Unit 8: The Presidency of John F. Kennedy (1960-1963)
In this unit we will focus on the Cold War in relation to the presidency of John F. Kennedy. When Kennedy was narrowly elected in 1960, he represented leadership for a new generation, and the glamor and sophistication of Kennedy and his wife Jackie captivated the nation. The stakes were high as Kennedy was forced to make difficult foreign policy decisions, and while he brought us to the brink of nuclear war with the Soviets, he also was able to avert it. Kennedy's life ended tragically when he was assassinated 3 years into his presidency, before Americans knew about any of his severe medical issues or private indiscretions. The public was shocked and mourned the loss of their young president, leading to years worth of conspiracy theories about who was behind the assassination. Kennedy continues to stand for the lost promise of the 1960s, though often times the myth of Kennedy does not accurately reflect the reality of his presidency.
Links/review guide:
End of Cuban Missile Crisis NOTES
Extra resources:
From Kennedy's Cold War to the War on Terror
History Today (6/6/06)
JFK's Secret Service Agents Reflect on Loss of a President
CNN (11/22/10)
The Cuban Missile Crisis
History Today (3/07)
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