John F. Kennedy's Presidency And How His Family Influenced Him as Person And President - Research Paper Example

?JOHN F KENNEDY’S PRESIDENCY AND HOW HIS FAMILY INFLUENCED HIM AS PERSON AND PRESIDENT Introduction: The History of America will be incomplete without the mention of the 35th president of the great nation. He was the second youngest president of America, as well as the youngest to die in office. He was a great hero that impacted so much in the lives of the Americans. His political clout was begotten from his father Joseph Patrick Kennedy who wished to have his family dominate the American political system, especially the presidency. The life and biography of Kennedy will be incomplete without mentioning the role played by his family. The chief player among all his relatives was his father who prepared the ground for the political ascension of his children. He was very much instrumental to the presidency of Kennedy. Another person that is worthy of mention was his younger brother, Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy, who was appointed the attorney general by President Kennedy. He played a very active role both during Kennedy’s presidential campaign and during his tenure as the president of the United States of America. His brother Edward, though obscure, was a senator representing Massachusetts in the senate. One can conclude that Joseph Kennedy, the father of John Kennedy really established his three children politically in the American political system (Dallek). In this paper, we are going to examine how Kennedy’s family members influenced his life, both as a person and as a president. We shall identify three main family members, namely Joseph Patrick Kennedy, the father of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, his brothers Robert and Edward will also be extensively considered in the role they played in the life of John Kennedy both as a person and as a president. A brief profile of John Fitzgerald Kennedy: John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) was born to the family of Joseph Patrick Kennedy (JPK) and Rose Fitzgerald in 29th May, 1917. His place of birth was Brookline in Massachusetts. His great grandfather was Patrick Kennedy who was an immigrant from Ireland. He fled from Ireland with his family because of the great famine that besieged Ireland during his time he came to America to settle with his family and children, among who was Joseph Kennedy, the father of John Kennedy. Kennedy’s family was a businessman of great success. As a successful businessman, Joseph sponsored many political office holders, including President Roosevelt who appointed him the chairman of the American Security Exchange as well as the Ambassador to Great Britain from 1937 – 1940. It was during his political career that he prepared his children to take over the American political terrain (J. F. Kennedy). Kennedy attended the prestigious Harvard University, America, and graduated with a degree in science. He later published a work which he titled “why England Slept”, a book he published in 1940. The theme of the book was about foreign policy. He later joined the American Navy in 1941, and rose to the rank of an intelligence officer. He suffered from series of set backs and sicknesses among which was the acute pains he suffered on his back. This led to the operation of the back, and he was elevated in the military to the rank of a lieutenant general. He later resigned from the army and joined the civilian life. As a civilian, he practiced various professions. He was once a journalist, and within the confine of this noble profession, he covered the British election of 1945 as well as the United Nations conference held in San Francisco. His journalistic profession really shaped him for his political career. He later made up his mind and decided to shape history rather than reporting those who shape history (Dallek). His journey to politics: John Kennedy’s political career was shaped by his father who prepared his children for the political office. His father was preparing Joseph Kennedy Jnr to take over the political dynasty of the Kennedys. His unfortunate death as a result of the Second World War bomb made his father to shift his attention to his second child, Kennedy. His first attempt in politics as member of the House of Representatives: His first political outing was when he ran for the House of Representatives in the year in 1946, under the Democratic Party. He won the election to the House of Representatives, and became a vocal voice in the lower chamber. In the congress, he was always pushing for legislations on taxation, the improvement of social welfare as well as an improvement in the general public housing. He advocated for a cut in what people pay in order to afford shelter. This really endeared him to the American people, especially members of his constituents (Goodwin). In his stay in the congress, he developed a kin interest in foreign policies. He toured the major parts of Europe including, Germany, France, Italy, Britain Yugoslavia, and Spain. After touring the major European countries, he wrote a memo to the senate committee on foreign affairs advocating for a more multi-lateral relationship with the major European countries (Robert). As anti colonialists, he played a role against colonialism from the various European countries. Hence, he called for constant aids to the countries such as china, Korea, and other countries with less economic power (Dallek). His political career in the senate: Kennedy was elected to the senate in the year 1952. In the senate, he sponsored a lot of bills among which are the social welfare bill as well as the civil rights legislation bill. He also supported in increase in educational funding, the liberalization of the American immigration law as well as a disclosure of the funds for welfare and pension. His presidential ambition: In 1960, Kennedy declared his ambition to run for the presidency under the Democratic Party. During the presidential primary, he won with a landslide victory in some of the states, including Ohio, Oregon, New Hampshire, Indiana, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Nebraska. He was giving the Democratic Party flag as the flag bearer at the national convention held in July 1960. He selected Lyndon B. Johnson as his running mate, a move which his political allies and cronies saw as a miscalculated political move. Kenneth O’Donnell criticized Kennedy especially for choosing a running mate that is older than him (Robert). A lot of controversy trailed his candidature. First, he was a catholic, and because of this, it was thought to be inappropriate to have a catholic rule America, probably because of the hard stance of the Catholic Church on moral and political issues. Again, no catholic has ever been elected as the president of the United States of America. Kennedy knew this very well, and during one of his campaign speeches, he advocated for the separation of the state from the church, and call for the autonomy of both. This however gave him a very soft landing in his presidential ambition (A. M. Schlesinger). It must be remarked that during his presidential campaign, he made certain utterances that irked his advisers. Since he was a Democrat, it was not required of him to make utterances that ought to set America from the rest of the world. Hence, his constant competition with the Republican over who will take the strongest action against the Cuban regime did not distinguish him from the Republicans, and also does not portray him as a true Democrat. His adviser, Harris Wofford was most disturbed in this issue (J. F. Kennedy). His presidential tenure: After the rigorous presidential campaign, he won with a landslide victory over his Republican opponent Nixon. His opening speech sent jittery along the spines of his listeners. He made a lot of soul-searching speeches that endeared him to the American people. The vigor of his first speech raised the expectations of the American people and made their hopes to be high. With his rhetorical charisma and inspirational speech, many fall in love with him yet-to-be-assumed presidency (A. M. Schlesinger). He started his speech with the famous challenge which he thrown to the American people that they should think of what they should do for America rather than thinking of what America should do for them. He threw a challenge to the young people of America to develop an interest on what they can do for the help of the underdeveloped countries. He announced the establishment of a scheme known as Peace Corps. This is an international scheme established with the intention of sending about 10,000 young people to the underdeveloped world especially Africa Latin America, and Asia. He argued that this person to person approach to international issues will help to build trust and relationship between the countries involved and America. This patriotic spirit challenged a lot of the American young people who craved to be enlisted into the Peace Corps scheme (R. F. Kennedy). His speech made certain remarks about the American open confrontation with the soviets. He made it clear that he will continue the policy of his predecessor, Dwight Eisenhower against the communist nation’s especially South Vietnamese government which was led by Ngo Dinh Diem. He argued that if South Vietnamese was allowed to become a communist state, the whole world will turn to communism. Hence, he made a very heartwarming assertion that America will go to any length to support any friend and fight any enemy insofar as the liberty of all men is upheld3 His speech seduced a lot of American young people to join the US Marines. Philip Caputo, a vibrant and energetic young man was one of those that confessed the fact that Kennedy’s speech was one of the reasons why he joined the men of uniform. A lot of young men were attracted to the army by the assertion; ‘’ask not what America can do for you, but rather what you can do for America’’. This really awaked the missionary temper of the Americans majority of who started looking for avenues of doing something great for America. His presidency was known to be very hostile to Cuba, it was also very warring (Robert). Having seen a sketchy profile history of John Kennedy, it is now very important to look at the members of his family in order to know how they affected his personal and presidential life. Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy: Robert was the younger brother of John Kennedy. He played a vital role in the life of his brother both before he ascended the presidential throne as well as during his life as the president of America. Among all his siblings, he was the one whose role was in the life of the former American president was so glaring. This is because of the fact that he was an active politician during the life of John Kennedy His profile: He was born to Joseph Patrick Kennedy and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, in Massachusetts. He was in educated in Massachusetts and New York. He got enlisted into the American Navy between the years of 1944 to 1946 before he graduated from the Harvard University in 1948. In 1951, he received a degree in Law from the University of Virginia. After his law graduation, he worked in the Department of justice. He worked under this capacity till 1952 when he resigned from the civil service in order to manage the campaign of his elder brother, Kennedy for the 1951 senatorial election. When his brother won the senatorial election, he worked for Senator Joseph McCarthy, and became the chief counsel in the subcommittee for investigations. He worked under this capacity from 1955 -57. In 1957, Robert was named as the chief attorney of the senate subcommittee on improper activities going on in the organized labor. His major responsibility was to investigate and try all the criminal activities going on in the organized labor. This actually brought him to limelight and established his reputation as a lawyer that will always pursue a legal truth to its logical conclusion. In the investigations, he investigated the issues of labor racketeering. In this bid, he pursued the case of prominent individuals in the labor unions, such as the Teamster’s president, known as Hoffa James. After his career as a counsel to the senate subcommittee on investigations, he wrote a book where he narrated his experiences and ordeals, a situation that established his reputation and high profile (A. M. Schlesinger). How he influenced the presidency of John Kennedy: The influence of Robert on the political career of his brother Kennedy cannot be complete without mentioning the fact that he had to abandon his studies in order to help the presidential ambition of the young Kennedy. He helped Kennedy in so many ways during the campaign, especially in mobilization. It must be noted that he has been very helpful in the three campaigns which Kenned y ran; namely House of Representative campaign, the senate an then the presidential campaign. Even though he served in various capacities both in the senate and the justice Department, he was more loyal to his family which has vowed to uphold the political system of America. His obedience to the family political ideal helped to shape his support for his brother in his presidential bid (Robert). After the victory of Kennedy, Robert was named the US Attorney General. This however was greeted with an enormous controversy from the general public because they saw in it a swift move by the Kennedy’s to manipulate the political life of America. There are a lot of reasons why the appointment of Kennedy was greeted with such an unprecedented controversy. His appointment came as a shock and surprise to those who knew his lifestyle as well as the press and members of the bar who were regarded as the prerogative owners of the hallowed position. He was seen as a power hungry fellow who must surely abuse the privileges of his office. His appointment was looked upon by his fellow bar members who did not see anything good in him. His colleagues I the sacred profession of law thought of him as a rigid fellow with a very strict moral principle, and as such will not give any form of tolerance to issues, both national and personal. He was described in a rather more rigid and principled terms as James Macgregor Burns pointed out; stern looking, stony blue eyes, tongue with mono-syllabus, hard teeth, and a very rough and disquiet young man were all the characteristic features which he was known for (J. F. Kennedy). His competency nonetheless was not in doubt. As the US attorney general, he was instrumental in the enactment of certain policies. Both he and his brother shared the same view on racism, imperialism, and colonialism. As a result of this, he used his powers and office as the attorney general of America to influence the passing into law certain bills that upholds the civil rights of the people. Contrary to the speculations and insinuations of his detractors, his brother, Kennedy remained adamant to the call for his removal. Despite this entire imbroglio, Robert Kennedy never ceased to wax stronger. His power kept increasing. Joseph Patrick Kennedy: Joseph Patrick Kennedy was the patriarch of the great Kennedy family. He was an Irish American who migrated from Ireland to America in order to flee the feminine that was ravaging Ireland. He was the father of both john Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, the two great influential politicians in the history of America. He was born in September 6, 1888 at Boston. His parents were Patrick John Kennedy and Mary Augusta Hickey Kennedy. He married Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, a woman who was known to have spoilt her children especially Kennedy with much care and love (J. F. Kennedy). Joseph was a very successful businessman of his time. As a businessman, he invested in various sectors of the economy including Hollywood, a business that gave him fortunes. As a business man, he used his wealth to prepare a very favorable environment for the successful political outing of his children. He sponsored a lot of politicians to the political office, and in turn, he was given different kinds of political patronage. Example, he was instrumental to the financing of President Eleanor Roosevelt’s presidency, after which he as the chairman, American Security and Exchange Commission. As a businessman, he understood the economic politics of such a highly exalted office, and used same in enriching himself. He was regarded as a very greedy businessman, and people thought that president Roosevelt made a very great mistake by appointing him as the chairman of the security exchange. He instilled value and dedication in his children. He was once an ambassador to Ireland and a staunch member of the Irish catholic community (Dallek). His business career: He invested massively in real state and the stock market, amassing countless wealth from these sectors of the economy. It was on record that he never started any business from the scratch; rather he had a special skill in buying and selling. Hence, he always buys moribund businesses and revives them to be a world class business venture. In 1957, the American fortune magazine put his net wealth at $400 million, (about $3 billion in today’s financial market), making him to rank as the 16th richest men in America. His appointment as SEC chairman: his appointment as the SEC chairman was a reward giving to him for financing the Roosevelt presidential campaign in 1932. During the campaign, he donated a very huge amount of money for the campaign success of Roosevelt. Nonetheless, the SEC was his first attempt in politics, where he used his enormous power, influence and wealth to prepare the ground for his children (R. F. Kennedy). His achievement during his tenure as the SEC chairman was quite enormous. He made an extensive use of his knowledge experience as a businessman and an investor as well as his skill and experience in analyzing the financial market to restructure the capital market. Investors praised him for his doggedness in restoring the order and discipline to the capital market. He regulated the capital market in such a way that investors felt good for his works in the commission. His major achievement was for companies to file financial statement with SEC on regular basis. This was praised by all because it broke the monopoly power of some companies like the Morgan banking family who did not see the reason for giving out information to the public which is very necessary for such a corporation with public liability (Robert). His political alliances: Joseph Kennedy used all his wealth to ensure the political survival of his sons. He had wanted his senior son, Joseph to take over the political leadership of America, but unfortunately, the junior Joe died in the Second World War as a result of bomb blast. His pulled the network of his political supporters to the advantage of his sons. When his first son died, and the political diadem of the Kennedy family falls on Kennedy, it was not too difficult winning the American presidential race because the patriarch of the family has made everything to be smooth for Kennedy. Boasting with the enormous power of his wealth, Joseph Kennedy said that even though a people rejects a king, they cannot reject the royal diadem which is used to decorate kings (A. Schlesinger). He galvanized the Irish community and forms them into a very formidable political family, in preparatory of his son’s presidential emergence. His influence was felt in Boston, New Jersey, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and New York. His influence in these cities helped in making the political career of his son to be very successful because Kennedy won in the mentioned states during the presidential election. He also used his clot in certain magazines and newspapers in America, such as The New York Times to publicize the image of his sons, especially Kennedy. He was a speechwriter and a columnist in some of the national dailies. His involvement in journalism gave Kennedy a wonderful press even before he joined the presidential race (R. F. Kennedy). How he prepared the young Kennedy for the presidency: There was no way Joe influenced the presidential ambition of his son than financing the campaign. He pooled together his wealth and connections to make sure that his son won the election. It must be noted that Kennedy was not only the beneficiary of his father’s magnanimity with wealth, but rather, his siblings, namely Robert, Ted, and himself. His presidential ambition was the climax of the determination of the Kennedys to take over the American political dynasty. It was once credited to Joe as saying that image is everything, and the greatest image for the Kennedy family is to clinch the American presidency (Robert). During John Kennedy’s presidential campaign, Joseph Kennedy did not play an active role in the campaign, but he played the political game behind the scene in various ways. He played a central role in the strategy and planning of the campaign, donations and fundraisings for the campaign, establishing alliances and coalitions with various interest groups, and so many roles too numerous to mention. He was also instrumental in choosing the media organizations that covered the entire campaign processes. He did this through his media connections with the big media agencies in America. He was also putting across numbers of phone calls to newsmen, party leaders, church leaders who worked so hard for the emergence of John Kennedy especially the Catholic Church, as well as business tycoons (Robert). During the presidential campaign of John Kennedy, his whole connections were turned into a political capital. Nothing was spared in his bid to bring the presidency to the Kennedy family. He saw the victory of John Kennedy as a victory that belongs to the entire Kennedy family. American citizens actually saw the election as a battle between Joe Kennedy and his son’s opponent. John Kennedy alleged that his father asked him how many votes he will like to win during the election. This shows the big role and the enormous influence which he had on the election of john Kennedy. Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy: She was the wife of Joseph Kennedy as well as the mother of John Kennedy. She did not have much influence in the political life of his son John. Her influence on her son Kennedy was manly based on parental upbringing and relationship. He pampered the young Kennedy so much, to the extent that he lived a pampered life throughout his life, even as a Navy as well as a president (Robert). Again, his mother’s over-pampering resulted in the numerous sexual and romantic escapades which John Kennedy was known. John Kennedy was morally inept, and as a result, he delved into many sexual activities with his numerous mistresses. This is certainly the life he learnt from his father who was known for his love and penchant for girls. Dallek, nonetheless blamed this sexual attitude of John Kennedy on his mother for poor childhood upbringing (Robert). Conclusion: From all the analysis gathered through the research, certain deductions could be made about the life of John Kennedy, both before his ascendency to the presidential throne as well as his life as the president of America; that his entire life cannot be fully separated from the entire family. This could be seen as a result of the strong family cult which the father, Joseph Patrick Kennedy built; a cult that saw to the political rise of the Kennedys. Even though the scope of this assignment is limited to John Kennedy and how his family influenced his life both as an individual person as well as the president of the United States of America, it could be recalled that such an influence was not felt by him alone. Rather, his entire siblings experienced such a powerful influence, which saw to the emergence of three senators from the family, namely; John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Edward Kennedy. Both were senators, both only John Kennedy, the eldest surviving son of his parents made it to the presidency. The role which their father played cannot be forgotten in a hurry. Hence, it is very important to point out that the success of John Kennedy cannot come to the limelight without the political and financial strength of his father, who used every connection within his power to secure a seat for his son in the American presidency. Works Cited Dallek, Robert. An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917 - 1963. UK: Little, Brown, 2003. Goodwin, Doris Kearns. The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys: An American Saga. UK: Simon & Schuster, 2001. Kennedy, John F. Spartacus Educational. 12 December 2012 . Kennedy, Robert F. Robert F. Kennedy (1925-1968). 2006. 9 December 2012 . Schlesinger, Arthur Meier. A Thousand Days: John F. Kennedy in the White House. UK: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2002. Read More