The Assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Conspiracy Theories. by N. Haynes. Submitted to J. Minichino. for Criminal Investigation

Transcription

1 The Assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy Conspiracy Theories by N. Haynes Submitted to J. Minichino for Criminal Investigation CJ 1340 Salt Lake Community College Spring, 2013

2 Table of Contents Title Page Table of Contents Introduction Biography Assassination Warren Commission Conspiracies Conclusion Bibliography

3 JFK Assassination Conspiracy Theories Introduction On November 22, 1963 at approximately 1230 hrs, the President of the United States was assassinated. This seems to be the first and last known and agreed upon fact of the case. From the moment of assassination forward there are a vast number of theories. There is the official government reporting of facts, but this has never been accepted as truth by many of the American public and media. Conspiracy theories bound, they come from all corners and question every aspect of the case. The actions of the President which may have resulted in his assassination, whether Oswald acted alone or in tandem with another shooter are just a couple of the most popular questions. Many also wonder if there was a conspiracy set forth and orchestrated by political rivals to kill the president and even more so if there was a conspiracy to cover the facts of the assassination designed to protect the identity of powerful involved parties. As these and other theories have been pondered the possibilities seem to have exploded and the facts have become less clear. Fifty years later, wild theories about massive conspiracies involving secret societies, underground organizations and even aliens from outer space abound. When polled, few Americans have a clear understanding of the case and every aspect is subject to question. This essay will explore the known facts surrounding the case and address several of the more relevant questions and theories.

4 The Man John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in Massachusetts on May 29, He was the second of nine children and as a child was often called Jack. JFK was a small and sickly child who always struggled in his attempts to compete with his older brother Joe. JFK's father, Joseph was supportive and encouraged hard work and perseverance. John Kennedy did acceptably well in school and entered Harvard in 1936 t study law. After graduation JFK joined the Navy and entered Wold War II. JFK was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and given command of a patrol boat designated PT-109. The patrol, sinking and rescue of PT-109 and her crew was made int a popular movie. After returning from the war and dealing with the death of his older brother Jack (who had been a pilot and died while at war) JFK decided to enter politics. In 1946 he was elected to the Massachusetts Congress and six years later in 1952 to the United States Senate. As a Democratic Senator JFK wrote a book titled Profiles in Courage which won a Pulitzer Prize in During his years in the Senate his political popularity grew. In 1960, at age 43 John F. Kennedy was elected the 35 th President of the United States. JFK bore the distinction of being the youngest President ever elected and the first Catholic. The President In JFK's inaugural address he uttered his most famous words, Ask not what your country can do for

5 you, but what you can do for your country. JFK wishes for all Americans to participate in their democracy and to lead the world in the fight against the common enemies of man (tyranny, poverty and war). One theory of JFK's assassination considers that this success upset the proponents of a first strike policy. President Kennedy was known as a hard worker and spent much of his time and thought mitigating the constantly arising situations with the Soviet Union which could have resulted in nuclear war. JFK also had domestic challenges. One of the largest was implementing desegregation. The law had been passed but policy, practice and bias was yet to be overcome. The president also believed in charity and created the Peace Corps which still today allows the generosity and good will of the American people to be spread around the World to people in need. Another huge initiative for the President was to land a man on the moon. The Act The President arrived in Dallas at Love field. JFK, the First Lady and Texas Governor John Connally embarked on that fateful ten mile trip into downtown Dallas which was scheduled to end a the Trade Mart for a luncheon. As the presidential motorcade turned off Main St. at Daly Plaza the Presidential Motorcade came under fire. The president was struck in the head and neck and Governor Connally was hit in the chest. The President was transported to Parkland Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Approximately one hour after the assassination Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested for the assassination. Oswald was a recently hired employee of the Texas School Book Depository, the building where the

6 shots were assumed to have originated from. Oswald himself was assassinated two days later by a local business proprietor and died at the same hospital as President Kennedy. The Warren Commission On November 29, 1963 President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy. This committee came to be know as the Warren Commission. The findings of this report seem to substantially conclude that Oswald was the lone perpetrator of the crime. Evidence suggests that all shots were fired by Oswald and the murder weapon was owned by Oswald. There is almost (but not quite) eye witness accounts of Oswald committing the act. The report state clearly there is no connection between Oswald, Ruby and any conspiracy whatsoever. The CIA Theory One of the most popular conspiracies is one that states the CIA assassinated JFK. This has become such a popular theory that the CIA has a page on its web site dedicated to discrediting the theory and denying any involvement. JFK and the CIA had an ongoing disagreement about the plausibility, practicality and morality of assassinating the leaders of countries for political or positional advantage. Some believe that the assignation of JFK by the CIA could have not only been an attempt at resolving a contentious point and affecting policy in their favor but a warning to all leaders forign and domestic that they were not immune from the true powers at play. The fact that JFK's brother Robert Kennedy was in control of the CIA can either be seen as a detractor from this theory or a possible reason for the development of the conspiracy depending on ones viewpoint.

7 The Israel Theory This theory is one of the least pleasant but most plausible theories to consider. As President JFK opposed Israel obtaining nuclear weapons. Due to the constant threats to Israels security the Prime Minister of Israel was of the opinion that Israel should have nukes immediately. The Mossad is without question one if not the most accomplished and capable intelligence agencies in the world. Subsequent to the assassination of JFK, President Johnson reversed the policy and supported Israel aquiring nuclear weapons. This fact seems to support this theory. Additionally, an ex Israel spy named Vanunu has publicly stated that Israel was behind the assassination. An interesting note about this theory is that while there is none more capable, Israel in about the only possible perpetrator who has never been considered. The KGB Theory Due to the Cold War and the era in general who wouldn't consider the KGB? This intelligence agency is perhaps the original axis of evil on the world stage. Their power and ruthlessness still affect the world stage greatly today even though the KGB has been long disbanded.(see Vladimir Putin) What adds to the intrigue with this theory is the connections of Oswald with the Soviet Union. Oswald spent time in the Soviet union, married a Soviet wife and had met with Soviet government officials. The Cuban Missile Crisis was about as humiliating an event as could befall a country engaged in a cold war and was surely reason enough for revenge or to feel the need for a leadership change in the United States.

8 Conclusion By most accounts president John F. Kennedy was a good man and a great President from one of America's most iconic and beloved families. JFK stood for peace, charity, love and strength in the face of adversity. He encouraged the country to strive for bigger and better things in all aspects of life. As I write of him today his legacy lives and grows as the legacies of very few other men in history. While the circumstances surrounding his death continue to inspire debate and may never be explained, all are able to understand that the loss to the United States and the World was, and is great. President Kennedy embodied the epitome of American exceptionalism.

9 Bibliography