Dive into the captivating world of John F. Kennedy's presidency, from his youthful charisma to the weight of his political legacy. Discover his tumultuous relationship with the civil rights movement and the complex dynamics of the Cold War, including the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Explore how his health challenges and personal struggles intertwined with his leadership. Unravel the backdrop of political tension as the looming shadow of Dallas approaches, hinting at the mysterious motives behind his assassination.
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Rosemary Kennedy's Lobotomy
Rosemary Kennedy had severe learning difficulties.
Her father, Joe, had her lobotomized, which tragically destroyed her life.
insights INSIGHT
JFK's Political Appeal
JFK was a centrist Democrat, ideal for winning elections.
His war hero status, family, wealth, and glamour made him a strong candidate.
question_answer ANECDOTE
JFK Overcomes Catholicism Bias
Despite advantages, JFK faced challenges as a Catholic candidate.
He proved himself by winning primaries in Protestant states like Wisconsin and West Virginia.
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In 'Summits: Six Meetings That Shaped the Twentieth Century', David Reynolds examines six pivotal diplomatic meetings that had profound impacts on global politics. These include the Munich Agreement of 1938, the Yalta Conference, and the Camp David summit of 1978. The book provides a detailed exploration of how these summits shaped international relations during the 20th century.
Why England Slept
John F Kennedy
Written as his senior thesis at Harvard College, 'Why England Slept' by John F. Kennedy examines the miscalculations of the British leadership in the face of the rising German threat before World War II. The book explores why England was poorly prepared for the war and discusses the challenges democracies face when confronted by fascist states. It also considers whether earlier confrontation with Nazi Germany would have been more disastrous for Britain than the delay caused by appeasement policies.
The World Crisis
1911-1918
Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill
The World Crisis is Winston Churchill's six-volume account of the First World War, published between 1923 and 1931. The book is a mix of military history, diplomatic and political history, and personal memoir. Churchill vividly recounts major campaigns such as the Marne, Jutland, Verdun, and the Dardanelles, and provides detailed descriptions of the dawn of modern warfare, including trench combat, artillery, and chemical warfare. The work is highly personal and analytical, with Churchill justifying his role in the war and offering critiques of military strategies. It is considered one of Churchill's masterpieces and an essential read for understanding the twentieth century[1][3][5].
By the late 1950s, John F. Kennedy was a rich and handsome Democratic senator with a beautiful wife and young family, heading for the White House despite his Catholicism, his affairs and his secret illnesses. In January 1961 he became the youngest ever President of the United States, during a period of heightened political and social tensions at home and abroad, with the Cold War raging, communism on the rise and the Civil Rights Movement dominating the headlines. What role, then, did Kennedy’s domestic and foreign policies play in these monumental moments of world history? And does the backlash against him offer us the crucial clues to the motives behind his assassination, and the identity of his killer?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss Kennedy’s early political career, the successes and failings of his presidency, and world-shaking events such as the Bay of Pigs disaster, the Cuban missile crisis, the Space Race and the Vietnam War. All the while, Kennedy’s days are numbered as that fateful day in Dallas comes ever closer…
*Dominic’s book The Fall of the Aztecs is available now from bookshops across the UK - the perfect Christmas present!*
Twitter:
@TheRestHistory
@holland_tom
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Producer: Theo Young-Smith
Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor
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The Rest Is History 
