The Effects of John F. Kennedy on American Voters

 John F. Kennedy was one of the most influential politicians in the US 20th century political history. He was a prominent political figure, whose public image, political ideas, charisma, leadership, and attempt to eliminate barriers between Americans and unite the nation attracted many voters and change their political behavior urging them to take a proactive stand in their political life. In this regard, John F. Kennedy promoted the idea of equality and justice which was attractive and made many Americans believe that they will gain better opportunities to exercise their rights and liberties on the equal ground and be a part of the nation united and free of injustice and inequality.

The major impact of John F. Kennedy on American voters was the hope he gave to Americans. He inspired hope for justice and equality of all Americans. John F. Kennedy was the youngest President of the US by that time and he really inspired many Americans that the new President would change the US politics and the nation. The growing dissatisfaction of many Americans because of racial discrimination, gender inequality, engagement of the US into military operations overseas and many other issues, which Americans believed John F. Kennedy could have changed as he promised during his elections (Ballard, 2002). Such hopes and inspiration influenced the behavior of voters, who became more confident in their ability to change their country through elections and participation in the political life because it was due to their support that John F. Kennedy and politicians like him could take the power and serve their term in the highest office of the US.

The focus on justice and equality brought by John F. Kennedy encouraged American voters to overcome their racial biases and view each other as equal. African Americans were inspired and expected the further advancement of changes driven by the Civil Rights Movement. African Americans comprised a large part of voters which was traditionally passive and poorly engaged in the political life of the US. African Americans did not really believe they can change something, if they get involved in politics or take part in elections. John F. Kennedy gave hope to African Americans that racial inequality would cease to exist in the US (Alford & Newman, 2011). This is why many African Americans had started to participate in elections and the political life of their country under the impact of John F. Kennedy. They became aware of the necessity of the political action to reach their ends and to meet their interests. They became aware that they could not succeed and change their life for better without political representation. They expected John F. Kennedy could represent their interests (Walton & Smith, 2000). This was why he received such substantial support from the part of African American communities nationwide.

At the same time, John F. Kennedy inspired youth and his image of a young and proactive President encouraged the youth to take a more active part in the political life of the US. the youth was quite pathetic and disinterested in politics. Young Americans did not pay much attention to politics because they believed politics did not have much impact on their life, while many believed that their votes will be wasted because there were no candidates that could stood for new values and ideas (Herst, 2007). In this regard, John F. Kennedy became the candidate that had managed to inspire the youth and had given them hope that the time of changes had come. They were inspired and believed in the profound transformation of the nation through the active involvement into the political life of their country.

John F. Kennedy was also an inspiring candidate and politician for the lower- and middle-class, who were the most inclined to his ideas of justice and equality. In a way, his program suggested restart of social relations in the US through the elimination of racial biases and other barriers, while all Americans were expected to stand on the equal ground, regardless of their social status, level of income, color of their skim, and whatever other differences they had (Brauer, 2002).

Ironically, the assassination of John F. Kennedy has had probably even greater impact on American voters than his entire political career. The assassination of John F. Kennedy was not just the murder of the US President but it was also the assassination of dreams of many people, who believed in positive changes. On the other hand, his death inspired many voters to continue their struggle on the political field and they have launched civil activism and support of political forces that stood for their interests (Reeves, 1993). This is why the Civil Rights Movement had grown stronger after his assassination. In such a way, John F. Kennedy inspired many voters and made them to take a proactive stand in the political life of their country.

Therefore, the engagement of John F. Kennedy gave many Americans hope for positive changes and encouraged the youth, African Americans and other Americans to take an active part in elections and political life of the US. In this regard, John F. Kennedy became the politician, who has managed to revive the belief of Americans in their ability to change their life and the life of their country through their active engagement into the political life of their country. 

References:

Alford, M. and Newman, J. (2011). Once Upon A Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and its Aftermath. London: Hutchinson.

Ballard, R.D. (2002). Collision With History: The Search for John F. Kennedy’s PT 109. Washington, DC: National Geographic.

Brauer, C.M. (2002). John F. Kennedy, In Graff, Henry. The Presidents: A Reference History (7th ed.). pp. 481–498

Herst, B. (2007). Bobby and J. Edgar: The Historic Face-Off Between the Kennedys and J. Edgar Hoover That Transformed America. Basic Books

Reeves, R. (1993). President Kennedy: Profile of Power. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Walton Jr., H. and Smith, R.C. (2000). American Politics and the African American Quest for Universal Freedom. Addison, Wesley, Longman

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

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"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

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[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]
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