John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address, 1961

America is still in the midst of the Cold War and John F Kennedy address is not only to the American people, but to America’s allies and enemies. To his allies he pledges support in protecting free democracies. To our enemies he offers diplomacy, but with a warning that diplomacy is not a sign of weakness. And finally to the American people John F Kennedy’s most famous quote “And so my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country” Kennedy was imploring his fellow countrymen to stand up and continue to make America the best country it can be. Kennedy declared that a “new generation” was assuming leadership and he called on Americans to cast off complacency and self-indulgence and serve the common good (pg 1024).

America is in a unique place in history, our economy is strong, but we still have poverty, and there is a strong civil rights movement in the works. We are also under the threat on a nuclear war. Kennedy is challenging American’s to do more for their country to stand up against poverty, racisms and to keep the dream alive for democracy. These issues were at the fore front of the public’s minds when Kennedy is addressing them and by challenging instead of asking them, shows leadership.

Kennedy had a short legacy as president and was assassinated in 1963. He did not get to reach his full potential of presidency. His famous inaugural address is directed at the challenging times that America is facing. He was not going to back down to our enemies, but he did want to find diplomatic solutions.

I did find Kennedy’s address convincing he did not back down to our enemies, he supported our allies and he challenge the American public to do better.

GI Bill

On January 1944 Congress passed the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act or GI Bill. This one single act had a big impact on veterans, colleges and jobs that we still see today. The American Legion drafted a plan that would give military veterans loans for houses and money for college or vocational training.

                This one event had a huge impact on American society, before the act colleges were for only the white social elite and jobs like doctors and lawyers were only obtained by the privileged. After the act was passed we now had first generation college students. The veterans transformed higher education. Older, more serious and more diverse in race, class, and ethnicity, they soon crowed college classrooms (pg 966).  Men and women who had never even dreamed of going to college were now able too.

                Even though there was a significant increase in African Americans going to college, there were many that were turned away. Many schools in the south remained segregated and there were very few black colleges. Women were also uninformed about the benefits owed to them and thus did not take advantage of the GI Bill. Both African Americans and women found themselves unwelcome in veterans groups that provided information about the new benefits (pg 964).  Even though changes were made in society there was still a long way to go for the civil rights movement.

                Overall The GI Bill transformed American Universities and society to this day. Thanks to the GI Bill 67,000 doctors, 238,000 teachers, 91,000 scientist, 450,000 engineers and 240,000 accounts received an education (pg 967). From this time forward we would see more and more men and women being educated and given opportunities that they wouldn’t have had before the GI Bill. On a personal note not only will my husband be able to complete his education, my son and I will also benefit from his GI Bill.

-What could have happened to all the returning veterans if Congress would have not passed the GI Bill?

-Why do you think the GI Bill succeeded and how did it fail?