What would the United States be like if JFK had lived?

Answer 1

Certainly could not be any worse...

Answer 2

The civil rights legislation almost certainly would not have been as courageous as that achieved under the leadership of Lyndon B. Johnson.

Given his reaction to Cuba, perhaps Kennedy would have had the good sense not to get so heavily involved in Vietnam.

But then, if he had four more years in the White House and his sexual dalliances (with Mafia queens and, perhaps, foreign intelligence agents) had become more and more risky-- well, who knows who might have blackmailed him, and how?

A more interesting question is what the US would be like if RFK had not been shot. I think he would have defeated Richard Nixon in 1968, and I suspect we would have been spared Kissinger, Watergate, Reagan, and the Bush dynasty. I was never a Kennedy supporter, but of the three (JFK, RFK, and Teddy), Bobby was probably the more promising one, especially by 1968.

Where we really missed out was in turning down Hubert Humphrey in both 1960 and 1968. In both cases, the racists of the South and the Big Money elsewhere go their way, and it's just gotten worse ever since. The moderate Republican Eisenhower and the moderate Democrat Humphrey--honest gentlemen both--we do not have their likes to choose among these days, do we?

Answer 3

Maybe not so great.

There's a fascinating novel called Resurrection Day, by Brendan DuBois. The premise is that the Cuban Missile Crisis got out of hand and the U.S. and U.S.S.R. engaged in a limited nuclear exchange, the result of which is that both countries are very much the poorer, the U.S. being dependent on the generosity of Great Britain. (The blurb on the cover says, "Everybody remembers where they were the day President Kennedy tried to kill them. ")

Of course, in reality Kennedy died after the crisis, but its quite possible his administration might have tangled with Russia again, fatally this time. This is not, of course, to say his assassination was a good thing - nobody can predict the future - it's all speculation. It's just as possible the U.S. would be much better off now if he had lived.

Answer 4

It would have effect not only the US but all of the world, I am sure that the world would have been much better place to live , if he had lived, but it is funny he is more admired buy other nations then Americans, is it because the Americans don't study their history properly, or must of them don't ,or is that because the American media doesn't like him,it is a pity because presidents like Kennedy who were educated and cupid by the Young's of the world, and changed the world to a great deal in a very short time are not frequent in the history.and something is certain the Vietnam war couldn't have happened , and louts of lied and damage wouldn't have been. isn't that a positiver point for a president?

Answer 5

He would have defeated Golwater in 1964, but by a more narrow margin.

He would have gotten the Civil Rights bills a year after the elections. They would be a little more watered down.

He would have gradually increased the commitment in Viet Nam, but being unwilling to provide adequate strength, US Forces suffer severe set backs against North Viet Nam Regulars. Given performance in the war and fiascos like the Bay of Pigs, His popularity reaches all time low.

George Romney on a platform of military preparedness, "You Can't Pull the Wool Over Our Eyes" wins the 1968 election. Ted Kennedy is the only family member with credibility to continue to hold office. He becomes the spokesman for the moderate wing of the party.

Answer 6

It be the same i presume..but if JFK live through that incident, i guess the question will be on what do you think JFK will be if he never die in that incident..for me i presume that maybe he will become a vegetable man living on life support in a hospital as the bullet went in his head during the incident.

Answer 7

Nixon would still have become President in 68 and history would have unfolded without a Viet Nam. Everything else in time would remain the same.

Answer 8

In truth, little, if at all, changed. The achievements of individual presidents fade as history passes. There have remarkable exceptions such as FDR, but I suspect that if Kennedy had served out his full term, he would have left an unremarkable legacy.

Answer 9

No different. He made lots of mistakes, just like everyone else. We all thought he would be a good , brilliant & Christian leader, but he was a womanizer & screwed up the Bay of Pigs, as well!
He loved the power that the Presidency gave him & he used it to his advantage.

Answer 10

......and if Bobby had lived. If the same presidents followed as they have since his death, the U.S. would be the same unless during his last term in office he made some huge changes, like socialized health care, securing forever social security and improving education....

Answer 11

No different, except not wondering who shot him! But there would doubtless be another conspiracy! People get romantic about those who die young. I think Nixon et al would still have been elected.