John F. KennedyHis Life and Challenges

JFK’s early life.

• Born to a wealthy family in Brookline, Mass. on May 17th 1917.• Father Joseph had been Ambassador of Britain.• Graduated from Harvard in 1940 and entered the US Navy.• In August 1943, his PT boat 109 was rammed and sunk by

Japanese destroyer.• Despite serious injuries he led his crew to safety through

dangerous waters off the Solomon Islands.• His heroic actions won him the Naval and Marine Corps

Medal.

Early political life

• Back from the war, Kennedy became the Democrat representative for the Boston area.• In 1953 Kennedy advanced to the Senate.• During his time as Senator, suffered severe spinal

problems needing several operations.• While in hospital wrote ‘Profiles in Courage’ which won

him the Pulitzer Prize in 1957.• Became democrat Presidential representative in July

1960, beating challenges from (including others) Lyndon B. Johnson.

• Between JFK and Republican candidate R. Nixon.• 1st campaign to include live television debates.• Debates now considered a turning point in US political

history as TV began to play a dominant role in politics.• On 8th Nov. 1960, Kennedy beat Nixon in one of the

closest elections of the 20th century.• In the popular vote Kennedy led by 49.7% to Nixon’s

49.5%. A difference of a little over 100,000 votes.

The 1960 Presidential Election

The Kennedy ‘Mystique’

• People were completely taken with JFK.• His youthful optimism won a huge number of votes.• His inauguration speech (20/1/60) is still one of the

greatest of all time. • He spoke of the need for all Americans to be active

citizens, famously saying, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." He asked the nations of the world to join together to fight what he called the "common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself".

Kennedy: Global Challenges

•The US confrontation with the USSR reached its peak during Kennedy’s Presidency.•Extended the policy of ‘CONTAINMENT’ of communism on a global scale.• Initiated many new programs to combat the spread of communism.

Kennedy’s Containment Policies

1) The Peace Corps (1961): Young people sent to poor areas around the world to teach English, improve water supplies and give medical aid. Main objective: • …that American generosity and help for the Third World

would stop these states looking to communism for help.2) Food For Peace: surplus agricultural products were given to Third World countries.3) Military build-up: Kennedy promised to create a flexible military able to respond to any threat from nuclear to guerilla. Military budget increased by 15% in 1961.

Kennedy’s Containment Policies

4) The Berlin Wall: Built by USSR in 1961 to stop East Berliners leaving for the political and economic freedoms of the West.• Came to symbolize the oppression of communism

throughout the free world.5) Ban on atmospheric testing: Despite increased spending, JFK set up the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, signing a Test Ban Treaty with the USSR in 1963. • Also banned nuclear testing in the atmosphere, under

water and in space.

The Bay Of Pigs.

• Kennedy inherited and approved Eisenhower’s plan to invade Cuba, insight a revolution against Castro.• Castro had formed links with Soviet Union and had

nationalized many US businesses in Cuba.• A group of CIA trained and led Cuban exiles (La Brigada)

landed at the Bay of Pigs in southern Cuba on 17th April 1963, only 3 months into JFK’s presidency.• The mission was a DISASTER…

The failure of the Bay of Pigs.• Why did the mission fail?1) La Brigada’s boat into a coral reef.2) Kennedy refused to authorize air support, claiming it would

lead to possible war.3) The uprising against Castro never happened4) Within 2 days Castro had captured/killed ALL of the

invaders.5) Kennedy forced to give Cuba $53m of food/medicine to

release prisoners.6) Huge embarrassment for Kennedy administration. Kennedy

said:• "We got a big kick in the leg and we deserved it. But maybe

we'll learn something from it."

The Cuban Missile Crisis, October 1962: Introduction

• Following Bay of Pigs, Castro looks to USSR to offer protection against future US invasion/attacks. • Castro also required Soviet investment to rebuild ruined economy.• USSR willing to aid Cuba, offering protection to a close ally, while it’s proximity would allow Soviet missiles to hit every major US city. • seen as a response to US placement of missiles in Turkey and Italy.

The Cuban Missile Crisis: The main events.

14th October: US U-2 spy plane

photographs missile sites on Cuba

16th October: First meeting of EXCOM

committee of military/politicians to

discuss response.

18th October: Kennedy meets with

Soviet foreign minister, Gromyko. Soviets say they are just offering Cuba

defence help.

Decision time…

•What should Kennedy do?

•You are the EXCOM committee, your

options are…

1. Do nothing and allow the missiles to be put on Cuba

2. Airstrike on the Cuban missile sites to ensure that they could not fire any nuclear

weapons

3. Invade Cuba and ensure that it can never be used for such a site

4. Blockade Cuba with US warships to block any Soviet ships from entering Cuba with the

nuclear weapons

5. Start a nuclear attack on Cuba and if necessary the Soviet Union

Kennedy’s Options Positive Negative

Do nothing and allow the missiles to be put on Cuba

• Avoids war • Still got missiles in

Turkey

• USA would be in danger of attack

• JFK look weak – SU would have won

Airstrike on the Cuban missile sites to ensure that they could not fire any nuclear weapons

• No missiles on Cuba• JFK look like strong

leader

• Loss of life• Start a war – SU could

attack in Europe (Berlin) – start a nuclear war

• Cuba could rebuild sites

Invade Cuba and the country over to ensure that it can never be used for such a site

• No missiles in Cuba• You get rid of threat

for good – kill Castro• Show JFK strength

• Could start a World War – you are being aggressive

• Could be large number of US casualties – might fail

Blockade Cuba with US warships to block any Soviet ships from entering Cuba with the nuclear weapons

• Stop any missiles from getting to Cuba

• Not starting a war – making the SU make the next move

• If it works JFK look strong

• Relying on no missiles on Cuba already

• Still leave the problem in Cuba – Castro still there

• Relying on SU to turn back

Start a nuclear attack on Cuba and if necessary the Soviet Union

• Destroy the known world – SU and Cuba would be destroyed

• Would have started the most destructive war in world history.

The Cuban Missile Crisis: The main events.

22nd October: Kennedy announces crisis on TV, along with intention to BLOCKADE Soviet

ships heading for Cuba.

23rd October: Kennedy bans

boarding of Soviet ships. US intelligence says missiles ready

by 26th.

24th October: Soviet ships going to Cuba

have missiles onboard, Soviet

nuclear submarines in the Caribbean.

Decision time…

•What should Khrushchev do?

•You are in the Kremlin advising the Russian Premier on his next move…

1. Turn Soviet ships back

2. Tell ships to continue on their present course – call America’s bluff

3. Try and do a deal with JFK – missiles in Cuba for missiles in Turkey

4. Invade Berlin to create a distraction

5. Support ships with submarines in the area – do not turn back

Khrushchev’s Options

Positive Negative

Turn Soviet ships back

• Avoid War• Seen as a peacemaker

• Seen as weak• Castro still in danger • US still have missiles in

Turkey

Tell ships to continue on their present course –

call America’s bluff

• Seen as strong• JFK would have to start

war

• Could be war• If stopped still no missiles

on Cuba

Try and do a deal with JFK –

missiles in Cuba for missiles in

Turkey

• No war• Seen as a peacemaker • It makes SU safer – SU

will lose nothing

• Still not got missiles in Cuba• Castro still in danger• Relying on JFK to do a deal

Invade Berlin to create a

distraction

• Seen as strong• Might get missiles into

Cuba

• Nuclear war

Support ships with submarines in the area – do not turn back

• Seen as strong• JFK start war

• Could lead to war • If stopped, no missiles in

Cuba

The Cuban Missile Crisis: The main events.

25th October: At the UN, US Ambassador Stevenson confronts Soviet ambassador

with evidence of missiles. Missiles reday to be fired within 5 hours.

27th October: U-2 spy plane shot down over Cuba. US

military demands invasion as reprisal.

28th October: Kennedy holds his nerve. Khrushchev agrees to remove

missiles if US agrees not to invade Cuba.

Secret deal also sees USA remove missiles

from Turkey.

The Cuban Missile Crisis: The Consequences

• The Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world the closest it had ever been to nuclear war.

• It also pushed the two countries to learn to work together. As the White house-Kremlin HOTLINE is set up.

• In August of 1963 the USA and the Soviet Union finally came together to ban the testing of nuclear weapons.

• In addition many historians argue that the crisis persuaded Kennedy that PEACE was the only choice.

• Khrushchev viewed as weak in the USSR and was replaced in 1964 by Brezhnev: a new leader who was committed to building up Soviet military and weapons.

• The USA also engaged in a weaponry build up which lasted until the 1980’s to match Brezhnev’s build-up.