Compare/Contrast Kennedy And Nixon Essay, Research Paper

John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon have shaped our country in different ways. They each had very separate lives, yet they always seemed to cross each other?s paths. They both had several similarities and many differences.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in Brooklyn, Massachusetts on May 29, 1917 to a very wealthy family. His father was a well-off businessman and ambassador. His father taught him self-confidence and passion for competition. His family?s wealth and influence helped to raise his political power. John Kennedy ranked only 64th in his class of 112, but was voted ?most likely to succeed?. He was decorated for heroism during the war. John received a Purple Heart fighting in it. His older brother, Robert, was killed in World War II. During the election, his opinions were more liberal than Nixon?s were. He was a winning personality, lively family, good intelligence, tireless energy, and courage. During the debates, he was poised and confident. In 1961, he became the youngest president, and the 1st one to be of the Roman Catholic religion. His personal charm and promise to ?get the country moving again? got him the presidency. Kennedy dealt with severe challenges in Cuba and Berlin. Much of Kennedy?s program was unfulfilled until Johnson was put in office. The United States space program surged ahead during his short term. His term was never fulfilled, as he was shot and killed on November 22, 1963 in Dallas, Texas.

Richard Milhous Nixon was born in California on January 9, 1913. His father had merely a 6th grade education and moved jobs constantly. Nixon ranked 3rd in his graduating class of 25 and was extremely intelligent. When he ran against Kennedy, he was committed to ?practical liberalism?. He had a lot a discipline and great ambition. During the debates, he seemed tired and ill at ease. He lost against Kennedy for president in 1961, but was the preceding president after Lyndon B. Johnson. Nixon was a skilled negotiator with a broad understanding of world affairs. He ended direct United States involvement with the Vietnam War. He improved relations with China and the Soviet Union. Before he was president, he was in the US House, Senate and Vice President under Eisenhower. He resigned due to his impeachment for the Watergate scandal.

Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy also had things in common. They both served in the Navy at young ages. They both were strong anti-communists, and were very ambitious and young. Each one entered Congress in 1946 and they began their careers in House Education & Labor Committee. Kennedy and Nixon both were the 2nd oldest children in their families. They each pledged to build up the nations military might and each ensured continued prosperity. They both didn?t finish their full term, as Kennedy was assassinated and Nixon resigned.

J. F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon had many things that were alike and different. Their looks, personality, and thoughts were very different. These two presidents were involved with several challenges and hard problems within their years they were in office. Who knows, maybe the reason their election was so much alike was because of how similar they were.