JFK's Legacy as a Model for Student Leadership

Introduction: Kennedy's Historic Significance

The death of President John F. Kennedy impacted not just all of America but most of the world. John F. Kennedy was the first and only Catholic President of the United States, and in that distinction alone he broke through many of the ethnic, religious, and cultural barriers that had stymied other candidates. Moreover, Kennedy symbolized the triumph of the American Dream. His Irish Catholic heritage differentiated him from every previous president who had come from a Protestant background, and the controversy surrounding his election proves that he overcame forms of prejudice other leaders had yet to face.

In addition to his unique background, Kennedy signified a new direction in American politics. He was a liberal Democrat who helped define the future of the Democratic Party. His political philosophy would transform the nature of the party and shape its relationships with business interests and other lobbying groups.

Kennedy and Civil Rights in the 1960s

One way John F. Kennedy changed American politics was through his work on civil rights. During the social revolutions of the 1960s, Kennedy did not resist the youth movement — rather, he recognized the new ways of thinking that characterized youth culture in America. Young people became more enthusiastic about politics as a result of his influence. Because Kennedy was relatively young compared with his colleagues, American youth could relate to him in ways they could not to his political opponents.

The 1960 election earned Kennedy the presidency over his opponent Richard Nixon. Even though Nixon would eventually become president, Kennedy had already proven himself a worthy leader and a champion of civil liberties.