The Cold War and Us Diplomacy. Understanding the Kennedy Doctrine, Term Paper Example

Introduction

The role of the American nation towards the protection of liberty all around the globe is somewhat defined by the fact that the nation and its presidents as well as its political advisers did so much to protect its strong hold towards freedom. In line with this, Truman and Eisenhower, two of the former presidents of the country depended on the capability of the American nation to withhold the worth of liberty at all cost not only for themselves but for their allied countries and others that might be under their care. Notably, this is the reason why John F. Kennedy followed the same pattern of principles the other two presidents did. In his inaugural speech in 1961, he mentioned: “Let every nation know whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall play any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship and support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and success of liberty”[1]. In consideration with this, he even adds that people should know how to struggle against the common enemies of man that keeps them away from fully realizing the gift of liberty to them and their nation. These enemies according to him include poverty, disease, tyranny and the war humans made against other humans. It was as if he has specifically drawn the line as to what role the American nation would play in line with the ongoing assault of the cold war[2]. Notably this entices them [the US administrator] to create a more refined troop of armies that are fit to face the challenges of taking on the need to protect themselves and the other nations as well. The domination of this responsibility enveloped the Kennedy administration and it did well to define its reputation in line with the course of development that it tries to embrace.

The Kennedy Doctrine

Taking the stand to protect liberty at the time was not an easy task especially that the idea of the emergence of communism begins to take control of the major government operations in the western regions. Relatively, this is what Kennedy was aiming to control. The need to protect liberty, for him, is a duty of the American nation. He aims to reverse the effect of communism and retain the democratic aims of being a free country alongside the other nations that America hopes to protect[3]. The Cold War even made the fight harder to contend with.

His desire to instil the American government culture of freedom as part of a worldwide defence against communism has greatly affected his administration’s reputation within the pages of history. Noting the power that America has over the international scene, it could be identified that Kennedy simply wanted to make sure that the occurrence of development does not only instil a sense of urgency for the American nation, but also on the part of other nations sharing the same virtue as America does. The relative protection of liberty has been made a worldwide goal that the creation of alliances has become a common matter during the early 1960’s under Kennedy’s administration. Through imposing the desire to disarm the capabilities of the communists to define world history and world governments at the time, Kennedy hoped to incur global cooperation. Raising a campaign for helping others understand the impact of communism in their communities and their lives, Kennedy hoped to get the compliance of other nations as they tend to protect their own freedom from the said form of governance[4]. To further strengthen the campaign, Kennedy did well to identify the special role that those who would cooperate to the process would incur. He mentions that only a few were given the chance to actually defend the existence of liberty in the society, and that like him, they would do well to accept such a noble responsibility to be the foundation of a better future for the next generations to come.

Appealing as the call is, other nations responded accordingly to the said request. Nations came together with America standing tall as the leader. The Alliance for Progress[5] was a contained organization of nations established by Kennedy as he tried to create a reality out of his request for nations to come together to protect the principles of liberty. In this international organization, he addresses the Latin American Diplomats as well as that of the other Members of the Congress to take on the responsibility of showing how liberty protects everyone, a defiance to what communism offers. To do so, he strengthened his nation and those who intended to join their campaign to create more work, provide more lands and basically satisfy the basic needs of the people. The aim was to make sure that the people are able to understand what liberty itself gives to them.

In line with this, he also imposed on the development of the food-for-peace program wherein his administration alongside their alliances would contribute to support those nations or communities in need. Most of these nations include countries that are being transformed into becoming communist-based governments[6]. He also empowered the Latin American nations to achieve political freedom and to establish the social change they need to be able to incur economic development as part of their government’s current agenda. He handled each matter on his own hand and saw through every agenda being fulfilled according to what he believes should be a definite course towards promoting liberty among all.

Conclusion

From here on, the American nation has taken the lead in becoming the strongest alliance of those who trust them and the strongest foe of those who do not. Up to this day, Kennedy’s doctrine lives on and remains to define the American role in the middle of International brotherhood. True, even though it has been a source of debate among many socialists, one truth remains, the Kennedy doctrine did well do establish America’s role as a leader in international relations then and now. Considerably, there are pros and cons to the doctrine.

In the early 1970’s, even without the guidance of Kennedy, his doctrine moved other presidents that followed his path to establish military stations within nations that accepted their alliance program offers[7]. Up to this day, there are several military factions situated outside America that are derivatively being pursued by the nation. It was as if creating a controlling machine that is supposed to protect the liberty of other nations from other invaders, yet they cannot protect their liberty from the American control. The negation of the role of Kennedy’s doctrine and its role in the modern world still remains to be defined and further examined as to how it should apply in a world of international camaraderie established among nations through the strength and control of commerce.

References:

Viotti, Paul R, American Foreign Policy and National Security: A Documentary Record (Pearson Prentice Hall: 2005), 222.

Fitzsimons, Louise. The Kennedy Doctrine (New York: Random House, 1972), 10.

Modern History Sourcebook. President John F. Kennedy: On the Alliance for Progress, 1961.

Weidman, Lisa Menéndez. A Biography of John F. Kennedy: The 35th President of the United States. Pearson Prentice Hall: 2005.

[1] Fitzsimons, Louise. The Kennedy Doctrine (New York: Random House, 1972), 10.

[2] Weidman, Lisa Menéndez. A Biography of John F. Kennedy: The 35th President of the United States. Pearson Prentice Hall: 2005.

[3] Weidman, Lisa Menéndez. A Biography of John F. Kennedy: The 35th President of the United States. Pearson Prentice Hall: 2005.

[4] Viotti, Paul R, American Foreign Policy and National Security: A Documentary Record (Pearson Prentice Hall: 2005), 222.

[5] Modern History Sourcebook. President John F. Kennedy: On the Alliance for Progress, 1961.

[6] Viotti, Paul R, American Foreign Policy and National Security: A Documentary Record (Pearson Prentice Hall: 2005), 222.

[7] Viotti, Paul R, American Foreign Policy and National Security: A Documentary Record (Pearson Prentice Hall: 2005), 222.