Foreign Policy of John F. Kennedy - 5063 Words

Sarah Stone Professor Ferrari 10 April 2012 John F. Kennedy Even before John Fitzgerald Kennedy began his presidency in 1961, he viewed foreign policy as one of the most important aspects of our lives. In one speech he said, â€Å"Foreign policy today, irrespective of what we might wish, in its impact on our daily lives, overshadows everything else. Expenditures, taxation, domestic prosperity, the extent of social sciences — all hinge on the basic issue of war or peace† (JFK Library). As the first president born in the 20th century, the youngest president to be elected to office, and the youngest president to die in office, John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s time in office was brief, but full of difficult challenges in foreign affairs. I feel that he†¦show more content†¦I admire Kennedy’s optimism in the possibility of compromising with the Soviets, but I also feel that he needed to be stronger and more direct with them. Kennedy’s structure of foreign policy was much different from Eisenhowe r’s foreign policy. During the Eisenhower years, America had a detailed national security structure, with a â€Å"massive retaliation† idea, while Kennedy was more informal, with his â€Å"flexible answer†, which I think fit his New Frontier model. After the rigid structure of Eisenhower, Kennedy and his advisors wanted a new, less formal way of dealing with international affairs. He was an activist, who was very popular with generations both young and old, and I think that he brought a new idea of informality to the way the White House worked. For example, he preferred to work directly with the officers in the Department of State, and he relied on his assistant for national security affairs, McGeorge Bundy, instead of the usual Operations Coordinating Board. In dealing with crises, and seeking advice, Kennedy had a small number of close advisors that were also his friends, one of which was his brother Robert Kennedy, the attorney general (Miller Center). Very e arly in Kennedy’s presidency he had his first major conflict in foreign affairs in the Bay of Pigs, which ended in disaster. He was told of a secret planShow MoreRelatedJohn F. Kennedy s Strategy On Foreign Policy1275 Words   |  6 PagesJohn F. Kennedy’s Strategy on US Foreign Policy Although John F. Kennedy’s record on foreign policy has received mixed reviews because of his all too short presidency, Kennedy’s approach or strategy on how to deal with international issues gave the United States of America options on foreign policy, both then and now. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born to a rich and privileged family who was already a well politically connected family. The Kennedy’s fortune came from the stock market, entertainmentRead MoreJohn F. Kennedy s Record On Foreign Policy1304 Words   |  6 PagesAlthough John F. Kennedy’s record on foreign policy has received mixed reviews because of his all too short presidency, Kennedy’s approach or strategy on how to deal with international issues gave the United States of America options on foreign policy, both then and now. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born to a rich and privileged family who was already a well politically connected family. The Kennedy’s fortune came from the stock market, entertainment, and other business ventures by Joseph â€Å"Joe† KennedyRead MoreThe United States Foreign Policy Essay1470 Words   |  6 PagesThe United States foreign policy is an interaction between the United States and foreign nations. Foreign policy sets standards on how different organizations, corporations, and individual citizens should interact with one another. 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Kennedy was seen as one of the most charming, prominent, and youngest American presidents of our time. He brought ideas and plans to make America a better place when he stepped into office. His run as president was so unique because he had set out plans for office, but he was assassinated before he could go through with some of them. Vice president Lyndon B. Johnson stepped up to the challenge to continue Kennedy’s plans (John F. Kennedy). John F. Kennedy’s domestic policies in the CivilRead MoreAssassination Of John F. Kennedy1168 Words   |  5 PagesAssassination of John F. Kennedy In the city of Dallas, America’s thirty-fifth and first Catholic president of the United States died from two bullet shots to his skull, on November 22, 1963. John Fitzgerald Kennedy had not even served a full term of presidency when the assassination took place, and was in the middle of campaigning for a second term. Near the beginning of JFK’s presidency, back in 1961, he saw greatness in the new generation, as they were the key to improving America. Kennedy wanted toRead MoreFormer First Lady, Michelle Obama, Defined Success As â€Å"The1579 Words   |  7 Pagesrecollect John F. Kennedy as a successful individual during the 1950’s because of the advances he made to the growing nation. Through his years in office, Kennedy grew the economy with several policies which contributed to stronger ties with foreign countries. Not only did he stand up for the rights of African - Americans through a time of segregation, but he also helped guide the way for minority groups and followed his expression, â€Å"Get America Moving Again.† President John F. Kennedy was effectiveRead MoreJohn F. Kennedy s Decision Making Process1186 Words   |  5 Pagesquality that separates a good leader from a great one. In considering the governmental history of the United States, John F. Kennedy is arguably among the most successful presidents to hold the mantle of commander in chief. However, this degree was not achieved due to his infallible leadership and decision making skills. For this reason, I would like to investigate the extent to which John F. Kennedy’s decision-making process changed from the Bay of Pigs Invasion to the Cuban Missile crisis during hisRead MorePresidential Doctrines Essay1051 Words   |  5 PagesRunning head: PRESIDENTIAL DOCTRINES Presidential Doctrines: President Kennedy and the Communist Expansion Abstract The Kennedy Doctrine was essentially an expansion of the foreign policy of the previous administrations of Dwight D. Eisenhower and Harry S. Truman, The Eisenhower doctrine focused providing both military and economic assistance to nations resisting communism and increasing trade from the U.S. to Latin America and the Truman doctrine focused on containment of communism by providingRead MoreThe Policies Of Eisenhower s Vietnam And John F. Policy1688 Words   |  7 Pagesviewed Kennedy as a young, naà ¯ve president who lacked a clear policy but the counter argument is that Kennedy was decisive and assertive. In order to judge whether John F. Kennedy lacked a clear policy in Vietnam we have to compare the policies of Dwight Eisenhower’s in Vietnam and John F. Kennedys policies and how it contradicted with their ideologies. DWIGHT EISENHOWERS FOREIGN POLICY VS. JOHN F. KENNEDYS FOREIGN POLICY The view by some historians is that The Dwight Eisenhower foreign policy was