Sample Quickwrites Receiving Grades of "A"
A successful administration consists of many things. One of the most important would be giving all the people of America and maybe even in other countries the hope they need to go on in such a time as the cold war. It should give the people an energy to live happily and successfully. A successful administration should get things done, or at least attempt to get things done, that was promised. He should take care of domestic business and foreign issues without violence or war if possible. A successful administration consists of so many things, which I feel Kennedy accomplished.
Kennedy was a young, energetic, and confident man. He was a part of the new generation of Americans. He wasn't afraid of failure. He brought so much hope and energy to the American people; they loved him.
Kennedy got many foreign issues addressed. The Bay of Pigs was his first failure; however, he was man enough to take the whole blame on himself. For a president to do such a thing shows much courage.
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a huge success for Kennedy. Even though it looked onto the brink of war, Kennedy used his skillful tactics and achieved the goal of making Kruschev remove the missiles from Cuba. The extra plus to this was that the goal was achieved without war. It even made the relationship between Kruschev and the U.S. better than it had been anytime since WWII.
Civil Rights issues and Poverty issues were very high on the President's list. He was dedicated to solving those problems, which I think all presidents should do. He supported most all civil rights actions and tried so hard to get things though Congress.
Social Reform wasn't one of Kennedy's best achievements, but he did get things done, or at least tried, which is the main issue. Kennedy even tried to better the economy.
Overall, I would rate Kennedy very high because he was a wonderful president. He gave hope to everyone and released a certain energy that people could better the world if only they made it happen. He not only got things done that (he) promised but also attempted to do many other things as well. Just the action of attempt shows you that the president at least tried, which many other presidents would never have. Kennedy tried to look at all problems, and tried to fix all problems. Another important factor is the fact that you know the American people loved him and respected (him). Just look at the reaction when he died. People mourned for days. It was so sad to see this young, energetic president that brought so much to the American people, not be able to finish things up. I feel Kennedy accomplished a 'successful administration' in which he never lived long enough to see for himself.
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In the 1960s to be a successful president one would have to be a strong leader in regards to foreign policy as the Cold War was at its worst, as well as being a respected domestic leader to the people. Kennedy's presidency may not have been great, but foreign and domestic, it was successful.
As he replaced Eisenhower, Kruschev and the Soviet Union saw in Kennedy someone who they could gain leverage in the Cold War over. Kennedy, however, proved to be one of the strongest defenders against communism, given the name by Moss in the text as a ' cold warrior.' The first test for Kennedy was in Cuba. Knowing the Soviets had built up a supply of missiles he did not do the rash thing and send in troops right away. Instead he was prudent, he set up a naval blockade and waited until Kruschev blinked first and withdrew the missiles from Cuba.
In Berlin, 1961, the Soviets set up the wall dividing the two halves of the city. This act, though tragic, also shows the success of Kennedy's foreign policy. He kept up the support of West Berlin, no matter what pressure the Soviets put on him, and in the end saved democracy for that part of the city.
The crowning accomplishment of Kennedy's foreign policy, however, was the Test Ban Treaty. Signed by the U.S. and the Soviets in 1963, it began the decline in nuclear threat throughout the world.
As a domestic leader, Kennedy was not so great, but he was successful. He was supportive of the civil rights movement, more than any president before him, but he did not get the Civil Rights Act passed, Johnson did.
The economy of the country did not exactly benefit from Kennedy's presidency, but after a two-year recession, there was some growth in 1963. Also Kennedy's Trade Expansion Act allowed the president to reduce tariffs on commodities involving the U.S. and Europe, which increased overseas trade.
In all, Kennedy's foreign policy was excellent for the times, and his domestic policy could be called adequate (let's remember he barely won the 1960 election). So, as a whole his presidency would have to be considered a successful one.
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When asked the question of what I feel makes up a successful administration I get a really mixed feeling. Deep down I feel that the role of the President is to provide leadership to make life in the U.S. as peaceful and stable as possible. It seems that through the readings in the book, the lectures, and the primary source documents he really had desires to accomplish those goals. In the beginning and throughout his administration, he gave many speeches which were brilliantly rated. He moved people with such lines as ' Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,' The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it.' He came across as a chivalrous knight ready to save the world from any form of unrest. I believe that this was successful in getting the people fired up ready to support him. Many people today, especially with recent tragedies with his family, regard him as a mythical hero. The history recorded seems to dispel this myth. His domestic goals and policies, for the most part, were unreached and the challenges which he put on himself in the beginning of his administration were mostly delayed or not met. For instance, in his campaign, he came across as being a hardÑline civil rights warrior by helping Dr. Martin Luther King and insuring his commitment to their cause. In reality he seemed to sidestep the topic for the first two years of his term. Martin Luther King said one time that '
If tokenism were our goal, the administration has moved as adroitly towards its accomplishment. His foreign policy achievements were mixed. He was successful in heating up the Cold War with the failed overthrow of Cuba and assassination of Castro. He was also successful in pushing us into the direction of an all around failure (?) of a war in Vietnam. I personally believe that Kennedy was a superb politician and a brilliant orator, but that his presidency was not superb because of his various blunders and lack of action to support his words. I feel that many people view him as a ??????????????????????
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Based on several key issues surrounding the United States in the early 1960s, John F. Kennedy was one of the most successful Presidents of the 20th century. With the Cold War at its peak, the civil rights movement booming, and the inherited economy ' stagnant,'
Kennedy provided serious growth that kept the United States at a level of world power. That is significant in that with a leader of lesser skill, numerous buttons could have been pushed that could signal the end of the United States stronghold on being the most powerful country in the world. That of course is a reference to the issue staring Kennedy most directly in the face, the Cold War. Beginning at the conclusion of the second World War, the Cold War was a standoff of gigantic proportions between the two most powerful nations in the world, the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. Each jockeyed for position with many words and little action until the U.S.S.R. finally had support in the Western Hemisphere. While the U.S. was busy trying to slow the effects of Communism in Asia, Fidel Castro's Communist regime took power in Cuba. This set up a series of tensions between the two heavyweights that had mixed results. Kennedy's first issue in Cuba was regarding the Bay of Pigs. While the wheels had been set in motion to attack Cuba and overthrow Castro before Kennedy took office, it was John F. Kennedy who had to put the operation in gear. It was a tremendous failure. Kennedy took the loss with dignity, admitting his own fault and quickly responded with what many people, including
our instructor, call Kennedy's crowning achievement as President. As Cuba's alliance with the Soviets grew, communism became very real and close to home for the United States. Missile construction began in Cuba that would threaten the U.S. with a possible nuclear war. As the situation came to a head, Kennedy calmly asked for the Soviets to remove all missile construction from Cuba. It worked and Kennedy was a hero. Had he acted differently, war would almost certainly have broken out. Showing maturity beyond his years, he dealt with a very serious foreign issue, set the wheels of civil rights in motion and with his Trade Expansion Act in 1962, helped spur the economy forward. While unfortunately leaving office early at the hand of an assassin, one can only wonder what else Kennedy might have accomplished had he finished his term and ran for another. The success of Kennedy's presidency cannot be based on political wins and losses. He certainly had both. The significance of his wins and leading the country through one of its most difficult periods is what made John F Kennedy a glowing success.
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Seeing that Kennedy was in office for a short period of time, it is hard to say if he was one of the "best" or "great" presidents. From what I have read, seen, and know, I can come to the conclusion that he was , for the most part, a successful president.
In his inaugural address, he talked about hope. Taking responsibility for the future. One of his most if not the most famous quotes "ask what you can do for your country" was a stand for responsibility. Even thought the "Bay of Pigs:" was a total failure, I believe he was able to turn the thoughts of the American people away from it by taking full responsibility for it. Even though it was a part of the administration before his, but his choice to O.K. it.
A big victory for Kennedy was the way he handled the Cuban Missile Crisis. The two nationas about to go to war and he gives Khruschev and the Russians a way out. That was a good job of being diplomatic. Other success of Kennedy's planning were the Peace Coprs, the challenge to NASA to not only catch up in the space race but land a man on the moon with in ten years. Maybe most of his ideas or plans didn't happen in his lifetime, but they did happen.
His work with the civil rights. Getting King released from jail was a popular act with the blacks. Plus his willingness to strive for better lifes and equality for everyone.
The nation wa shocked by his death. Not to say you must be popular to be successful. But people will believe in you more to give your nation that he is just a man with a wife and kids ust like the average man in the U.S. was a strong point for him. Showing he was a family man also not just a guy who makes world decisions.