US History - Standards of Learning - USII.21
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/johnfkennedyinaugural.htm
By listening to arguably one of the greatest orators in United States Presidential history, students can analyze President John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address from 1961. The students should try to identify the themes President Kennedy reiterates through out his speech. How does he address the nations of the World? What are President Kennedy’s goals? By listening to President Kennedy’s speech, reading the transcript of his speech, and then analyzing the content, students should identify the U.S. policies of dealing with the communist countries that posed a threat or were considered enemies of the United States and its’ allies.
William Connolly
USII.21.001
2. *Aerial Photograph of Missiles in Cuba (1962)
During John F. Kennedy’s administration, the world held its breath during the crisis which occurred when the Soviet Union sent nuclear missiles to Cuba. On October 22, 1962, in a nationally televised speech, Kennedy told Americans that the Soviet Union was building secret missile bases in Cuba. Premier Nikita Khrushchev had promised to defend Cuba with Soviet weapons. In response, President Kennedy warned that the United States would not accept offensive nuclear weapons in Cuba. He demanded that Khrushchev remove all missile bases from Cuba, and he ordered a naval quarantine of Cuba to prevent additional supplies from coming in. For seven days, Americans faced the possibility of nuclear war. On October 28, Khrushchev conceded to Kennedy’s demands. This is a photograph taken by U.S. army spy planes that reveal nuclear missile sites in Cuba.
Students will analyze the photo to understand what happened in the Cuban missile crisis and the importance of aerial reconnaissance.
- Create a timeline of events that led up to this photograph. Use a photograph analysis form to record additional information on.
- Student Activity: Conduct an interview of someone who lived through the Cuban missile crisis to develop a historical perspective on the crisis that brought the Soviet Union and the United States to the brink of nuclear war.
3. “The 1960’s”
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/presiden/inaug/kennedy.htm
This Inaugural Address by President Kennedy outlined his plan to continue to oppose any threat to the United States. In this address Kennedy calls for the youth of the U.S. to step forward assume responsibility and contribute to the country.
4. Video—JFK Inaugural Address (2 Parts)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE0iPY7XGBo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s6U8GActdQ
Two part video clip showing JFK’s inaugural speech. This speech set the
stage for the ambitious domestic and foreign policies of the administration.
On a side note, JFK appears without a hat, despite the low temperatures,
this is often cited as the beginning of the end as the hat as a male fashion
accessory.
-Christopher Borden
