No president had ever thought of this in the past, forget about going through with this. This was an outrageous act done by the president and of course many were displeased. When he did sign this act, equity didn't start to show. People were still afraid. He was assassinated on November,1963 in Texas. A year later it finally passed. Probably because of this Kennedy was killed.
Issue #7: Involvement in the Vietnam War
When JFK became president, the U.S. was already occupied in the Vietnam matters. President Eisenhower promised the security of South Vietnam. Eisenhower had sent military and economic assistance , including U.S. military advisors. Kennedy increased U.S. involvement. South Vietnam was fighting against the communist North Vietnam. Kennedy knew that North Vietnam had to be ended, so he delivered more U.S. forces there.
There are many more issues I could go on about but the reason I wrote these main points is because these were the main highlights of John F. Kennedy's presidency. These decisions, attempts, victories, and failures have had a major impact on American government and society. These Kennedy Era was highly influential and without them America might not be the super power it is today.
Sources:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy
- http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112391/jfk.htm
- http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/examining-the-presidency-of-john-f-kennedy.html
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