The Life of President John F Kennedy
President of the U.S has powers of the executive and is also the head of the government and chief commanding officer in the military. The presidency is accountable for implementing acts inscribed by the Congress and hires leaders of central agencies and the cabinet. Presidents in the U.S. have had several events in their leadership, which in turn had effects on the country and the world at large. Often, Americans regularly give him the highest approval scores than any leader since Franklin D. Roosevelt. As the 35th president of the U.S, President Kennedy settled the Cuban missile and the Berlin crises and initiated the peace corps program that helps countries develop economically.
Early Life
Born after America’s entry into the First World War, President Kennedy was the first president of the twentieth century. He was born from one of the wealthiest families in the U.S. with long political histories (Selverstone). More so, he was nurtured in a family that required stiff intellectual and physical competition among the siblings. Later in his life, he joined the Navy where he served in the South Pacific, after graduating from Harvard. Several recognition awards were given to him for his courageous acts in the army. Discharged from the military, he operated as a journalist for a newspaper, before being elected to U.S Congress the following year at the age of twenty-nine (Selverstone). He earned a vast reputation as a conversant Democrat in the U.S House of Representatives, which gave him a ticket for re-election for the second term.
Developing his ambitions to the most exceptional leader of the people, Kennedy run for the U.S Senate, which he won despite being dogged by poor health as a result of the war. Besides, he was reelected, which raised his ambitions to hold a much higher position in the country. In 1956, J.F. Kennedy ran for a quest to be the vice president but lost even though the pursuit doubled his popularity. Four years later, he announced candidacy for United States president, which he narrowly won on a democratic ticket (Heyse and Gibson 24). He became the youngest and the first Roman Catholic ever to be elected as the President of the U.S.
Important Events in JFK’s Lifetime
The Cuban Missile Crisis
This crisis involved a lot of miscalculations and communications, which were primarily held at the White House, with slight participation from the government. The event was a direct and a perilous resentment amongst the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, which almost brought about nuclear conflicts amongst the countries (“The Cuban Missile Crisis, October 1962”). As a result of the U.S failure to take over the Castro regime, the Soviets arranged together with Fidel, to place atomic bombs in Cuba to avoid imminent attacks. The Intelligence of the United States discovered the missile site, where president Kennedy warned against the development of nuclear arms. Despite the warnings, Cuba continued developing these weapons, which force the U.S to take actions that would resolve the crisis. As a result, Cuba was placed in naval quarantine.
Even though it seemed that only an attack would eradicate the missiles from Cuba, president Kennedy insisted on giving diplomacy more time. He sent messages to the Soviets, suggesting several steps that would see the weapons out of Cuba with the regulation of the U.N and a pledge that the U.S would not attack (“The Cuban Missile Crisis, October 1962”, n.d.). This turn of events led to the end of the catastrophe, which strengthened the image of President Kennedy worldwide and locally. Cuban missile crisis was terrifying, which saw governments’ willingness to invest in defense. More so, it built a higher capacity to negotiate and communicate amongst two superpower counties to find ways of resolving conflicts and avoid war. President Kennedy led to the signing of agreements that stopped the supply of nuclear weapons to any country to avoid such predicaments.
Creation of The Peace Corps
Peace Corps is a volunteering project controlled and run by the U.S to provide social and economic development globally. This operation was an outgrowth of the cold war initiated by president Kennedy and established by executive order in 1962 (“Peace Corps”). Energized and the talented staff was recruited to implement the task force’s commendations. The task force was extended further in Ghana, Burma, as well as India. Additionally, Congress officiated the program as a permanent federal agency in the state department, which was later signed by President Kennedy to an independent agency.
The Peace Corps program has brought a lot of benefits to countries all over the world. The task force has enabled different states to become part of a vibrant network that has brought together nations (“Benefits”). More so, it has enabled individuals to travel and witness different cultures existing in other places, allowing the sharing of experiences in host countries. Besides, it has helped interested countries meet their demands for well-trained personnel and army forces. This program, started by President Kennedy, has dramatically helped countries develop and have access to resources crucial for growth.
Construction of The Berlin Wall
The long-standing conflicts over Berlin’s status between Russia and the U.S led to the construction of a wall between two sections of the country. Soviet leaders wanted Britain, U.S, and France to leave the west section of Berlin since the town lay deep at the heart of East Germany (“John F. Kennedy – Key Events”). President Kennedy showed the commitment of the U.S to protect West Berlin, which saw the government invest more in the military. Construction of the Berlin wall led to an end of the German inhabitants in the west of Berlin. These turns of events demonstrated the U.S pledge to support the West Berlin, which saw the Soviets end their threats of a separate German treaty.
Berlin wall aided the Cold War with a physical embodiment, which resulted in the foundation of a “de facto treaty” between Germany and the U.S. This resolution of the crisis concluded the most crucial part of conflicts during the Cold War (“John F. Kennedy – Key Events”). Moreover, the wall portrayed different ideologies among systems of régimes. The wall symbolized differences between communists and democrats and lay ways where these people could coexist.
In summary, U.S presidents are known for their actions and leadership, which often shaped and created a way for leaders of today. President Kennedy is one of the most loved leaders in the country, helped the U.S to improve the economy with his leadership styles. His determination to be the most excellent leader led to the realization of many benefits and the creation of a peaceful society by abolishing acts of moving fatal weapons to any country. John F. Kennedy left a legacy that puts him as one of the greatest leaders in America’s history.
Works Cited
“Benefits”. Peace Corps, https://www.peacecorps.gov/volunteer/benefits/.
Heyse, Amy L., and Katie L. Gibson. “John F. Kennedy, “‘The President and The Press,’ Bureau of Advertising, American Newspaper Publishers Association, 27 April 1961″”. Voice of Democracy, vol 9, 2015, pp. 23-40., https://voicesofdemocracy.umd.edu/wp- content/uploads/2015/11/JFK-Revision_Essay_Final-lph-edits.pdf. Accessed 29 Apr 2020.
“John F. Kennedy – Key Events”. Miller Center, https://millercenter.org/president/john-f- kennedy/key-events.
“Peace Corps”. Jfk Library, https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/peace-corps. Accessed 30 Apr 2020.
Selverstone, Marc J. “John F. Kennedy: Life Before the Presidency”. Miller Center, https://millercenter.org/president/kennedy/life-before-the-presidency. Accessed 29 Apr 2020.
“The Cuban Missile Crisis, October 1962”. Office of The Historian, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1961-1968/cuban-missile-crisis. Accessed 29 Apr 2020.