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News in Review – January 2014 – Teacher Resource Guide JFK: 72 Hours that Changed America SETTING THE STAGE September 11, 2001 will always remain a defining moment in history for millions. Shock and disbelief still affect those old enough to remember this horrible tragedy. For an earlier generation the event that had a similar impact was November 22, 1963. It was 50 years ago in Dallas, Texas that John F. Kennedy (JFK), a young, vibrant president was assassinated. The world was stunned, and for four days, millions stayed by their television sets watching coverage of the events. A suspect was soon arrested but was just as quickly murdered. These horrible events set off a series of conspiracy theories that questioned how one person could successfully kill the most powerful man in the world and how the alleged assassin could also be killed so soon after his arrest. JFK’s White House years Kennedy had been U.S. president for only three years when he was assassinated. Elected to the office at the age of 43, he was seen as a bright light who would usher in a new decade of prosperity and peace. He had all the required characteristics: a war hero who had saved many of his crew from a gun boat sunk by the Japanese in World War II; a Harvard University graduate; a member of a powerful family with a father that had been U.S. Ambassador to Britain; husband to a beautiful and dignified wife; and the first Catholic president. Though his tenure as president was short, Kennedy had dealt with major crises, including confronting the Russians over their installation of nuclear missiles in Cuba. The president demanded the Russians remove the missiles and ordered a blockade of the island. The Cuban Missile Crisis ended when the Russians backed down. Kennedy also faced the emotional issue of segregation. On more than one occasion during this turbulent time in the U.S. civil rights movement, Kennedy ordered the police and national guard to protect black protesters and News in Review ∙ CBC Learning ∙ newsinreview.cbclearning.ca 18 JANUARY 2014 — JFK: 72 HOURS THAT CHANGED AMERICA students. By 1963 he was gearing up for the upcoming presidential election, confident he would win a second term. To help solidify his support in the south, he agreed to travel to Texas. Big crowds in Dallas On Friday, November 22 Air Force One, the presidential plane, landed in sunny Dallas. The president and Mrs. Kennedy were pleasantly surprised to see a large friendly crowd greet them as they descended from the plane. There had been concerns that there might be protests against the president. One organization had even printed wanted posters of the president. Considering the friendly crowds and the beautiful weather, the president insisted on leaving down the presidential limousine’s bubble top, normally raised for his protection. Along the route, the crowds cheered the presidential couple. Texas Governor John Connolly, seated just ahead of the president, was prompted to lean back and say, “Mr. President, you can't say Dallas doesn't love you.” It sounded like firecrackers Shortly thereafter the presidential cavalcade passed the Texas Book Depository. As the car passed a road sign a loud noise reverberated in the square. Some people thought firecrackers had been lit. However to the secret service agents riding behind the president the sound was all too familiar — a gun shot. The president grabbed his throat and leaned towards Mrs. Kennedy. Almost immediately a second shot was fired and the president was struck in the head. His skull exploded and he fell against Mrs. Kennedy. She crawled onto the back of the car, but a secret service agent pushed her back into the limousine. He spread-eagled himself across the back seat to try and protect the couple. It was only at this point that he realized that not only had the president been shot but also the Texas governor. Kennedy’s last moments The limousine sped up and headed for Parkland Hospital where doctors were told to prepare to attend a gunshot victim. The president was removed from the car and taken to the emergency room where a number of physicians worked to stabilize him. However, it quickly became apparent that the gunshot had done severe damage and there was little hope of saving the president. Two priests were summoned to provide the president with the last rites. At approximately 1:08 the president was pronounced dead. Vice President Lyndon Johnson was quickly taken back to Air Force One where he was administered the oath of office and became the 36th president of the United States. Shock around the world All across the U.S. and around the world, people reacted with shock and dismay. This event so traumatized people that most can even today remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news. People immediately turned on their televisions for the latest news. For the next 48 hours millions were transfixed by the images and news reported from Dallas. Shortly after President Kennedy was shot the police forces began searching for suspects. A number of people in the plaza where the shooting had taken place indicated shots had been fired from the sixth floor of the Texas Textbook Depository. Other witnesses reported they heard shots coming from the grassy knoll located ahead of the presidential car. Police searched the sixth floor of the depository and found a rifle and boxes stacked as a perch where a person could aim the rifle. Police were able to account for all the employees except one — Lee Harvey Oswald. News in Review ∙ CBC Learning ∙ newsinreview.cbclearning.ca 19 JANUARY 2014 — JFK: 72 HOURS THAT CHANGED AMERICA Oswald once a defector A second assassination Oswald had been a member of the Marines and was considered a good marksman. He had left the Marines after becoming disillusioned with the military and American foreign policy. He defected to communist Russia. The Russians were suspicious of Oswald and thought he might be an American spy. While in Russia Oswald met a Russian girl and married her. After a brief time he decided that he wanted to return to the United States. When he returned, he joined the Fair Treatment for Cuba organization that demanded the American government stop its aggressive actions towards Cuba and its economic boycott. On Sunday in Dallas the next chapter in this drama would take place. The police announced that they intended to move Oswald to a more secure location. The press were allowed to witness the transfer; the downstairs garage was filled with television cameras, news broadcasters and the police. In front of a worldwide audience, Oswald was led out towards an armoured car when a figure lunged from the crowd and fired. As pandemonium ensued, police grabbed the shooter (later identified as local nightclub owner Jack Ruby). Oswald was rushed to the same hospital where President Kennedy had been treated. Doctors worked on Oswald but were unable to save him. Within two days, a president had been assassinated and his alleged shooter had also been killed. This was fertile ground for conspiracy theorists (see following page). Oswald had left the depository before the police arrived. They issued an all-points bulletin. When he was spotted by J.D. Tippit, a police officer who confronted him, Oswald pulled out a pistol and killed the officer. He hurriedly moved on and entered a movie theatre. The police were informed, and when they confronted Oswald, he tried to shoot the arresting officer but his gun jammed. The police took Oswald to the Dallas police station and charged him with the murders of Officer Tippit and President Kennedy. Oswald denied he killed anyone and claimed he was framed for these crimes. The end of Camelot The assassination of President Kennedy affected Americans who saw this event as a loss of innocence. During Kennedy’s early years in the White House many commentators compared this youthful president and his young family to the happy, prosperous leaders of the mythical Official mourning begins Meanwhile President Kennedy’s body was flown back to Washington and plans were made for his funeral. His body lay in state in the White House, and the next day it was taken to Capitol Hill where thousands of citizens paid their respects. A full state funeral was scheduled for Monday, November 25. Many people watched as Mrs. Kennedy and her children accompanied the body to the Capitol and knelt by the coffin. All were amazed with the composure Mrs. Kennedy exhibited during these difficult moments. News in Review ∙ CBC Learning ∙ newsinreview.cbclearning.ca 20 JANUARY 2014 — JFK: 72 HOURS THAT CHANGED AMERICA kingdom of Camelot. Now it seemed that positive elements of that time died with the president. Would history have been changed if Kennedy had lived? Would the U.S. have gotten involved in the devastating war in Vietnam? Would civil rights have been implemented sooner with this president? These are the “ifs” of history and one can only speculate. Yet no one can deny that the events of 50 years ago still impact a generation who will never forget where they were on that horrible day. Was Oswald a lone gunman? Over the decades discussions of President Kennedy’s death have often focused on whether or not Oswald was the assassin, if he acted on his own, if he was part of a larger conspiracy, or if he was set up and silenced. Conspiracy theories have included: Organized Crime When he was a senator, Kennedy was involved in committee hearings investigating organized crime. JFK and his brother Robert pressured members of the mob and exposed many of their illegal activities. Threats had been made against the Kennedys and some theorists feel the mob used Oswald and then had him silenced by Ruby. The Cuban Connection In 1959 the Cuban dictator was overthrown and replaced by populist guerrilla leader Fidel Castro. At first Castro sought friendly relations with the United States. However he resented American interference and soon aligned Cuba with communist Russia. In 1961 President Kennedy approved an invasion of Cuban exiles against the Castro regime. However the exiles were defeated at the Bay of Pigs, with many either killed or captured. Again, conspiracy theorists suggest that Castro wanted revenge and recruited Oswald, a known sympathizer to assassinate the president. The Grassy Knoll When the first film reports of the assassination were shown, a number of people were seen pointing to the grassy knoll that was located further down the street from the book depository. Witnesses claimed they had heard shots come from that direction. This theory seemed to be supported by film taken by a bystander which showed the president grabbing his throat after the first shot and his head jerking back after the second shot. This head movement convinced some that a shot had come from the front of the car. News in Review ∙ CBC Learning ∙ newsinreview.cbclearning.ca 21 JANUARY 2014 — JFK: 72 HOURS THAT CHANGED AMERICA VIDEO REVIEW Pre-viewing 1. What do you consider to be the most significant event in your life? What criteria did you use to identify the event? 2. When a mysterious or traumatic event occurs people often tend to reject simple answers and seek more complicated answers. Why do you think people act in this manner? While viewing 1. What impressions do you have of John F. Kennedy as you watch the video? What image did he present? 2. Why was the assassination seen as more than just the unfortunate death of a person? 3. As you listen to the video how can you tell that this event had a profound impact on people? 4. What consequences did the assassination have on the city of Dallas? News in Review ∙ CBC Learning ∙ newsinreview.cbclearning.ca 22 JANUARY 2014 — JFK: 72 HOURS THAT CHANGED AMERICA Post-viewing 1. a) Since his assassination, JFK has been idolized as a young, vibrant leader struck down in the prime of his life and presidency. Does he deserve this place in history? Interpretations have changed over the decades. Examine the editorial written the day after his death and compare it to the one written in 2013. Attributes listed in 1963 Attributes listed in 2013 Possible sources Editorial in 1963: www.washingtonpost.com/r/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2013/11/19/EditorialOpinion/Graphics/historynov23.pdf Assessment in 2013: millercenter.org/president/kennedy/essays/biography/9 b) How was he judged in 1963? Has that opinion changed in 2013? 2. It did not take long after the assassination for conspiracy theories to be developed. Assess the theories summarized on the website below. Use the accompanying organizer to help you. Theory Arguments presented Problems with the theory (if any) Who killed JFK? 50 years of conspiracy theories: www.theweek.co.uk/us/jfk-anniversary/55933/who-killed-jfk-50-years-conspiracy-theories News in Review ∙ CBC Learning ∙ newsinreview.cbclearning.ca 23 JANUARY 2014 — JFK: 72 HOURS THAT CHANGED AMERICA b) Do you think JFK’s assassination was a conspiracy? If so, which theory do you think is the most convincing? c) Examine this site supporting the theory that Oswald acted alone: oswald-is-guilty.blogspot.ca/. What do you believe? 3. The assassination is being officially commemorated in the United States yet many Canadians also paused to reflect on the event. Why would Canadians care about event that took place in another country? 4. Is there a current leader who you think matches the charisma of Kennedy and whose death would have a similar impact? 5. Try to find someone who was living in 1963 and ask if they remember where they were when Kennedy was killed. What recollections does the person have of those days in 1963? News in Review ∙ CBC Learning ∙ newsinreview.cbclearning.ca 24