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... hts Movement, he was often privately infuriated by it and by the means that many of the more prominent advocates of the movement were using in an attempt to achieve their goal of acceptance and equality. In a major televised address on civil rights, made just after the incident in Little Rock, Arkansas, Kennedy stated it ought to be possible... for every American to enjoy the privileges of being American without regard to his race or color (web). In retrospect of history, this statement was hypocritical of his political position, as he did little to pass any new civil rights legislation. He seemed to find it adequate enough to be more strict in the enforcement of the civil rights laws already in existence.
One example illustrating the idea that Kennedy was not a true supporter of the Civil Rights Movement was the position he took on the Freedom Rides, which began in the spring of 1961 and involved African Americans travelling on Greyhound buses from Washington to New Orleans in an effort to test whether bus facilities were being desegregated (web). Although he did send federal marshals to prevent violence against the African Americans, he was furious with the Congress on Racial Equality for inviting trouble (web) by being active participants in the movement. Kennedy did, however, propose the Civil Rights Act; yet when its progress was suspended due to congressional opposition, he made little attempt in persuading congress to pass it (although it would eventually be passed by his successor, Lyndon B. Johnson). Privately, Kennedy told his supporters that real civil rights legislation would have to wait for his reelection (web). Although Kennedy did not have any success in passing bills through congress, he did succeed in passing laws through executive orders.
Many historians question why, if he was willing to do this in order to create the Peace Corps, was he not willing to also do something positive for the immediate benefit of civil rights. Another one of the more prominent examples historians point to which supports the idea that Kennedy was not a serious supporter of the Civil Rights Movement is exhibited by his lack of support for Martin Luther King, one of the biggest civil rights activists during that time, in his quest for more affirmative action in desegregation and against racism. Examples of this include Kennedys desire that King be wiretapped, as it was believed that one of his advisors may have had possible communist connections, and his attempt to convince King not to hold his March on Washington. Also, as was noted in President Kennedy: Profile of Power by Richard Reeves, there is no historical record of a meeting between Martin Luther King and John Kennedy.
Lincoln and Kennedys predecessors set the stage for the political difficulty or ease that both presidents would face concerning the issue of segregation. The actions of Pierce and Buchanan would leave a government that wanted little to no involvement in state issues and a country where the division of northern and southern opinions would soon lead to civil war. They not only left Lincoln to cope with a war, but they also left him with the responsibility of saving the Union. Contrarily, the actions of Truman and Eisenhower made an easy path for Kennedy to follow for the Civil Rights Movement, as they both publicly supported the betterment of America Truman through social welfare and Eisenhower though desegregation. The only major roadblock that was left for Kennedy to overcome was strong congressional resistance. Although Lincoln himself was not a true supporter of the abolishment of slavery, he saw it as the only way in which to bring the Union together and make it stronger.
Although he faced many obstacles from congress and the publics opinion, he used the destruction of the slave system in an attempt to re-unite America. The fact that he was not a true advocate of this movement and that the Emancipation Proclamation (the creation of which has incited many historians to give Lincoln credit for the end of slavery) did not have much effect, as it could not be enforced on the areas at which it was targeted, seems to have been overlooked by many in favor of a more optimistic, yet not necessarily factually correct, view of the thirty-fifth American president. In the same manner, the general public has adopted a more positive view of Kennedy, as most believe that he was a true advocate of the Civil Rights Movement and that he was responsible for congress passing legislation for the Civil Rights Act. However, the facts contradict this generally accepted opinion, as they show that Kennedy did little for the advancement of the Civil Rights Movement, and that some of his actions (specifically those against Martin Luther King) may have even slowed its progression. Also, most do not seem to note the fact that, although Kennedy did create the Civil Rights Act, he did little to get it through congress, and the passing of it had to wait until Lyndon Johnson became president. By examining these facts and comparing them to the generally accepted views that both Lincoln and Kennedy were advocates for the betterment of America through African American support, it can be seen that Lincoln was the false freer of the enslaved and that Kennedy was the false figurehead of the Civil Rights Movement.
Biography of James Buchanan. 7 Mar. 2002 < web >>. Harry Truman. 7 Mar. 2002 < web Domestic Affairs. htm>. John F. Kennedy: A Short Biography of the 35 th President of the United States. 6 Mar. 2002 < web >>.
John Kennedy and Civil Rights. 6 Mar. 2002 < web kennedy and civil rights. htm>. Kennedy's Domestic Agenda. 6 Mar. 2002 < web >>.
Protest Songs in the U. S. : Civil Rights and the Anti-War Movement. 6 Mar. 2002 < web >>. Reeves, Richard. President Kennedy: Profile of Power. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1993.
School Integration in Little Rock, Arkansas: Introduction. 7 Mar. 2002 < web >>. The History Place - JFK The President. 21 Mar. 2002 < web >>. Truman. 7 Mar. 2002 < web >>. Voices of the Civil Rights Era. 6 Mar. 2002 < web >>.
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Research essay sample on Martin Luther King Civil Rights Movement
