Gerald Posner, journalist and author of 'Case Closed,' discusses the JFK assassination. They explore why Oswald acted alone, the controversy surrounding the single bullet theory, Oswald's background and motivation, public opinion on the assassination, and the prevalence of conspiracy theories.
Gerald Posner argues that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in JFK's assassination, dismissing conspiracy theories.
Shift in public opinion towards conspiracy theories was fueled by distrust in the government and key events such as the murder of Oswald and the release of the Warren Commission report.
Oswald's troubled upbringing, failed missions, and desire to make his mark on history led him to assassinate President Kennedy.
Deep dives
Oswald acting alone in Kennedy assassination
Gerald Posner, an investigative journalist, argues that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Through his two-year research and interviews with experts, Posner concluded that Oswald, armed with a cheap rifle, fired the fatal shots that killed Kennedy. He dismisses conspiracy theories and believes that Oswald's motives were his own, not part of a larger plot.
Popular conspiracy theories surrounding Kennedy's assassination
Over the years, the belief in a conspiracy to assassinate President Kennedy has grown in popularity among Americans. Initially, theories speculated that Oswald acted on behalf of the Soviets or was influenced by his connection to Fidel Castro. However, as distrust toward the government grew due to events like the Vietnam War and Watergate, theories shifted to implicate elements within the CIA and FBI. The government itself became a suspect, with claims that they wanted to prevent Kennedy from ending the Vietnam War or disbanding the CIA.
Impact of key moments on shifting public opinion
Several key moments have contributed to the shift in public opinion away from the belief in a single assassin. The murder of Oswald by Jack Ruby shortly after his arrest raised suspicions and created doubt. The release of the Warren Commission report, conducted by a government-appointed committee, met with skepticism and the perception of a cover-up. The efforts of Jim Garrison, a New Orleans district attorney, and Oliver Stone's 1990 film, JFK, influenced public perception by suggesting a larger conspiracy. These events, combined with general distrust in the government, fueled the popularity of conspiracy theories surrounding Kennedy's assassination.
Oswald's Early Life and Motivation
Lee Harvey Oswald came from a dysfunctional family and had a troubled upbringing. He struggled at school, was teased, and showed signs of aggressive and passive-aggressive behavior. He joined the Marine Corps, hoping for a better life but faced bullying, which made him hate the military. Oswald then defected to the Soviet Union, disillusioned with both the US and the USSR, and eventually returned to the US. He embarked on a series of failed missions, including trying to support Castro and plotting to kill an ex-army general. Oswald's deep resentment and desire to make his mark on history led him to the sixth floor window of the Texas Book Depository, where he saw an opportunity to change the course of events by assassinating President Kennedy.
Conspiracy Theories and Lack of Evidence
Despite extensive investigations and the Warren Commission, which concluded that Oswald acted alone, many people still believe in conspiracy theories surrounding JFK's assassination. One reason for this lingering belief is the government's slow release of classified documents related to the case. The continued withholding of information has fueled suspicions and led some to think there must be a deeper truth being hidden. However, author Gerald Posner, in his book 'Case Closed,' argues that the strongest argument against a conspiracy is the lack of evidence connecting Oswald to any larger organization. The crucial seven-week period after Oswald returned from Mexico City, during which a conspiracy would have had to involve him, lacks any substantial proof or connections to support such theories.
On the 22 November 1963, President John F Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested and charged with the murder, but over the past 60 years millions of people have come to believe that Oswald was just a small cog in a wider plot to murder the president, orchestrated by a powerful group such as the CIA, the Mafia or the Cuban regime. In this new episode of Conspiracy, Rob Attar speaks to the journalist Gerald Posner whose landmark 1993 book Case Closed famously concluded that Oswald had indeed acted alone. Together they dissect the evidence from the assassination and consider why conspiracy theories about it have become so widespread.
The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.
