The American, by nature, is optimistic. He is experimental, an inventor and a builder who builds best when called upon to build greatly.
John F. Kennedy, 35th President, 1961-1963
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from "The Strategy of Peace", By John F. Kennedy, Edited by Allan Nevins, 1960, Harper & Brothers. In the 1950's, Americans prospered and enjoyed the Allied victory in Europe and in the Pacific in World War II. Typical American life was portrayed in the popular TV series, "Happy Days" and movies such as, "Back to the Future" and "American Graffiti." However, in those happy, sleepy times in America, there were still many social and international problems simmering below the surface. Race and social justice would soon move to the forefront in the 1960's. More immediately, in the late 1950's and early 1960's, Kennedy believed the larger issue was "The Cold War" with Russia and stopping the advance of communism. Russia had been an ally in World War II but now sought become the world's dominant power. Russian leader, Nikita Khrushchev, had compared the United States to a worn-out runner living on its past performance and stated that the Soviet Union would out produce the United States by 1970.
Presidential Press conference June 28, 1961, (http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=8209&st=&st1=). Also, Russia had launched Sputnik, the first man made satellite into orbit. It was perceived that the Russians could now launch inter-continental missiles against the United States and soon Americans were talking about building bomb shelters in their backyards. Kennedy wanted to re-assert to the world that the United States and its people, educational systems, and economic way of life were the best. He felt we could no longer afford to isolate ourselves from world affairs or competition. In his essay, written before he had become President, he states, "Instead, with the present administration...we have lapsed back into a frame of mind where we assume that we are at liberty to deal with domestic and foreign affairs separately. We assume that the Good Life we have been enjoying here at home is somehow the same as building the Good Society here at home and abroad...We have allowed a sort of sentimentalism to form in the atmosphere we breathe...(and) the desire to do good has become a substitute for tough-minded plans and operations- a substitute for a strategy...
It is time once more to get on with the business of being true to the work of a Choosing People- a people who voluntarily assume the burden and the glory of advancing mankind's best hopes." In the 1960's, following Kennedy's vision, the United States lurched back into motion with great upheaval as the youth movement, the civil rights movement, the Vietnam conflict, and the Space Race captured the attention and imagination of the United States and all the world. Today, some of the issues, names, and threats have changed and we continue to have much "building" to do at home and abroad.
