Introduction
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, who was also known as JFK, was the thirty-fifth president of the United States (“John F. Kennedy”). On November 22, 1963, Kennedy was riding in a procession through downtown Dallas, Texas, when around 12:30 PM the gunfire sounded, and President Kennedy was struck in the neck. He was rushed to the hospital but was announced dead at 1:00p.m. (“November 22, 1963: Death of the President”). The alleged shooter was the infamous Lee Harvey Oswald. Oswald was arrested in a movie theater for the murder of JFK, but while being transferred he was shot by Jack Ruby (“November 22, 1963: Death of the President”). However, while this is widely believed, this may not have been the case: therefore, let’s discuss possible conspiracies surrounding the death of President Kennedy.
Charater Analysis
The 35th President of the United States John F Kennedy made huge contributions as president, but he also made significant contributions before “winning the election” Even though his life was cut short, Kennedy rose to become one of the greatest presidents and Americans of all time with the support of his family and his own determination. He withheld several qualities that make him the ideal of a great American. John F. Kennedy embodies everything that is American.
John F. Kennedy had oftentimes proven himself to be a fighter. Kennedy had to adapt and overcome the complications of being ill and was diagnosed with Addison’s disease at the age of twenty-two (Dallek). Addison’s disease slowly develops and can be life-threatening, but no one on the outside can see the effects. Symptoms disrupt everyday life and cause much difficulty in mandatory tasks, for the effect of Addison’s is in appetite, abdominal pains, behavioral symptoms, blood pressure, blood sugar, joint pain, and nausea (Dallek). Struggling through these conditions would be tiring, but Kennedy kept fighting, despite having to bear this burden in silence appearing strong on the outside while sometimes suffering on the inside.
John F. Kennedy’s courage during the Cuban missile crisis is what got our nation through the incident. The Cuban missile crisis was caused by the Soviet Union as Khrushchev aided Cuba by sending them “...Soviet medium-range ballistic missiles, nuclear-capable weapons with a range of 1,200 miles” which is a massive security risk to the United States, as nuclear bombs can decimate cities (Sherwin and Gambling with Armageddon: Nuclear Roulette from Hiroshima to the Cuban Missile Crisis). Since JFK was president and had advisors considering all alternatives during the Cuban missile crisis, he maintained his composure when he learned that Khrushchev had given Cuba missiles. However, JFK later decided to blockade Cuba from any shipments on "Monday evening, October 22nd, he announced his decision to "quarantine" Cuba as the first move to force Khrushchev to withdraw his missiles," (The Bay of Pigs). Which caused great tension between Cuba and the United States. The advisors and John F. Kennedy decided that they would invade Cuba and destroy their missiles; however, JFK later decided to blockade Cuba from any shipments (Sherwin and Gambling with Armageddon: Nuclear Roulette from Hiroshima to the Cuban Missile Crisis). Behind John F. Kennedy’s back, the CIA trained freedom fighters who opposed Fidel Castro. The CIA used these fighters in the Bay of Pigs operation to overthrow Fidel Castro’s government in cooperation with the Air Force; however, they were unsuccessful in their operation due to their lack of numbers against Fidel Castro’s troops and that “President Kennedy canceled a second air strike” (The Bay of Pigs) which led to the Cuban rebels being defeated by Castro’s troops (The Bay of Pigs). The United States and "Castro eventually settled on $53 million worth of baby food and medicine in exchange for the prisoners" and the removal of nuclear missiles ensuring the safety of the United States after the unsuccessful invasion of Cuba (The Bay of Pigs).
John F. Kennedy was a fighter and courageous man who served the United States as president and kept his nation moving forward even in times of strife such as the Cuban Missile Crisis. Kennedy kept pushing and striving for his Nation. He learned to fight while battling through his adversity.
Conspiracy Theories
There have been several conspiracies around the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Lee Harvey Oswald was not the lone gunman, according to many (Gillon). As stated in a study, 61% of Americans think Oswald wasn't the sole person to kill Kennedy (Halleman). Still there are others that believe that the Central Intelligence Agency’s involvement in the assassination of Kennedy because he wanted to end U.S. involvement in Asia by withdrawing troops from Vietnam (“JFK Assassination Conspiracy Theories”). The lone gunman and the CIA involvement theories that surround the JFK assassination together create a compelling case of conspiracy.
Many people believe that Lee Harvey Oswald was not the lone gunman. According to the Warren Commission, which was to investigate the assassination of President JFK, Oswald fired three shots within 8.4 seconds, the first shot missed, the second wounded Kennedy and Governor John Connally, the third struck Kennedy’s head (Greenspan). The possibility of both getting shot by the same gunman within seconds is what caused speculation. The autopsy of Kennedy, done at Parkland Hospital, stated, “Parkland doctors found that the bullets entered about two centimeters above the President’s bow tie, and emerged out of his lower back, about fourteen centimeters below the entering wound” (“JFK Assassination Conspiracy Theories”). For this to have happened, it would have been an impossible shot for Oswald to have fired. The Warren Commission ignored all of this in their official reports. The evidence of the shots being fired and the time this took place do not coalesce. Even with all that being said there is not enough evidence to prove that there was a second shooter.
The second conspiracy pertains to the Central Intelligence Agency’s involvement in the assassination of Kennedy. Kennedy was determined to end U.S. involvement in Asia by withdrawing the U.S. military from Vietnam (“JFK Assassination Conspiracy Theories”). Taking away the military aid angered and frustrated the CIA. The CIA then met with Kennedy to try and change Kennedy’s mind about Vietnam. However, Kennedy refused to negotiate with the CIA, creating the motive for the CIA to want to kill Kennedy. After the Assassination, news reports only spoke of Oswald being the lone assassin. “This lack of information to the public was the brainchild of the CIA in its attempts to cover-up the facts. This carefully constructed plot was monitored by skilled agents who could control certain key facts of the bureaucracy, the Warren Commission and the news media” (Greenspan). The CIA was able to cover its tracks by not being transparent with the public.
Kennedy’s assassination is one of America’s most significant conspiracy theories even though it has been over fifty-seven years since the tragedy occurred. It is evident that no matter what, Oswald was involved with Kennedy’s shooting whether he worked alone or not will remain a mystery. However, there is too much overwhelming evidence surrounding the case to be more than just a lone attack. The most plausible cause was that the CIA was working behind the scenes. Not having enough solid and unmistakable evidence to prove the CIA was involved officially establishes one of the most interesting American conspiracy theories.
Conclusion
Overall president Kennedy was a fighter and courageous man who kept his nation moving in the right direction even in the time of major conflict such as the Cuban missile crisis. He learned to fight while battling through adversity. His presidency was cut short when he was shot in the neck by Lee Harvey Oswald. It is widely believed that the assassination could not have been orchestrated and carried out by Oswald alone (“November 22, 1963: Death of the President”).
1.) Was Oswald the lone gunman?
2.) Was the CIA working behind the scenes?
It is clear that no matter what Oswald was involved with Kennedy’s shooting, but it would remain a mystery if he actually worked alone or not. The most believable theory is that the CIA was working behind the scenes. The events surrounding Kennedy’s assassination creates one of America’s most significant conspiracy theories even though it has been over fifty-seven years since the tragedy occurred (“JFK Assassination Conspiracy Theories).
Works Cited
Dallek, Robert. “The Medical Ordeals of JFK.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 1 July 2021, www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/08/the-medical-ordeals-of-jfk/309469/.
Gillon, Steven M. “Why the Public Stopped Believing the Government about JFK's Murder.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 30 Oct. 2017, www.history.com/news/why-the-public-stopped-believing-the-government-about-jfks-murder
Greenspan, Jesse. “The Other Victims of the JFK Assassination.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 18 Nov. 2013, www.history.com/news/the-other-victims-of-the-jfk-assassination.
Hallemann, Caroline. “The Kennedy Conspiracy Theories That Still Endure 50 Years after JFK's Death.” Town & Country, Town & Country, 2 Nov. 2021, www.townandcountrymag.com/society/politics/a13093037/jfk-assassination-conspiracy-theories/
Markel, Dr. Howard. “John F. Kennedy Kept These Medical Struggles Private.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 22 Nov. 2019, www.pbs.org/newshour/health/john-f-kennedy-kept-these-medical-struggles-private.
Sherwin, Martin J., and Gambling with Armageddon: Nuclear Roulette from Hiroshima to the Cuban Missile Crisis. “Inside JFK’s Decision-making during the Cuban Missile Crisis.” Time, Time, 16 Oct. 2020, time.com/5899754/jfk-decisionmaking-cuban-missile-crisis/.
“JFK Assassination Conspiracy Theories.” UK Essays, UK Essays, 12 Aug. 2021, www.ukessays.com/essays/history/conspiracy-theories-of-the-john-f-kennedy-assassination-history-essay.php.
“John F. Kennedy.” The White House, The United States Government, 23 Dec. 2022, www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/john-f-kennedy/.
“November 22, 1963: Death of the President.” November 22, 1963: Death of the President | JFK Library, www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/november-22-1963-death-of-the-president.
“The Bay of Pigs.” The Bay of Pigs | JFK Library, www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/the-bay-of-pigs.