What changes did JFK's assassination have on america?

Answer 1

His augural speech "The New Frontier" inspired an entire generation of Americans. "Ask what not your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" is still imprinted on the minds of many from that generation.

His assassination killed the soul of United States. I supposed Americans were in shock on how it could have happened.

Many volunteered for the Vietnam war, which JFK had no intention of escalating. President Johnson escalated the war effort, and committed more troops to the war. The killings in Vietnam began awaken many minds to the reality of war.

Then assasination of political figures become a norm in the 60s. Martin Luther King, Robert Kennedy were both assasinated. Skeptics began to suspect elements of a right wing covert "secret team" operating in American soil as it had the hallmark of the conduct of United States covert operations overseas.

The generation who were inspired by Kennedy felt betrayed.
With an unpopular war, the civil rights movement, and the feeling that the entire political process had been hijacked , sparked the counter culture of the 70s. A rejection of the system of government. Daily anti war protest. To be anti establishment became very fashionable.

Answer 2

Brought us into the Vietnam War with LBJ's presidency.

Came at a time of sweeping reforms due to the equal rights movement.

The assissination occured during a tumltuous period for America because not only was JFK assissinated, but was also his brother RFK and Martin Luther King all within the same decade.

Brought to light much of the conspiracy and intricacies of the Soviets--JFK's assassin was believed to have had Soviet connections and was in fact married to a Soviet national.

Taught the Secret Service to be much more direct and powerful with protecting the presidency. JFK insisted on riding in an open air convertible the day of his assissination in Dallas despite rumors/ideas that it was an unsafe idea. Presidents no longer will ride unprotected and Secret Service detail is much stronger now.

Answer 3

We are a conspiracy wary country. Also we worry about what our government is hiding from us. These things were fueled by this assassination.

JFK is an icon today. Assassinations tend to make one a martyr. It makes him one of our most remembered presidents. His presidency may be more discussed, (outside that of incumbents,) than any since with the possible exception of Nixon's. (Let's not get into that.) This assassination helped to make his brother, Ted, a powerful leader in the senate ever since. The ramifications of all of this? I don't think I am smart enough to say. But they are probably countless.

Answer 4

The political history of the United States has been dotted with myriad events that could be considered as "milestone events" in constructing the American Dream. One such event had been the assassination of the President John F. Kennedy which paralyzed the whole nation during the years 1960s and beyond. JFK emerged as a vibrant and revered leader that the nation craved for.optimistic America at time of political turbulence. The loss of the President not only crippled the nation but has also been a personal loss. Due to his contacts and command of the mass media, every citizen seemed to know the President which has made his death even more sorrowful for them. But perhaps the most important aspect of the JFK assassination according to Lubin is that Jacqueline Kennedy continued to play the bereaved widow through media coverage. Her constant presence in the media not only continues to sensitize the audience but also has made a great impact on their subconsciousness. The public image that she commanded weaned public sympathy and in the process gained their loyalty to Kennedy. However, many have grown to distrust their government due to the lack of evidence, "snowballing" attitudes of the officials and the superficial attempt to deviate their attention from crucial political agendas that have long term effects on their lives. They have learned a great lesson in American political figures who not only command the mass media, like JFK did but also have the ability to convince the public to enter into public policy that work against their interests. One trend emerged from the assassination of JFK and its history is that Chile and Cointelpro have crystallized public awareness of the realities of power politics in the United States. We are at one of those moments when a providential convergence of events opens a window and shows us the treacheries involved in the struggle for state power. It is more possible today for masses of Americans to understand the need for a new framework of political thought which coherently situates these murders in an overall perspective on American politics during the Cold War." (Simon 1996).

Answer 5

~None whatsoever. Had he not been wasted in Dallas, he would have lost at the polls in another year anyway.

Answer 6

Can't trust the liberal media or the liberal government anymore.

You can only trust Republicans!