How did the assassination of John F Kennedy affect the USA?

John F Kennedys (AKA JFK) leadership saw the beginning of new hope for both the equal
rights of Americans and the peace of the world. JFKs death affected the USA because it
escalated the USAs involvement in the Vietnam War, the ending of the era of hope, and the
acceleration of the passage of some of his social reforms.
Firstly, the JFK era (1961-1963) was an era of change and progress. JFKs leadership saw the
beginning of new hope for both the equal rights of Americans and the peace of the world.
JFK was a firm believer in peace; he was against nuclear weapons, and, finding himself in
the middle of the Cold War and Cuban Missile Crisis, he eventually signed the Nuclear Test
Ban Treaty in 1963, believing the USA had a vital interest in stopping the spread of nuclear
weapons. His policy of peace extended to the issue of the USAs involvement in the Vietnam
War, which arose in the early 1960s. During his last months of Presidency, JFK had become
increasingly concerned with the USAs involvement in the Vietnam War. He insisted it was
South Vietnams war. This is evident when he said; They are the ones who have to win it or
lose it.1 In the few weeks before his death, historians even suggest JFK was calculating how
to withdraw the USA out of the war due to the growing casualties and little or no success.
This is evident when historian and author Marie Hodge says:Its impossible to say with
certainty what would have happened if JFK had lived, but many think that America might
have avoided a long and costly war in Vietnam- a war that tore America apart and led to the
deaths of tens of thousands of Americans and millions of Vietnamese. Under President
Kennedys successors, Lyndon B Johnson and Richard M Nixon, the war escalated for more
than a decade, until America finally pulled out completely by the end of 1974.2 Public
opinion also mainly reflected anti-Vietnam War involvement. Due to the push from the antiwar movement and his own peace-promoting ethics, Kennedy hinted at a withdrawal of US
military that may have ended the napalm and butchery of Vietnam. When JFK was
assassinated in November 1963, his vice-President, Lyndon B Johnson (AKA LBJ) was
sworn into presidency. LBJ inherited the growing problem of the Vietnam War. Initially, LBJ
did not want to send US troops to the Vietnam War. However, his advisors encouraged him
to, and he steadily increased the number of US troops deployed to Vietnam, hoping to ensure
a US victory. The number of American troops in Vietnam soared from 16 000 when he first
gained leadership, to more than 500 000 in 1968, yet the conflict remained bloody and unvictorious. LBJ was held entirely responsible for the US escalating war in Vietnam. LBJs
struggle for American victory was a stark comparison to JFKs attitudes towards war, who
probably, if not for his untimely death, would have significantly decreased US involvement
in Vietnam. Therefore, it is evident that the assassination of John F Kennedy escalated the
US involvement in the war in Vietnam because of the end of his era of peace caused by his
untimely and tragic death.
Secondly, the violent and tragic nature of JFKs assassination ended the era of hope,
innocence and change in the USA. At the beginning of the 1960s, many Americans believed
they were standing at the dawn of a golden age. The economy was in good shape, and new
innovations such as the television and the other mass-produced electrical goods were
changing peoples lives. Families were expanding, and by 1960, half the American
population were under twenty-five years old. The new generation, known as baby-boomers,
had been brought up listening to rock n roll. They had more freedom, money and choice
than any previous generation. The civil rights movement had begun to stir peoples
consciences, and there was a growing awareness of social and racial inequality. On January
20th, 1961, the handsome and charismatic John F Kennedy became President of the United
1 Kennedy, John F. Interview Regarding the Vietnam War. September, 1963
2 Hodge, Marie. John F. Kennedy. New York: Sterling Pub. Co., 2007. Print.

States. Up until the 1960s, presidents had seemed conservative, old and grey. At the age of
42, and with his charm, good looks and vibrant charisma, JFK charmed this young
population. Kennedy was open and relaxed, and he promised change. Kennedy stirred the
American people. Here was a president who made them feel proud to be American, who
gave them confidence, who could carry them along on the wave of optimism that was
gathering momentum in the early 1960s. JFKs inauguration was one of the biggest
celebrations in Washington for years. In his famous inauguration speech, John F Kennedy
said: Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.3 He
was asking his people to change with the times, and under Kennedy they believed that they
could. Historian Julian Zelizer explores this era of hope and progress, saying: John F.
Kennedy represents an era in American history when politicians still trusted their
government. Americans look back to Kennedy and his presidency longing for the confidence
that the nation once expressed toward its political leaders. To many Americans, he was
Camelot a sharp contrast to the memory of corruption and scandal that have surrounded
so many presidents since 1963. In the post-Watergate era, no politician has been able to
reclaim the kind of trust and excitement that so many citizens felt toward Kennedy.
People had not yet lived through the Vietnam War or the Watergate scandal. They had faith in
their leaders. It was an exciting time when people believed they could make a difference- in
many ways it was the last age of innocence. However, this era of hope was cut short before
reaching its potential with the violent and sudden murder of John F Kennedy on November
22, 1963. President John F. Kennedy was shot as he rode in a motorcade through downtown
Dallas, Texas. The entire nation was in shock by the gruesome death: the gunshots gave JFK
horrific head wounds- the whole right side of his head was blown away. Blood spattered
Jackie Kennedys infamous pink Chanel suit. The public was hysteric with grief. The era of
innocence, peace and progress had officially ended- the patriarch of this era had been
murdered brutally and tragically. Therefore, it is clear that John F Kennedys assassination
ended the era of hope, peace, change and innocence.
John F Kennedys assassination affected the USA because he was murdered just when his
domestic and international policies seemed to be coming to fruition. This meant that his
untimely death accelerated some of his social and economic reforms. An example of a social
reform that JFKs death accelerated was the Civil Rights Act (in particular for African
Americans). In June 1963, JFK submitted his Civil Rights Bill. He then organized a meeting
with Martin Luther King Jr. and other black civil rights leaders. These actions received heavy
support and approval from black civil rights leaders. This can be seen when Martin Luther
King Jr. responded to JFKs civil rights speech; "Can you believe that white man not only
stepped up to the plate, he hit it over the fence!"4 However, these actions showing support for
black civil rights caused JFK to lose some popularity amongst white voters. However,
President Kennedy had laid the groundwork for progress, and in 1964 (after Kennedys
death), the Civil Rights Bill was passed easily through Congress, becoming an act, despite
previously heavy opposition. This was believed to be because it was carried out by mourning
Americans in his memory and as part of his legacy. Another example of Kennedys social
reforms that was accelerated by his assassination was his plans for medical care for the
elderly, which was realized in Lyndon B Johnsons 1965 Medicare program. John F Kennedy
dying at a time when he was idolized by many Americans meant that, as said by Marie
Hodge: John F Kennedy lived his life and served his term as president in such a way that
he inspired his fellow Americans to be better citizens, better people, for years after his death,
Americans pursued his programs and policies for creating a safer and more just world.5
3 Kennedy, John F. Inauguration Speech. Washington D.C. 1961
4 Luther King, Martin. Response to Civil Rights Bill. 1963
5 Hodge, Marie. John F. Kennedy. New York: Sterling Pub. Co., 2007. Print.

JFKs death caused many Americans to realize the benefit of his programs without the
confusion of controversy and politics getting in the way, and the grief allowed them to push
for these reforms as a way to honor his legacy. In conclusion, it is clear that JFKs
assassination affected the USA because it accelerated some of his social and economic
reforms, which may not have passed through to being officially recognized if it had not been
for his tragic, unexpected death.
In conclusion, it is evident that the murder of John F Kennedy affected the USA because it
escalated the USAs involvement in the Vietnam War, the ending of the era of hope, and the
acceleration of the passage of some of his social reforms. However, his legacy as the
youngest and one of the greatest Presidents continues to live on in the United States. As said
by historian and author Marie Hodge: Like a shooting star, he (JFK) shone brightly, and
burned out. But no one who saw that star could ever forget its brilliance. 6

6 Hodge, Marie. John F. Kennedy. New York: Sterling Pub. Co., 2007. Print.