Numerous figures in the 20th century have greatly influenced American history, especially from 1946 to 2000. One such personality was John Fitzgerald Kennedy, an American statesman, and political and public figure. In 1961, he became the 35th President of the United States and preserved his position in office until he was suddenly assassinated in 1963. Considering the great influence of John Kennedy, this paper aims to explore his lifeline.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline. His father was a businessman and prominent politician Joseph Patrick Kennedy. Mom, Rosa Fitzgerald, was engaged in charity work, gave birth, and raised children, of whom nine were born in the family. John was named after his maternal grandfather – John Francis Fitzgerald, the former mayor of Boston and the most eloquent politician in the United States. There were also many political figures among the boy’s paternal relatives.
In early childhood, John was a sickly and frail child, almost dying of scarlet fever. He was also often ill at school and was constantly under the doctor’s supervision. After graduating from high school, Kennedy became a student at Harvard University, studied there for a short time, and went to the London School of Economics and Political Science for knowledge. He liked history and political science, actively participated in the life of student societies, and continued to engage in sports eagerly.
During World War II, the future American president fought in the Pacific Fleet; he was taken as an officer on a high-speed torpedo boat. He was discharged from the army before the war’s end, as his health was unstable. After demobilization, Kennedy decided to link his biography with journalism. Later, he listened to his father’s recommendation and seriously engaged in politics. He succeeded Congressman Michael Curley in the U.S. House of Representatives, and from that time, his political career began. In 1961, having democratic views on power, John F. Kennedy engaged in the presidential election. He won and became the first Catholic to lead the country.
The internal policy pursued by Kennedy did not become very successful for the country. Initially, the economy began to rise; then, there was a prolonged stagnation, and assets on the stock exchange fell sharply. The unemployment rate dropped over the years the government, and steel and oil have become much cheaper, but because of this, industrialists are angry at Kennedy. At the same time, he normalized the racial issue, thanks to which the black population received the same rights as the rest of the country’s residents. A real race has unfolded between the USA and the USSR on the issue of space exploration.
However, he did not manage to realize his presidential potential fully because of a tragic death. On November 22, 1963, the President and his wife visited the Texas city of Dallas. Kennedy’s motorcade was moving through the streets, and suddenly shots rang out on one of them. Several bullets hit the president, and he was immediately taken to the hospital. The doctors tried to do everything possible, but the miracle did not happen – the injury was too serious. John F. Kennedy died just 30 minutes after the first shot.
In conclusion, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was a figure of prominence in the United States of America. Despite his weak health in childhood, he managed to take part in war actions. It proves that he had much stamina and desire to succeed regardless of the circumstances. His presidential career was very controversial in terms of the policies he introduced. Unfortunately, Kennedy’s life ended tragically due to a fatal shot.
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