‘Kennedy’s greatest mistakes were in his appointments rather than in his policies.’ Assess the validity of this view.
Level
A Level
Year Examined
2022
Topic
The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945–1980
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‘Kennedy’s greatest mistakes were in his appointments rather than in his policies.’ Assess the validity of this view.
Kennedy’s greatest mistakes were in his appointments rather than in his policies.’ Assess the validity of this view.
John F. Kennedy’s Presidency (1961-1963) was tragically cut short, making it difficult to assess his successes and failures. He is often viewed as an inspiring figure who promised hope and change with his New Frontier program, yet his Presidency was also marked by foreign policy blunders such as the Bay of Pigs invasion. Whether his poor decisions were a result of flawed appointments or his own shortcomings as a leader is a matter of debate.
Arguments supporting the view that Kennedy’s greatest mistakes were in his appointments often focus on figures like Robert McNamara (Secretary of Defense) and McGeorge Bundy (National Security Advisor). McNamara, with his background in statistical analysis rather than military experience, epitomized the "whiz kid" approach to government. He advocated for increased involvement in Vietnam and a build-up of nuclear armaments, contributing to the escalation of the Cold War. Similarly, Bundy, lacking experience in foreign policy, played a key role in pushing for the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion and the escalation in Vietnam. These appointments reflect Kennedy's preference for intellectual brilliance over practical experience, which arguably led to miscalculations on the world stage.
Furthermore, Kennedy’s decision to retain J. Edgar Hoover as the Director of the FBI is often cited as a major error. Hoover, a powerful and controversial figure, used his position to amass compromising information on numerous politicians, including Kennedy himself. This gave him significant leverage and allowed him to operate with virtual impunity. Hoover’s staunch opposition to the Civil Rights Movement also hampered Kennedy’s efforts to advance racial equality. The President, wary of challenging Hoover openly, allowed him to remain in place, demonstrating how a flawed appointment could constrain Kennedy's actions and undermine his agenda.
However, focusing solely on Kennedy's appointments risks overlooking his own responsibility for policy decisions. Kennedy's determination to overthrow Fidel Castro in Cuba led to the Bay of Pigs fiasco. The plan itself, inherited from the Eisenhower administration, was poorly conceived, but Kennedy's ultimate decision to proceed despite mounting concerns highlights his own flawed judgment. Moreover, Kennedy's performance at the Vienna Summit with Khrushchev in 1961 was widely perceived as hesitant and weak, further emboldening Soviet aggression. These examples suggest that Kennedy's own inexperience and miscalculations on the world stage contributed significantly to foreign policy setbacks, irrespective of his advisors.
Furthermore, Kennedy made significant strides in other areas, often thanks to shrewd appointments. His decision to appoint his brother, Robert F. Kennedy, as Attorney General proved highly effective. Under Robert Kennedy's leadership, the Justice Department intensified its efforts against organized crime and actively supported the Civil Rights Movement, intervening decisively in events like the Freedom Rides and James Meredith's integration of the University of Mississippi. Similarly, Sargent Shriver, brother-in-law to Kennedy and head of the Peace Corps, proved to be an exceptionally capable administrator who helped shape Kennedy's vision for a more just and equitable world.
Finally, the choice of Lyndon B. Johnson as Vice President, while perhaps primarily a political calculation, had significant policy ramifications. Johnson's experience and understanding of Congress proved invaluable in navigating the legislative process, helping to advance elements of Kennedy's New Frontier program. While Johnson's subsequent escalation of the Vietnam War is often seen as a continuation of Kennedy's policies, it is also plausible that Kennedy, had he lived, might have chosen a different path.
In conclusion, while Kennedy undeniably made some questionable appointments that contributed to policy failures, particularly in the realm of foreign policy, attributing all his shortcomings to his advisors presents an overly simplistic view. Kennedy's own inexperience and at times flawed judgment played a significant role in key decisions. Moreover, some of his appointments, notably Robert Kennedy and Sargent Shriver, proved highly effective and advanced his domestic agenda. Ultimately, Kennedy's legacy is a complex mix of accomplishment and unfulfilled potential, shaped by both the strengths and weaknesses of his leadership as well as the choices he made in surrounding himself with advisors.
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Kennedy’s greatest mistakes were in his appointments rather than in his policies. Assess the validity of this view.
This essay will argue that while Kennedy made significant errors in judgement with certain policy decisions, his greatest mistakes were in his appointments. While some appointees were successful in their roles, others proved disastrously unqualified or had agendas that conflicted with Kennedy’s own. This essay will examine both sides of the argument, analyzing the evidence for and against the view that Kennedy’s appointments were his most significant failings.
Arguments supporting the view:
The appointment of Robert McNamara as Secretary of Defense was particularly problematic. Driven by statistical analysis rather than experience, McNamara’s policies led to increased US involvement in Vietnam. His emphasis on building up America’s nuclear arsenal also contributed to the escalation of the Cold War.
Kennedy’s repeated appointment of racist judges, such as William Harold Cox, in the South was a significant impediment to the development of the civil rights movement. These appointments demonstrated Kennedy’s willingness to appease the South at the expense of justice.
McGeorge Bundy, Kennedy’s National Security Advisor, also lacked any significant political experience. Bundy was instrumental in persuading Kennedy to go ahead with the Bay of Pigs Invasion, a miscalculation that caused significant damage to Kennedy’s reputation. He was also a key figure in the escalation of the Vietnam War.
Kennedy’s decision to keep J. Edgar Hoover as Head of the FBI was a critical error. Hoover was a powerful figure who used his position to undermine the civil rights movement and interfered with Kennedy’s attempts at reform. He also had a hold over Kennedy due to knowledge of his personal affairs.
Arguments challenging the view:
Kennedy’s appointment of his brother Robert as Attorney General was undeniably controversial, but Bobby Kennedy’s tenure was not entirely negative. Under his leadership, convictions for organized crime increased by 800%. He also repeatedly intervened on the side of the civil rights movement during events like the Freedom Rides and over James Meredith’s admission to the University of Mississippi. His role in these events demonstrates a commitment to social justice.
Kennedy did make critical errors in policy, such as the Bay of Pigs invasion and his stance at the Vienna Conference. Domestically, he struggled to get welfare legislation passed. However, these errors did not stem from his appointments, but rather from his own decisions.
Sargent Shriver, appointed as the administrator of the Peace Corps, was a highly efficient and capable leader. He was influential in pushing Kennedy to prioritize the welfare aspects of the New Frontier, contributing to the success of this program.
The appointment of Lyndon B. Johnson as Vice President was a politically strategic move that helped Kennedy win the 1960 election. Johnson’s Southern background and political expertise proved invaluable in getting bills passed through Congress. His experience helped in securing the support of the Dixiecrats, a crucial bloc of votes.
Conclusion:
While Kennedy’s policies had significant flaws, his appointments, particularly those to key positions in the administration, had a profound impact on his presidency. The lack of experience and the presence of conflicting agendas within his administration undoubtedly contributed to some of his greatest failures. Ultimately, Kennedy’s mistakes were a result of a combination of factors, including his own decisions and the influence of his appointees. While the impact of his appointments cannot be ignored, it is important to acknowledge that Kennedy was ultimately responsible for the choices he made.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
Arguments Supporting the View that Kennedy's Greatest Mistakes Were in His Appointments Rather Than in His Policies
Arguments supporting the view that Kennedy's greatest mistakes were in his appointments rather than in his policies might include:
⭐Kennedy's appointment of Robert McNamara was an error, heavily driven by statistical analysis rather than experience – he advocated for increased involvement in Vietnam and for building up deterrence in armaments, exacerbating the Cold War.
⭐Kennedy repeatedly appointed racist judges, such as William Harold Cox, in the South, which hampered the civil rights movement.
⭐Like McNamara, McGeorge Bundy was an appointment from outside politics to a key role as National Security Adviser where he was instrumental in persuading Kennedy to go ahead with the Bay of Pigs invasion and with escalation in Vietnam.
⭐Kennedy's decision to keep Hoover as Head of the FBI was an error. Hoover was a powerful and entrenched figure who stymied the civil rights movement and had a hold over Kennedy owing to knowledge of his affairs.
Arguments Challenging the View that Kennedy's Greatest Mistakes Were in His Appointments Rather Than in His Policies
Arguments challenging the view that Kennedy's greatest mistakes were in his appointments rather than in his policies might include:
⭐Kennedy's appointments included his brother as Attorney General. Under Bobby Kennedy convictions for organised crime increased 800% and he repeatedly intervened on the side of the civil rights movement in the Freedom Rides, over James Meredith's admittance to the University of Mississippi.
⭐Kennedy made significant errors of policy, including the Bay of Pigs invasion and his stance at the Vienna Conference. Domestically he struggled to get Welfare legislation passed.
⭐Sargent Shriver was an efficient administrator of the Peace Corps and was influential in pushing Kennedy to focus on the welfare aspects of the New Frontier.
⭐Choosing Johnson as his Vice President helped win Kennedy the 1960 election and helped get bills through Congress. As a southern politician he could relate to the Dixiecrats and as a seasoned politician knew how to get legislation moving.