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About John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in 1917 to Joseph and Rose Kennedy and had a wealthy, Catholic upbringing. Kennedy became the 35th president of the United States beginning in early 1961 where he won the election by just 0.17%. According to www.presidency.ucsb.edu, Kennedy received 34.2 million votes and the Republican nominee Richard Nixon received a close 34.1 million votes. Kennedy proved popular among many Americans because he was a skilled orator, promised to help African-Americans, those that aren't wealthy, make education better and (according to www.presidency.ucsb.edu) wanted to "get America moving again." Importantly, he was young for his position as he was only 43 years old and the the youngest president since Theodore Roosevelt. However Kennedy was also disliked by some. People, particularly from the Southern states didn't like him due to being Catholic because prejudice towards Catholics was still present in America. Kennedy was the first ever Catholic president of the United States and according to www.ushistory.org, "Questions were raised about Kennedy's ability to place national interests above the wishes of his Pope". Some were angry with the increase of taxes (in order for Kennedy to fulfill his promises). Moreover, Kennedy supported the Civil Rights Movement in America which upset Southerners and Southern extremist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. It is obvious from these reasons that John F. Kennedy was not short of enemies. The assassination On the 22nd of November 1963, approximately three years into his presidency, Kennedy travels to Dallas, Texas in an attempt to boost votes from the area. Kennedy was to drive around so that people had a chance to see their new president. There were huge crowds that day and according to www.reuters.com, Bob Huffaker said "It looked as though the entire city had turned up". Kennedy was part of a motorcade also consisting of policeman, Dallas officials, Secret Service and other politicians. Kennedy was in the presidential limousine (which had an open top) along with his wife 'Jackie' Kennedy, the Texas Governor John Connally, Connally's wife Nelly, the driver and a security detail. Kennedy was assassinated at 12:30 pm in full public view on Elm Street in Dealey Plaza and Governor Connally was seriously injured. Among other things, the number of shots and the number of wounds between Kennedy and Connally didn't add up, causing many conspiracy theories to be created over the years that are still discussed today. Abraham Zapruder who was in the crowd near the grassy knoll (a small hill on Elm Street), filmed as Kennedy passed him which happened to be the point where he was shot. This video, now known as the 'Zapruder film' has become a major, reliable piece of evidence in the examination of Kennedy's assassination and the resultant conspiracy theories. Without this vital recording, people would have believed whatever they were told about who assassinated Kennedy, the number of shots fired and where they were positioned.
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When looking at different conspiracies, we must consider who had both strong motive and opportunity to assassinate the president of the United States. Who had a strong enough motive to kill Kennedy in broad daylight surrounded by countless spectators? And, who had the ability, skill and chance to plan and carry out such a severe act?
In this website I will be covering the officially accepted story as presented by the Warren Commission, conspiracy theories that have emerged since, the theory that in my opinion seems most likely and finally the significance of John F. Kennedy's assassination to New Zealanders. |