Trust in Government Essay

Submitted By hank42296
Words: 2118
Pages: 9
Open Document
Research Essay

Before November 22, 1963, even though the United States had many negative incidents in the past, a majority of the American people still had their faith in the government. There were no protests about war, chaotic outbreaks, or any type of argument that the Government wasn’t doing its job. In fact, over 75 percent of Americans had total confidence for their government (Marshal). The reason Americans felt this way is because Eisenhower was a former General of the U.S. Army, and possessed a worthy image that was appreciated by Democrats and Republicans. He also portrayed the image of bringing peace into the country by ending the Korean War. The elected President of 1960 was a young, clean-cut man whom had a whole new vision for the United Sates called the New Frontier. This vision had not taken full effect because on November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed in Dallas, Texas while campaigning for his next election. He was killed by, according to The Warren Commission, Lee Harvey Oswald. Many other Americans, from then and now, may like to argue otherwise. The moment the United States House Select Committee on Assassins (HSCA) found that Kennedy was likely assassinated as a result of a conspiracy, is when the downfall of American trust in government came to be, with the Vietnam War, Watergate, and the War on Terrorism being events that sparked this distrust.
On November 22, 1963, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was shot and killed at 12:30 in Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas. The ten-month question for the Warren Commission was who did it? The Warren Commission eventually came to the theory that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone shooter in the assassination. At first, most Americans believed this was the case, however, as time went on, theories started to arise. One of the first to recognize that the assassination of John F. Kennedy could have been explained by a conspiracy was the United States House Select Committee on Assassins (HSCA). They stated that Oswald did fire three shots at Kennedy, however, the HSCA also believes that there were four shots fired, concluding that there were two gunmen. There were many other possible theories that were proposed as to who could have killed Kennedy as well. Some stating that the CIA or the Mafia killed Kennedy, and others claim The Magic Bullet Theory. As these, and many more theories started to come about, the American public started to believe them. Between the years of 1966 and 2003, polls were taken, and it is said that up to 80 percent of Americans believe the assassination of John F. Kennedy was either plotted out or a cover-up. Even though there are many theories to believe, the HSCA confirmed that the CIA, the Soviet Union, and many other groups were not involved, but individuals of these groups were not ruled out. The way the assassination went down is unknown, but what is known is Kennedy was assassinated, and that changed Americans viewpoints on government forever.
During Kennedy’s Presidency, and when he died, Johnson’s Presidency, the threat that Vietnam could become a communist country was not a bizarre thought. When the French could no longer supply troops to Vietnam, it was all up to the U.S. to keep Vietnam from converting to communism. The United States wanted to intervene because of the “Domino Theory” proposed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. If one country falls to communism, then the surrounding countries will do the same. At first, in 1963, Kennedy sent around 15,000 “advisers” to fight in Vietnam. These “advisers” did not achieve much success. Two years later, in Johnson’s Presidency, he upped the troops from 15,000 to 184,300 troops. Yet again, a vast amount of American troops were dying, so Johnson increased troops again, this time to over 500,000 troops. Even though they were achieving little by little, it would not be enough to end the war any time soon. President Johnson and General
Show More

Related Documents: Trust in Government Essay

Snapshot Of Major Events In 2013

EDELMAN TRUST BAROMETER 2014 MALAYSIA RESULTS 13 February 2014 Snapshot of major events in 2013 Feb: Lahad Datu intrusion The intrusion by a group from Southern Philippines into Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu in February 2 May: The 13th Malaysian General Elections. Ruling coalition Barisan Nasional won a simple majority with 133 of the 222 parliamentary seats. The opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat, won more seats in Parliament this time as well as the popular vote. June: The new Financial Services…

Words 3720 - Pages 15

The Sherman Anti-Trust Act

section of the government tackling the trust evil enacting the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890. This was done because, In the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s, the U.S. government fought with anti-competitive practices between many different business entities. The Governments concern was artificial pricing practices that may only harm the consumer buying the products. So, in a response to these money hungry, shady businesses congress passed legislation enacting the Sherman Anti-trust act. What this…

Words 198 - Pages 1

The Sherman Anti-Trust Act

the 19th century, citizens witnessed the birth of business conglomerates, or trusts. Many people believed that this form of business organization restrained competition and led to price manipulation. John Sherman, an expert on commerce regulation and supporter of limiting trusts, was the chief author of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. The Sherman Anti-Trust Act was the first United States Federal statute to prohibit trusts and limit monopolies. Although several states had previously ratified similar…

Words 938 - Pages 4

Questions On Economic Growth

their productivity, or human capital. By investing in human capital, nations can raise their growth rates by improving worker productivity. 3. Governments use research centers in order to help build technology and ideas. In addition to running research centers, the government provides funds directly to public and private research centers. The government maintains its mission of promoting research essential for a nations economic health and global competitiveness. 4. A stable financial system…

Words 547 - Pages 3

barrick gold Essay

problem is due to lack of trust. Barrick made a promise to the government of Argentina that he will transport the glaciers to a safe location, which he failed to do. Another cause is fear of environmental damage. Both the locals and government where scared that Barrick will put their environment at risk. They believed that Barrick was not reliable, that he will just misuse their resource. The symptoms of these problems are trust issue and bad decision making from the government. Now that Barrick has…

Words 437 - Pages 2

Essay about Final Notes

resources measurement focus reports on the inflows and outflows of current financial resources (cash or other items expected to be converted into cash during the current period). To measure fiscal accountability; meet the legal and budget needs of government. Budgetary accounting recording: Only in governmental accounting is budget activity formally recorded. Appropriations are authorizations to spend as well as limits on spending. Recording budget activity: helps ensure compliance with spending limits…

Words 2417 - Pages 10

Trust and Money Essay

seemed like an area focused a lot on government money and spendings. They had to decide on how much to spend on each thing and what was most important. For example just now in our country a lot of money goes on health and education as at this point in time they see this as important. Other spendings are on pensions, defence, transport, law and order and many more. It fluxuates all the time and is different in all countries and we can see this. The governments money is funded by us, through tax and…

Words 685 - Pages 3

Criminal Jurisdiction in Indian Country Essay

self-government. They also enjoy a special relationship with the federal government. In turn, this status and relationship has consequences for tribes and their members; for the states and their citizens; and the federal government. This paper will explore the significance of tribal sovereignty, the tribal-federal trust relationship, and their impact on criminal jurisdiction in Indian Country. It will also identify the division of criminal jurisdiction between the tribes, the federal government, and…

Words 1343 - Pages 6

The Standard Oil Monopoly In The Late 1800's

In the late 1800s, industry was following the path of laissez-faire, which was the inactive participation of the government in regulating business. This led to the rise of the idea of social Darwinism being implanted in business, where only the strongest, the wealthiest, would be the survivors. So, big business leaders, such as Carnegie and Rockefeller, included social Darwinism in how they carried out business, which for them, was buying out and ridding of the “weaker” competition. Even though the…

Words 934 - Pages 4

Progressive Reformers Dbq

producing reform and receiving national attention during the early stage of the progressive movement, but as America entered into the Great War, the government ceased to aid the movement, hence ending the era of reform from 1900- 1920. Up until 1917, the progressive movement was successful in bring federal attention to issues such as monopolies and trusts, the working conditions in factories and the women’s rights movement. Strong reformers and the support from active presidents like Roosevelt and Wilson…

Words 1280 - Pages 6