Conspiracy theories surround this momentous occasion, but those theories are best left tested by those who care about them. Ultimately, the consequences of this event, whether they are positive or negative, are what matter.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US:
CIVIL RIGHTS:
John F. Kennedy is often viewed as a champion of Civil Rights. With his affable persona, his popularity among blacks, and his aborted presidency, one might feel inclined to associate him with progress. However, his actions did not bring about the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Since JFK was a “Yankee,” inexperienced, and disliked by many in his own party , it is very possible that he would not have been able to convince Congress to pass this monumental bill (far more Democrats voted against the bill than Republicans, even though it was Kennedy who sponsored it). Being a southerner and very politically savvy, LBJ was able to convince obstinate legislators to vote for his agenda.
VIETNAM:
While some considered John F. Kennedy weak and unaggressive in foreign policy, specifically in his dealings with Vietnam, it his hard to place that same description on Lyndon B. Johnson. While he may not have wanted to be in Vietnam, he did not want to look internationally weak either. He was more committed to winning than his predecessor, who had already implemented a plan to withdraw 1,000 troops. From 1963 to 1968 LBJ had increased the troop presence there by more than 3000%, and the death toll of American Soldiers during that same time had risen over 14,000%. Needless to say, the war became very unpopular and led to LBJ’s not seeking reelection in 1968.
GREAT SOCIETY:
Exactly six months after the assassination of Kennedy, Johnson announced his plan for the Great Society in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Enabled by a 36-seat gain in the House of Representatives, and a 2-seat gain in the Senate, the Democrats enjoyed a 68% majority in both houses at the end of the 1964 election. This allowed Johnson to easily pass his myriad of social reforms in his plans for the Great Society.
With his Education Acts, federal monies began flowing into state-run educational facilities, something that had previously been seriously frowned upon. His War on Poverty enacted new programs to provide jobs for the lower class, and incentives to stay in school. His health care reforms brought about Medicare and Medicaid, which enabled senior citizens and welfare recipients to receive health care at a drastically reduced cost to them.
The Great Society was LBJ’s pet project. He would have encouraged Congress to spend even more on it were it not for the war in Vietnam. Trillions of dollars have been spent on social initiatives as a result of this philosophy. Government became increasingly ubiquitous in American Society as a result of the expenditures it put forth. Millions became dependent on the money or services that the government provided.
CONCLUSION:
The assassination of John F. Kennedy affected every American when it happened. He became a far more popular president in his death than he had ever been during his administration. When he was killed, national anger and sympathy allowed for the Democrats’ landslide in 1964. It allowed for Johnson’s election in 1964, with his promises to continue the Kennedy legacy. As a result, we got the Civil Rights act of 1964, an increased presence in Vietnam, and the Great Society. We also got all of their subsequent consequences, whether positive or negative.
