The Tragedy Of John F. Kennedy

“Fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” These very memorable words were uttered by John F. Kennedy during his inaugural address to the nation. He said this with his utmost presidential goal in mind, to get America moving again. JFK stuck to that goal until could not longer, when he was tragically assassinated by former marine, Lee Harvey Oswald. Despite this, Kennedy showed that he was truly a game changing figure of the 1960s because of his great appeal to the nation, his nearly perfect handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and all of his advances towards the Civil Rights Movement.

John F Kennedy was a long-shot to win in the election of 1960. Kennedy was born 1917, was raised in a strict catholic family and a charismatic candidate. He was very young and energetic and wanted to be the change for America. Before his days of being a politician JFK, served in US Navy and won a Purple Heart. After his commission in the United States Navy, Kennedy served in the House of Representatives and US Senate as a Democrat for the state of Massachusetts. As Kennedy gained experience with political challenges, he became a politician that Democrats sought. In 1956, Kennedy was also sought to be vice president candidate but did not win. As a motivated young and determined man, he decided to run for President. If Kennedy were to win the election of 1960, he would become the

     John F. Kennedy may me most memorable for with eloquent speeches. He was a good spokesperson, proving himself right off the bat with his inaugural address in 1961. These speeches instilled support and confidence in the hearts of those who listened. One can see how these feelings might come about in this quote by the President in 1963. "What kind of peace do we seek? Not a Pax Americana enforced on the world by American weapons of war. Not a peace of the grave or the security of the slave. I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living, the kind that enables men and nations to grow and to hope to build a better life for their children-not merely peace for Americans, but peace for all men and women: not merely peace in our time, but peace for all time."

Kennedy had many accomplishments during his short presidency. One of these accomplishments was in regards to the Cuban Missile Crisis. He played a lead role in figuring out how to settle this with the Soviet Union. He also abolished the federal death penalty in 1962. He initiated Project Apollo which ended up accomplishing landing the first humans on the moon between 1969-1972!

Kennedy came from a line of businessmen and politicians, so it only fit that he would follow. His father, Joseph Sr. Kennedy, had very high expectations for his family of 7 children. John was not always the best student in school, but he was clever and enjoyed history and English. He entered into Harvard University in 1936 and played football. Kennedy’s father was appointed United States Ambassador to England in 1937, and because of this, John became very interested in politics and world affairs.1 After graduating from Harvard, JFK entered the military and became a Lieutenant. He even received a Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his leadership and courage. He then decided to become a politician, and he served 3 terms in the House of Representatives then was elected to the U.S. senate in 1952. Kennedy became quite popular as a politician, so it was no surprise when he was nearly picked to run for Vice President in the 1956 election. Therefore, he decided to run for president in

John F. Kennedy was born on the 29th of May, in the year 1917. He was also known as “Jack”. As a young child, he often got sick. He did not pressure himself to do school related work, unless it appealed to him. Even in college, he only did work unless it appealed to him. Finally, in his last year in college, he got himself together and started taking school seriously. After graduating from college, he went into the army. His brother, Joseph Kennedy went into the navy. While he was in the army, unfortunately,

John F. Kennedy was elected during the Cold War which was fought between the United States and the Soviet Union. Citizens of the United States needed a leader while communism was spreading and dangerous weapons were being manufactured. Kennedy’s inaugural address was delivered on January 20th, 1961 in Washington, D.C. Kennedy envisioned bringing peace with other countries and uniting democratic countries to conquer communism. He dreams of bringing enemies together and creating a global alliance. Kennedy provides appeal to patriotism, appeal to religion, parallelism and antithesis to express unity and peace.

In 1980, Charles Harrelson was convicted of shooting federal judge John H. Wood, Jr. He was arrested in September of that year after a six hour standoff with police on the side of a highway. During the saga, Harrelson confessed to the assassination of John F. Kennedy in addition to Judge Wood. He later stated he had nothing to do with the JFK assassination, claiming he only confessed to the crime to ensure that he would live longer.

In the beginning Kennedy lacked in making big decisions. When he was asked to invade Cuba and to take down Castro he went along because the CIA told him to invade. After the mission failed terribly he realized it was time to make his own decisions. Kennedy interfered between other countries battles to become communist or become capitalist leading to many little wars. Some of the little wars such as Turkey kept countries capitalist creating more allies to the United States. The fight with Cuba, led to increasing tension in the world which increased the chances of nuclear war. When the chance of nuclear war escalated to the point of pointing missiles at each other, Kennedy made a deal with Castro which decreased pressure between Cuba and the US. Kennedy strongly believed not only in helping your own country but helping those around the United States. Therefore, he created the Peace Corps. A volunteer organization which involves aiding other countries outside of the United

President Kennedy accomplished many things while in office including, establishing the peace corps, emphasized public service, set a goal to put man on the moon, prevented nuclear war, etc. Kennedy depicted a “get-it-done optimism” which was so powerful for America to witness. Jackie Kennedy referred to her husband 's presidency as "Camelot," a wistful nod to the legend and idealism of King Arthur and his round table of heroic knights” (Walsh). During JFK’s presidency, Americans believed that they lived in an enchanted country where people could strive to better their lives (Walsh). Subsequently, JFK was fixing to run for president again to ensure that America stayed in a place of peace.

Have you heard of JFK’s assassination? John Fitzgerald Kennedy, nicknamed Jack, was one of nine children, born on May 29, 1917. His parents are Rose and Joseph Kennedy (Margret 6). Jack grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts with his five sisters and three brothers. He excelled in his English and History classes (Margret 6). In 1934, Jack became ill with jaundice, a yellow discoloration of the skin, that caused Jack to feel weak, turning yellow (Anderson 13). Jack went to Harvard University in 1936 where his interest in history continued. His older brother Joe Jr. and his father both went to Harvard University as well(Margret 6).

In school JFK was social and had so many friends. After he graduated from Choate school, he joined Harvard in 1936. Eight years later he graduated from Harvard, then he joined the Navy to participate in the world second war. JFK was a Lieutenant, and he was the leader of crew consist of 12 men. JFK and his crew their job it was interception the Japanese ships which help their soldiers. Thus, after the critical war, JFK fathers recommend him to run into the Congress. In 1946, JFK won and started to be membership, it was the first step of his political life. In brief, who was not the best student, the Navy made from him powerful president.

The 35th President of the United States of America, John F. Kennedy, was an amazing man. John was a President that served in our countries military, funded the program of N.A.S.A, and put bills into congress to desegregate schools and public places. From the second oldest child born in Boston, Massachusetts, to the president that succeeded in giving all Americans the rights they deserved, he truly was amazing. His legacy still impacts people today.

Throughout his career John F. Kennedy said some quotes that impacted America and are still remembered today. John F Kennedy once said that, "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." This showed people in the 1960’s that change needed to happen and they needed to embrace it. He also said, "Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind." This shows that he was not a man of war and wanted to make peace wherever possible which led people of the 1960s to live a more peaceful lifestyle. “There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction”(Brainy Quotes). This was what John F Kennedy was known for. He was a man of action and wanted to make a difference in society, thats what the people loved about him and it left a lasting impact on America.

"Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country," is a well-known quote among Americans that has so much meaning behind it. John F. Kennedy was a president for the United States and loved among many American citizens. His speeches were always thought out and used many rhetoric devices to reel his audience in. Therefore, making his speeches brilliant and known the citizens of America. By going over the main points of rhetoric JFK used in his innagural speech like antithesis, pathos, and the theme one can realize how deep the speech actually is.