Life of JFK the Life Term Paper

Total Length: 836 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 3

Page 1 of 3

576). He proved to be an astute campaigner for the nomination in 1960, particularly in his use of television, most notably in a decisive debate against Republican challenger Richard M. Nixon. Kennedy selected Lyndon B. Johnson from Texas as his running mate, an old-style politician and majority leader of the senate. Despite the tremendous differences of personality between the two men, Kennedy knew he needed to win the South, and also wished to diffuse the influence the Texas politician had amongst his senate colleagues. Kennedy won by fewer than 120,000 votes out of nearly 70 million votes cast in the entire country. Some Protestant Democrats were still leery of the papal influence upon a Catholic president (Brauer 1984, p. 578). The 43-year-old president and his glamorous wife and young children quickly won over the American public, along with his skillful use of press conferences and his stirring inaugural address: "(Brauer 2002, p. 580).

Some of Kennedy's achievements during his administration, such as his use of federal troops to ensure the admission of African-American James Meredith into the University of Mississippi, and protecting civil rights demonstrators in Birmingham, are notable, as is his establishment of the Peace Corps (Brauer 1984: 581). However, it took Johnson's political acumen and the public sentiment after Kennedy's death to pass landmark Civil Rights legislation in the largely hostile U.S.
House of Representatives and Senate. Regarding foreign affairs, Kennedy's restrained handling of the negotiations of the Cuban Missile Crisis and creating the foundation detente with the U.S.S.R. were counterbalanced with his refusal to stop the CIA-sponsored Bay of Pigs invasion that he did not instigate, but occurred, soon after his ascent to office. He also escalated American involvement in Vietnam. Overall, in the years "after John F. Kennedy was assassinated, a public opinion poll indicated that he was rated best overall of the nine presidents since Herbert Hoover...Political scientists, historians, and national journalists have on the whole tended to view Kennedy less favorably than has the general public. Some experts hold Kennedy in high regard, but others are extremely critical of him. A significant number probably agree that his promise outstripped his performance and that he left an ambiguous legacy" (Brauer 1984, p. 573).

Works.....

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Life Of JFK The Life" (2008, May 16) Retrieved July 3, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/life-jfk-life-29806

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Life Of JFK The Life" 16 May 2008. Web.3 July. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/life-jfk-life-29806>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Life Of JFK The Life", 16 May 2008, Accessed.3 July. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/life-jfk-life-29806