John F. Kennedy
...person ever to be elected President, the first Roman Catholic and the first to be born in
the 20th century. Kennedy was assassinated before he completed his third year as
President, therefore his achievements were limited. Nevertheless, his influence was
worldwide, and his handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis may have prevented the United
States from entering into another world war. Kennedy was especially admired by the
younger people and he was perhaps the most popular president in history. Kennedy
expressed the values of 20th century America and his presidency had an importance
beyond its political achievements. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in Brookline,
Massachusetts where he was one of nine children. The Kennedy family was very
wealthy and provided means for the Kennedy children to pursue whatever they chose
and John F. Kennedy chose politics.
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1942 and as a new member Kennedy
supported legislation that would serve the interests of his elements. Kennedy usually
backed bills sponsored by his party but would sometimes show independence by voting
with the Republicans. He also joined with the Republicans in criticizing the Truman
administration's handling of China. In China, the Nationalist government of Chiang
Kai-shek, which had been supported by the United States, was unable to withstand the
advance of Communist forces under Mao Zedong. By the end of 1949 government
troops had been overwhelmingly defeated, and Chiang led his forces into exile on
Taiwan. The triumphant Mao formed the People's Republic of China. Truman's critics,
including Kennedy, charged that the administration had failed to support Chiang
Kai-shek against the Communists.
Despite Kennedy's wavering within his own party platform, John F. Kennedy...
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