Robert F. Kennedy's Assassination

Robert F. Kennedy's Assassination

The nineteen sixties are considered one of the most turbulent and eventful decades in American history. America was torn apart in the midst of crises within the nation and in other countries. The United States had just entered the Vietnam War and African Americans were fighting for civil rights. Streets of major cities were crowded with protesters, creating a sense of chaos throughout America. Human rights activists Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. were strongly impacting the Civil Rights Movement. These two leaders pushed for equal rights among all races and religions, showing large promise in changing racist laws and beliefs of America. Politics also seemed to be taking a turn for the better, with the election of President John F. Kennedy. He was the first Catholic man ever elected president and his political views were something America had never seen before. Unlike many other politicians he did not simply tell people what they wanted to hear, but spoke out strongly on what he believed in, almost disregarding the political consequences. Ultimately, all three of these great American leaders were assassinated in the sixties, sending the country into mourning, and taking an emotional toll on Americans. By 1968, America seemed to be falling apart. However with the rise of a new political leader, things seemed to be looking up. Robert F. Kennedy had similar views to his brother John, on changing the nation, and by spring of 1968 he had just secured the Democratic presidential nomination. His campaign overwhelmingly inspired hope among Americans (elibrary: Robert Kennedy). However, a time period with large foreign and domestic challenges and loss of many strong political leaders did not allow Robert F. Kennedy to fulfill his promising plans for America, because on June 6, 1968, he was assassinated.

A significant number of controversy-evoking events accumulated in the sixties that contributed to the fear and frustration of the nation. At the turn of the decade, America was well into the Vietnam War. To contribute to the chaotic anxiety of America, the Civil Rights Act became the law, issuing penalties to anyone who tried to obstruct anyone from registering to vote, or actually vote (Pendergast 68). Luckily, in November of 1960 a great leader took charge of the nation; John F. Kennedy (Pendergast 68). He named his brother Attorney General shortly after his election (Pendergast 68). Civil Rights nationalists like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X stirred up political strife with their aggressive approach to heeling America's racism and discrimination. Anti-War protesters flooded the city streets of America. President Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X were all assassinated. Just when America's streak of tragedies ended with the U.S.-North Vietnamese peace talks beginning, presidential democratic nominee, Robert F. Kennedy, was assassinated.