Reference no: EM133683759
Assignment:
The presidency of John F. Kennedy was one that captured the imagination of a generation of Americans because of the idealistic view many Americans had of the administration. Later called "Camelot", many Americans looked upon the handsome young president, with his beautiful wife and two small children, as being the aspirational ideal for American society brought to life. However, all of that came crashing down with the assassination of President Kennedy in November, 1963. Explore the Kennedy presidency and the assassination by studying the sources linked below. Then, use what you have learned to answer the questions that follow.
Source One: the Kennedy Presidency
Source Two: Death of the President (JFK Presidential Library, linked HERE)
Source Three: Video-Immediate Reaction to the Announcement of Kennedy's Death
Source Four: Video-Reactions to Kennedy's Death, the Funeral, and Aftermath (the American Experience-PBS)
VIDEO LINKED HERE
Source Five: Original Footage of Kennedy's Funeral (broadcast on television)
QUESTIONS:
1) Describe the reaction of ordinary Americans to the assassination of President Kennedy. Support your answer with evidence from the sources.
2) What do you think was the impact of television on the way this event was received by Americans and their reaction to the event? Support your answer with evidence
3) Why do you think so many Americans look back on Kennedy's presidency with such an idealistic view, and how do you think the assassination influences that view? Support your answer with evidence.
4) If you had been an American living at that time, how do you think you would have reacted to the assassination? Explain your answer.