Virtual JFK: John F. Kennedy And The Vietnam War
Virtual JFK offers an excellent view into how John F. Kennedy made decisions to keep Americans from being involved in communist conflict. However, from the name of the documentary and the introduction I had believed the documentary would offer an actual perspective on what actions John F. Kennedy would have taken after November 22, 1963. Instead, I found the documentary to be a well put together inside view on the Presidency of Kennedy, an overview of the Johnson administration, and the often untold information of how Johnson was affected.
Some of the more interesting historical perspectives I gained from the film were that Kennedy repeatedly kept American troops out of combat involvement with communist troops. The Western capitalists
or the Soviet communists wanted a nuclear war, but that did not stop American and Soviet politicians from wanting to fight proxy wars with conventional warfare. Such was the case in the US funded planned overthrow of the Castro government at the Bay of Pigs. Many American politicians, especially the Republicans wanted Kennedy to authorize US Marines to assist the rebels and overthrow the government. However, Kennedy feared that the Soviets would take over Western Berlin and the escalation of a full-blown war.
The film has a bias of showcasing the morally good actions of Kennedy involving US military involvement in foreign affairs. However, the film does not highlight how the US aided Cuban rebellion against the Castro government failed because the US did not fully commit to it. Additionally, nearly all of the rebels were killed and would have had a greater chance for success if the US had provided Marine reinforcements. Though, the complexity of the situation and the risk of Soviet involvement in Western Berlin and military retaliation called for caution from Kennedy.
Though the film ended up being far different than what I was expecting it to be, I thoroughly enjoyed it as it highlight the severe opposition Kennedy faced regarding his passive actions towards the Soviets and the Vietnamese nationalists. Since the film presents actual video of Kennedy, his administration, Johnson, and his administration as well, then it is historically factual. I do not believed the film initially made Kennedy look good nor Johnson look bad and as a victim, though from the way the information is presented it allows the viewer to make this realization.
With significant opposition from both fellow Democrats and Republicans degrading interaction Vietnam, is there any validity to the conspiracy theory that the government killed Kennedy?
Some of the more interesting historical perspectives I gained from the film were that Kennedy repeatedly kept American troops out of combat involvement with communist troops. The Western capitalists
or the Soviet communists wanted a nuclear war, but that did not stop American and Soviet politicians from wanting to fight proxy wars with conventional warfare. Such was the case in the US funded planned overthrow of the Castro government at the Bay of Pigs. Many American politicians, especially the Republicans wanted Kennedy to authorize US Marines to assist the rebels and overthrow the government. However, Kennedy feared that the Soviets would take over Western Berlin and the escalation of a full-blown war.
The film has a bias of showcasing the morally good actions of Kennedy involving US military involvement in foreign affairs. However, the film does not highlight how the US aided Cuban rebellion against the Castro government failed because the US did not fully commit to it. Additionally, nearly all of the rebels were killed and would have had a greater chance for success if the US had provided Marine reinforcements. Though, the complexity of the situation and the risk of Soviet involvement in Western Berlin and military retaliation called for caution from Kennedy.
Though the film ended up being far different than what I was expecting it to be, I thoroughly enjoyed it as it highlight the severe opposition Kennedy faced regarding his passive actions towards the Soviets and the Vietnamese nationalists. Since the film presents actual video of Kennedy, his administration, Johnson, and his administration as well, then it is historically factual. I do not believed the film initially made Kennedy look good nor Johnson look bad and as a victim, though from the way the information is presented it allows the viewer to make this realization.
With significant opposition from both fellow Democrats and Republicans degrading interaction Vietnam, is there any validity to the conspiracy theory that the government killed Kennedy?