JFK introduction: A New Era of Presidents

JFK introduction: A New Era of Presidents

The American Royal Family

• The Kennedy family has often been referred to as the American version of the British Royal Family

• Wealthy socialites, a Kennedy has held an elected office in the U.S. government since the 1960's

• Irish-Catholic

Open Ended

Who is today's "American Royal Family"?

"The American Dream" Family

• The Grandfather of future President John F. Kennedy came to America with nothing in but the clothes he was wearing, and his family

• His eldest son, Joseph was raised in Massachusetts, desiring to overcome the anti-Irish sentiments held by the East Coast Upper class, earned his First Million Dollars by 30 y/o

Poll

How does the Kennedy family demonstrate the American Dream?

• family that recent immigrated to the USA

• started in poverty

• worked their way into being wealthy

• went from immigrants to president in 3 generations

A Family of Drive and Refinement

• Joseph (or Joe) got into politics and eventually earned a job as the Ambassador to England

• His children received a formal English education, mixing old-world manners with new world drive

• JFK was a "mucker"

Ambition and War

• Joe Kennedy was extremely wealthy, and he desired to get family into politics

• However, Joe made a bad move by opposing the U.S.A. entering WWII*

• Joe Jr. (the eldest son) and John F. Kennedy (the next eldest) both joined the military during WWII

• Joe Jr. died (plane crash) and JFK became a war-hero in the Navy

Politics at last!

• After WWII, JFK entered politics by winning a seat in the House of Representatives and later, the Senate

• JFK's younger brothers Bobby and Ted both eventually became Senators as well

Multiple Choice

TRUE or FALSE: the Kennedy family is a political dynasty?

• True

• False

JFK: Intellectual

• Harvard Graduate

• Wrote a famous book in Highschool : "Why England Slept"

• Activist, Particularly in regards to Civil Rights

• Sought to Propel the Nation into the "New Frontier": socially, technologically, and politically

JFK: Heart-throb

• JFK was a Young and Charismatic personality (and had several affairs with movie stars!)

• Had two children by the time he became president

• Made many very impressive speeches

• Yet, was inexperienced

Open Ended

What is your opinion (based on what you know now) of JFK?

(Positive, Negative, or neutral)

Why do you feel this way?

(two sentences minimum)