UGAMUNC XXI
Kennedy’s Cabinet
Hello, Delegates!
1 UGAMUNC XXI
Kennedy’s Cabinet
Hello, Delegates!
My name is Sophia Crawford, and as your Chair, I would like to welcome you to
Kennedy’s Presidential Cabinet: Project Camelot of UGAMUNC XXI. As one of the
crisis committees of UGAMUNC this year, I can guarantee you that this committee will
engage you in vigorous debate, encourage you to think critically and creatively in order
to combat the pressures of a presidential administration, and force you to make decisions
in a time of crisis. In all, Kennedy’s Presidential Cabinet will change the outlook of
American politics and foreign affairs as we recognize it today. However, before we delve
into the structure of our committee, if you have any questions, please email me, Sophia
Crawford ([email protected]).
Before proceeding, I would like to introduce myself. I am from Columbus, Georgia, and I
am currently in my fourth year here at the University of Georgia, majoring in
International Affairs and Latin American and Caribbean Studies. My area of interest
within my studies are societal and political effects on minority groups and women in
Latin America, as well as the effects of Latin American culture in the United States.
Through my dual citizenship between the United States and Panama, I’m afforded a
unique perspective on U.S. and Latin American relations that allows me to analyze both
sides with a critical, yet understanding, view. This is my fourth, and final, year on the
UGA Model UN team, and it has been a pleasure to serve such an outstanding
organization at the University of Georgia. Last year I served as Conference Director of
UGAMUNC XX, and this year I have the honor of serving as Secretary General for the
team. Before joining the UGA Model UN team, I participated in Model UN for three
years in high school, where my love for debate and international relations prospered.
When I’m not working on things for Model UN, my second occupation is as a Peer
Mentor for UGA Franklin College. I am also an avid concertgoer and an occasional hiker.
I consider myself extremely fortunate to have Robert Noens as my Co-Chair for this
Kennedy’s Presidential Cabinet committee. Robert is a senior here at UGA, currently
majoring in International Affairs. After college, he plans on attending law school, where
he would love to practice international law one day. Besides being on the Model UN
team, he is also the Recruitment Chair for the Pre-Law Fraternity here at Georgia. Robert
is originally from Allenhurst, New Jersey, but moved to Alpharetta, Georgia, when he
was ten. Growing up, Robert played a lot of soccer. He played for his high school and
club team, the Ambush. He also was a lifeguard for five years and had four saves during
that time. However, Robert is really looking forward to help run the Kennedy’s
Presidential Cabinet committee. It is his first year on the Model UN team here, but
International Affairs has been a big part of his life. Robert has dual U.S. and Belgian
Citizenship. His dad is from Belgium, born and raised. His father moved here in college
where he met Robert’s mom. She is an American Citizen, but all of her grandparents
were born in Italy, so she definitely still projects that heritage, and it really had a big
impact on who Robert is today. Robert has also traveled all over Europe, and he went to
Kenya when he was younger too. International Affairs has always been something he has
been really into growing up, and he would really like to bring an international dimension
to your simulation, which is comprised of you all being mainly domestic actors.
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Again, Robert and I are thrilled to chair this committee and are eager for you all to join
Kennedy’s cabinet and change the world.
Sincerely,
Sophia Crawford
Chair, Kennedy’s Cabinet
Structure of the Committee
I want to start off by saying that this is not going to be a traditional high school
committee. We’re going to be a crisis committee, meaning that we will not have a
speakers list. We will not have topics or be setting the agenda, and you will not write
even one resolution. We will be operating with different rules, regulations, and
suggestions, which are as follows:
1. We will always be in a moderated caucus unless one of the members makes a motion
to break off into an un-moderated caucus, where we can work on individual or group
tasks in an unstructured setting.
2. You will write directives, not resolutions, which are quick, concise solutions to the
problem at hand. They only need two sponsors and no signatories in order to bring the
directive to the attention of other members. The point of these is to address the present
issues. And trust me, we will make it perfectly clear which issues you each need to be
focusing on. There’s one important misconception with directives: it does not matter who
brings them to the table. Oftentimes, I see several different groups working separately on
virtually the same directive, and when they each are eventually shared in front of the
members, we all look bad for not communicating as a team and consolidating our ideas
and directives.
3. Everything up until Kennedy’s inauguration as the 35th president of the United States
is absolutely unchangeable. Therefore, we expect every student to research American
foreign policy and domestic affairs, as it affected the United States prior to January 20,
1961. Although we decide the future political landscape of American society today
(January 21, 1961), the administration of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower played
a fundamental role in restructuring the United States’ role in global politics, which will
undoubtedly affect our foreign policy agenda. Also, with tensions in the South due to an
impending Civil Rights Movement, our administration's domestic agenda remains as
equally important as our foreign policy agenda.
4. Yes, everything up until Kennedy’s inauguration happened, however, we are going to
take the storyline in whichever way we, as a committee, see fit. Therefore, the only thing
I can promise is that we will not be following the exact trajectory of American history, so
be open-minded and creative. Hopefully we will not see a World War III within our
committee, but again anything can happen!
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5. We expect each and every one of you to interact frequently with our amazing crisis
staff. We, as the chairs, will be moderating debate and making the final decision on what
crises will happen and when they will occur. However, it will be the crisis staff that tells
you the entire behind the scenes information. Keep in mind that the crisis staff will not
tell you things you do not ask for. You can work behind the scenes using individual
powers and communication with crisis to achieve a pivotal goal within Kennedy’s
administration.
6. We would like you to write a position paper, but it likely will not look like one you
have written before. Rather than highlighting the history of Kennedy’s administration, we
would like you to focus on your individual strengths and what you bring to the table.
Furthermore, we want you to highlight how you plan on interacting with the other
members and what role you plan on taking within the committee. We understand that this
will be easier for some than others, but we just ask you to do your best. The position
papers are important to us because your paper will be setting the tone for your character.
If you tell us you plan on being a facilitator, and then you blow through the committee,
disregarding the way other members feel about things, that is going to be a problem
because your actions are contradicting your plan. Before writing your paper, stop and
think about who you are in the committee and how you are going to play your hand. I
cannot overemphasize how important this is. All position papers are due, in hard copy,
the day of the conference. Please remember that position papers are required for award
consideration.
7. Finally, I know that each one of you is fixated on awards. I want to be upfront and
clear about what we will be looking at when we decide who will get each award. We are
looking for someone who is a multi-talented delegate who excels in all forms of the
committee. This includes moderated caucuses, un-moderated caucuses, and interaction
with crisis. Delegates often think that if they perform well in front of the chairs, they have
the award in the bag. This is not so because we will consult with our crisis staff and ask
them about each member’s interactions and performance with crisis. We want you to be
creative, engaged, and have fun.
On the remaining pages of this guide, you will find brief snippets of information
highlighting the domestic and foreign affairs occurring before and during Kennedy’s
inauguration. You will also find short character synopses written by my Co-Chair with
help from myself. Please take the time to read each and every one of them (not only your
own) because each member is important and essential. After the following sections, we
will provide links to websites and databases to help you along with your own research in
preparation for this committee. In the beginning of our first committee session, each
delegate will be given a folder of his or her character describing the “powers” he or she
has within the committee. Although you will eventually receive this information, we
expect all of you to do much of your own research, with us providing tools that will lead
you in the right direction. The links we provide are good starting places, and give a
general overview of what was occurring at the time; however, since each character plays
an important role in different aspects of Kennedy’s administration, we cannot
accommodate a background guide that encompasses each character’s contribution to
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Kennedy’s presidency. If you have any questions at any point, please do not hesitate to
let Robert or me know. We are here to help you all to the best of our ability.1 Domestic Politics
For most Americans, the post-World War II era created paramount financial
wealth for the middle class and mobilized millions of citizens from the countryside to the
city, increasing education levels along with the standard of living. However, there were
segments of America that benefited far less from the United States’ new hegemony
status. For millions of African Americans and Mexican Americans, mobilization to the
middle class failed to free them from the prejudices they faced within their local
communities. In the South, black soldiers were targets of racial violence and were still
subjugated to racist Jim Crow laws, despite their service in the U.S. army.2 However,
with their new prosperity, African American veterans helped jump-start what the media
has called “The Civil Rights Movement,” by registering black voters and creating their
own communities capable of electing political leaders into office.3 Also, the formation of organizations dedicated to increasing the rights of African
Americans, such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
(NAACP), the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), gave blacks a voice within national politics
that before remained obsolete and unimportant.4 Through the services provided by these
organizations, we are seeing a rise in judicial action, protests, and violence related to the
civil rights “movement” and their call for legislative and presidential intervention.5 The
lack of fundamental political and human rights in the South, and the slow response of
states to integrate public schools and universities, only ferments a divided society in the
United States, and therefore, the civil rights issue remains relevant for the new
administration.6 In Texas and in southern California, we are seeing the emergence of
Mexican Americans making similar demands for political rights and equal protections
like blacks in the South.
*Notable topics to keep in mind: NASA, the Youth Movement, education reform, communism in
the U.S., and women’s liberation.
Although domestic politics at this time was dominated by the Civil Rights Movement, the notable topics will
be discussed or at least relate to potential crises during the committee. 1 Moss, Ashton, and Perry Siniard. "UGAMUNC XX Dumbledore's Army." Ugamunc.com. UGA Model
UN Team, 08 Nov. 2013. Web. 09 Oct. 2014 2
Lee, Chana. "World War II and the South." Civil Rights Movement. Leconte Hall, Athens. 28 Aug. 2014.
Lecture.
3
"Postwar United States - 1945-1968." Library of Congress. United States Government, n.d. Web. 07 Oct.
2014
4
Ransby, Barbara. Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement: A Radical Democratic Vision. Chapel
Hill: University of North Carolina, 2003. Print.
5
Ibid
6
Tuck, Stephen G. N. Beyond Atlanta: The Struggle for Racial Equality in Georgia, 1940-1980. Athens:
University of Georgia, 2001. Print. 5 UGAMUNC XXI
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Foreign Affairs Although the threat of Hitler and his abuse of human rights no longer impede our
foreign affairs, communism, and more importantly the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics (USSR), challenge the peace and democracy the United States aims to spread
across the world. In today’s society, we are witnessing more and more countries fall
victim to an idiotic political doctrine that limits political freedoms and individual rights.
Henceforth, Americans will not stand idle and watch the world fade into a communist
abyss, and democracy cripple to the effects of Khrushchev, Mao, and communists leaders
alike, ideas of totalitarianism in government. Therefore, Eisenhower’s fight on the Cold
War continues with Kennedy’s commitment to protect the U.S. and her allies from
communist threats abroad.7 However, with much power comes much responsibility. Throughout the past
years, the military capabilities of this great country exceed any man’s imagination or
vision of weaponry, and with such arsenal now acquired by other nations, the duty to
redefine war and its parameters lay on this new administration. The future president aims
to limit the use of nuclear weapons and where countries are allowed to test them. The
new administration also plans to covertly tackle the global obstacles that prevent
democracy from reaching every citizen of the world. While altering the framework of
war, we want to utilize all the agencies, and vast knowledge they provide, to handle
operations that pose “minimal” risks and attention to U.S. involvement and policies.
Through these covert operations, the administration can better protect its interests and the
interests of the American public.
*Notable topics to research: The European economy, U.S. Peace Corps, the spread of
communism (across the world, particularly African and Latin American nations), covert
missions, Harold Macmillan, Sir Alec Douglas-Home, nuclear weapons, Khrushchev, Fidel
Castro, Cuba, West Germany, West Berlin, Vietnam, and Angola.
Topics in bold are primary agenda items.
Suggested websites (links):
1. http://millercenter.org/president/eisenhower/essays/biography/5
2. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/jfkdomestic/
3. http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/Life-of-John-F-Kennedy.aspx
4. https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/short-history/jfk-foreignpolicy
5. http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/whyweexplore/Why_We_29.html
6. http://www.jfklibrary.org/Research/Research-Aids/Ready-Reference/SelectedMilestones-of-the-Kennedy-Presidency.aspx
7 Gaddis,
John Lewis. The Cold War: A New History. New York: Penguin, 2005. Print. 6 UGAMUNC XXI
Kennedy’s Cabinet
7. https://etd.library.emory.edu/view/record/pid/emory:8kgnh (The full dissertation
is available for download through a PDF located at the bottom of the page. The
only chapter that is needed for your research is chapter 7.)
8. http://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/2010/08/16/kennedy-and-the-cubanmissile-crisis/
9. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/books/chap1/inside.htm
Suggested Literature:
1. The Cold War: A New History, by John Lewis Gaddis
2. Who Ups the Ante? Personality Traits and Risky Foreign Policy (dissertation,
chapter 7 only). by Maryann E. Gallagher
Questions to Consider:
1. What are your character’s responsibilities in the Kennedy administration?
2. How has the U.S. handled the Civil Rights Movement prior to January 21, 1961?
3. What is Kennedy’s attitude toward the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S.?
4. How can your character help achieve his goals regarding the Civil Rights
Movement?
5. What are the problems facing the U.S. education system? (i.e. segregation issues,
investments in technology within the public school system to combat U.S.S.R)
6. How is Khrushchev different than Stalin in his stance against the U.S.?
7. How will Kennedy reactive to foreign policy matters? Will this affect the
effectiveness of your job?
8. Can the U.S. maintain its hegemony status?
9. Does a clear and evident threat of communism still exist in the U.S.? If so, among
which communities is it present?
10. What is the U.S. policy on containing communism abroad? Is this policy
effective? What can be changed to make this policy more effective?
*Some of the questions on this list pertain to some delegates more than others. Only respond to questions
that directly pertain to your character. 7 UGAMUNC XXI
Kennedy’s Cabinet
Actors in this Committee:
**These brief character biographies are taken from a complete form of your character’s
history. Keep in mind that the actions that they took in regard to historical events that
occurred after January 20, 1961, might not be relevant for our committee.
1. Lyndon B. Johnson (Vice President):
Born in Stonewall, Texas, on August 27, 1908, Lyndon B. Johnson was the oldest
of five children.8 In 1937, Johnson’s wife, Claudia Alta Taylor, financed his run for
Congress, which was based on a New Deal Platform, using money from her inheritance.9
Johnson had a brief military career as a pilot during World War II, but he returned to his
legislative duties in the lower house after his service was over. In 1948, Johnson ran for
Senate (Texas, D). Johnson moved through the ranks unprecedentedly and became the
youngest Minority Leader in history. The following year the Democrats took control of
the Senate, and Johnson was elected Majority Leader. Johnson had a reputation for
gathering information on other senators, figuring out their views, using his imposing
presence, and persuading others to his way of thinking. To this day, he is regarded as the
most powerful Majority Leader of the Twentieth Century.10
As Majority Leader, Johnson was able to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1957 (it was
the first civil rights bill in 82 years) and helped promote the U.S space program. Johnson
considered these two accomplishments to be the highlights of his senatorial career. In
1960, Johnson was invited to be Kennedy’s running mate because of his popularity with
Southern Democrats, a group of voters that Kennedy desperately needed in order win the
election. During his time as Vice President, Johnson was in charge of negotiations on the
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, pushed for equal opportunity legislation for minorities, and
supported Kennedy’s decision to send military advisors to Vietnam. Even with these
roles, Johnson was perpetually aggravated by his lack of influence and was never
considered part of Kennedy’s “inner circle”.
Suggested Readings:
A. Look into the policies LBJ enacted as Presidenthttp://www.lbjlibrary.org/lyndon-baines-johnson/lbj-biography
B. http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ho-Jo/Johnson-Lyndon-B.html
2. [David] Dean Rusk (Secretary of State):
Dean Rusk was born on February 9, 1909, in Cherokee County, Georgia. Rusk
earned numerous degrees, including an A.D in Political Science from Davidson College,
a B.S. and M.A. from St. John’s, Oxford University, and served as the Dean of Facility at
8
“Lyndon Baines Johnson Biography”, Bio. A&E Television Networks,
http://www.biography.com/people/lyndon-b-johnson-9356122#presidency, (Oct 26, 2014)
9
“LBJ: Biography”, LBJ Presidential Library, http://www.lbjlibrary.org/lyndon-baines-johnson/lbjbiography
10
“President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Biography”, LBJLibrary.org,
http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/archives.hom/archives-main.shtm
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Mills College while studying law at UC Berkeley. Once done with his education, Rusk
enlisted in the Army in 1940 where he had achieved the rank of Deputy Chief of Staff in
the Operations Branch of the War Department. After leaving the military, Rusk held
many positions in the Department of State, such as, Director of the Office of Special
Political Affairs (also known as the “UN Desk”), Assistant Secretary of State for
International Organization Affairs, Deputy Under Secretary of State, and Assistant
Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.5 His time in the State Department
ended in 1952 when he headed to the Rockefeller Foundation where he stayed until 1961.
However, he retuned to the State Department in 1961 to serve as Secretary of State under
John F. Kennedy and eventually Lyndon B. Johnson.11
Rusk believed his position as Secretary of State was to serve the President as best
he could. He felt his role was similar to an advisor. Rusk would preside over policy
debates, offer informed news, and endorse the President’s decisions. Rusk did, however,
hide his feelings about the Bay of Pigs. Rusk did not believe the invasion would be
successful. Instead, Rusk advocated the idea of “dignified diplomacy,” which focused on
communication between the U.S. and the Soviets. Rusk is credited with helping to diffuse
the Cuban Missile Crisis and getting the U.S. and the Soviets to come to an agreement on
the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. As Secretary of State, Rusk felt the U.S.’s foreign
policy should focus on providing aid and assistance to developing countries and speed up
their progress towards modernization and democracy. This led him to support
involvement in Vietnam and is widely considered the primary architect to U.S.’s
involvement in the war. This label would later open him to much public criticism.12 It
was also known that Rusk was one of the first Cabinet members to speak up in favor of
the Civil Rights Movement.13 After finishing his career in government in 1969, Rusk was
appointed to be the Samuel H. Sibley Professor of International Law at the University of
Georgia’s Lumpkin School of Law (Go Dawgs!).
Suggested Readings:
A. http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/government-politics/dean-rusk1909-1994
B. http://biography.yourdictionary.com/david-dean-rusk
3. [Clarence] Douglas Dillon (Secretary of Treasury):
Douglas Dillon was born on August 21, 1909, in Geneva, Switzerland. His father,
the head of a large Wall Street investment firm, bought him an $185,000 seat on the New
York Stock Exchange, after Dillon graduated from Harvard in 1931. Five years later,
Dillon became a director for the United States and Foreign Securities Council, before
becoming Vice President of his father’s company Dillon, Read and Company. After,
11
“Biographies of the Secretaries of State: Dean Rusk”, US Department of State Office of the Historian,
https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/rusk-david-dean
12
Lock K. Johnson, Dean Rusk (1909 – 1994), Georgia Encyclopedia,
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/government-politics/dean-rusk-1909-1994, (08/26/2013)
13
“Biographical Profiles: (David) Dean Rusk”, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum,
http://www.jfklibrary.org/Research/Research-Aids/Ready-Reference/Biographies-and-Profiles/DavidDean-Rusk.aspx
9 UGAMUNC XXI
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Dillon was deployed to the U.S. Navy in WWII. His ship is said to have survived
multiple kamikaze attacks. When Dillon returned from his service, he used his position in
his father’s company to become a major contributor to Eisenhower’s presidential
campaign and the Republican Party. In return, Eisenhower appointed Dillon to be the
Ambassador to France, even though he was considered very under-qualified. In 1959,
Dillon was appointed the position of Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs. The
position is directly responsible for, “the economic policies and programs of the
Department of State and for coordinating the Mutual Security Program.”14 During this
time, he became one of the founders of the Inter-American Development Bank.
In 1961, Douglas Dillon was appointed to be the Secretary of Treasury on the
recommendation of Phillip Graham. In his first year as Secretary of Treasury, Dillon is
best known for being Kennedy’s spokesman for the aid that was being sent to Latin
America under the Alliance for Progress Program. Dillon went on to push for tax cuts and
international trade as a way to boost the U.S. economy. Dillon was considered one of
Kennedy’s most influential advisors, and he used this leverage to influence the creation
of the Anti-Tariff Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Dillon convinced Kennedy to stay away
from liberal-leaning economic policies and focus more on fixing the balance of the
payments deficit.15 Beyond being just an economic advisor, Dillon was included in the
ExComm meetings, which were the meetings that dealt with the Cuban Missile Crisis.16
Suggested Readings:
A. http://millercenter.org/president/kennedy/essays/cabinet/93
B. http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-DillonC.html
4. Robert McNamara (Secretary of Defense):
Robert McNamara was born in San Francisco, California, on June 9, 1916.
Getting his degree in Economics from UC Berkeley and his Masters at Harvard,
McNamara went on to apply his mastery of statistics and analysis to military situations
during World War II. After the War, McNamara was recruited by Henry Ford II to work
for the Ford Motor Company. He quickly showed his talents of being organized,
innovative, and motivated. Ford would eventually rise through the ranks to become
president of the company in 1960. McNamara’s time as President of Ford was shortlived; the following year Kennedy appointed McNamara to Secretary of Defense in
1961.17
McNamara had a very active time as Secretary of Defense. He reorganized the
Pentagon to increase efficiency and established new planning and budget systems.
McNamara also held military strength in high regard. He called for additional troops,
military hardware, and modernized weapon systems. These increases in military
14
“C. Douglas Dillon”, Spartacus Educational, http://spartacus-educational.com/JFKdillonD.htm, (2014) 15
“C. Douglas Dillon (1961-1963): Secretary of the Treasury”, Miller Center,
http://millercenter.org/president/kennedy/essays/cabinet/93, (2014)
16
“Biographical Profiles: C. Douglas Dillon”, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum,
http://www.jfklibrary.org/Research/Research-Aids/Ready-Reference/Biographies-and-Profiles/C-DouglasDillon.aspx
17
“Robert S. McNamara Biography”, Bio., A and E Television Networks, LLC,
http://www.biography.com/people/robert-s-mcnamara-9394201#synopsis, (2014)
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capabilities corresponded well with his later stance to increase U.S. military presence in
Vietnam. McNamara also found himself in many high stakes meetings, which included
both the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Bay of Pigs.
Suggested Readings:
A. http://www.anb.org/articles/07/07-00827.html
B. http://www.nndb.com/people/387/000022321/
5. Robert F. Kennedy (Attorney General):
Robert Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, on November 20, 1925.18
Robert Kennedy once described his childhood as, “I was the seventh of nine children, and
when you come from that far down, you have to struggle to survive.” Robert’s education
was nothing less than top-tier: He received an undergraduate degree in government from
Harvard and a law degree from the University of Virginia. Robert’s first taste of politics
came when he managed his brother John’s campaign for the Senate. In 1952, he resigned
from Senator John McCarthy’s campaign because of controversial campaign tactics,
demonstrating his value of ethics. Kennedy went on to work as Chief Counsel for the
Senate Rackets Committee and investigated corruption within trade unions. Finally in
1960, Robert managed his brother’s campaign for President and was appointed as
Attorney General.
During Kennedy’s time as Attorney General, he was known for diligence,
nonpartisanship, and effectiveness. Organized crime saw an 800% increase in
convictions. Kennedy was also extremely adamant about racial equality. He helped
integrate schools and was integral in getting African Americans the right to vote. Robert
Kennedy went beyond the usual role of Attorney General. He was the President’s closest
and most trusted advisor. Robert helped in many foreign policy decisions, and he also
played a major role in orchestration and implementation of the blockade on Cuba and the
removal of the Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba.19
Suggested Readings:
A. http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/The-Kennedy-Family/Robert-F-Kennedy.aspx
B. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/freedomriders/people/robert-fkennedy
6. Allen Dulles (Director of the CIA):
Allen Dulles was born in Watertown, New York, on April 7, 1893. Dulles
received is graduate degree in diplomatic service from Princeton and his law degree from
George Washington University. Like many others on the list, Dulles served in World War
II but was put in charge of the Office of Strategic Services, which would later become the
CIA. The OSS was primarily in charge of gathering information on the Nazis throughout
the war. When the agency transitioned into the CIA in 1947, Dulles stayed closely
18
“Robert F. Kennedy”, John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum, http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/TheKennedy-Family/Robert-F-Kennedy.aspx (2014)
19 Ibid 11 UGAMUNC XXI
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involved with its development until 1953. That year, Dwight D. Eisenhower named
Dulles the new director. The job was immense. The CIA played a large part in the Cold
War and setting the U.S.’s nuclear strategy. Dulles was also head of the CIA during the
assassination attempts on Castro, the overthrow of the Iranian Government, and the
Guatemalan government. Dulles saw these actions as necessary steps towards fighting the
spread of communism.20
Dulles was the Director of the CIA only for a short time during the Kennedy
Administration. He faced serious criticism after the Bay of Pigs, but blamed President
Kennedy for a lack of military support. Dulles resigned shortly after.21
Suggested Readings:
A. http://spartacus-educational.com/USAdullesA.htm
B. http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/50559/robin-w-winks/the-wise-man-ofintelligence-uncovering-the-life-of-allen-dulles
7. McGeorge Bundy (National Security Advisor):
The third of five children, McGeorge Bundy was born to a very well off New
England family. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 30, 1919. In 1940,
Bundy graduated from Yale and went on to teach at Harvard after graduating. After
leaving Harvard in 1941, Bundy joined the Office of Facts and Figures, his first job in
government. During this time, Bundy must have grown fond of public service because in
the next year Bundy memorized the eye chart exam so he could serve in World War II,
despite being shortsighted. After his service in 1953, McGeorge Bundy was appointed to
be the Dean of Arts and Sciences at Wisconsin University, where he supported greater
student diversity and increased pay for professors. Bundy was well known for his work at
Wisconsin and was later brought back to Harvard.22
In 1961, Bundy was appointed to be Kennedy’s National Security Advisor and
was considered one of the “best and brightest” of Kennedy’s “inner circle.” His intellect
and courageous personality led to a great friendship with McNamara. On the other hand,
however, Bundy was “running circles around Rusk’s State Department”, which earned
him easy daily access to the President himself. Kennedy was once quoted saying, “Bundy
and I get more done in one day than the State Department gets done in six months.”23
Bundy was also one of many liberal-republicans on Kennedy’s bi-partisan Cabinet. He is
well known for his support for the Vietnam War and was quick to tell the President when
he was wrong.24 For other large events, Bundy stayed relatively neutral. He was more
20
“Allen Dulles”, United States History, http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h3737.html
21 Ibid
22
“Francis Bator, Paul Doty, Edward Pattullo, Nathan Pusey, and Stanley Hoffman”, Faculty of Arts and
Sciences – Memorial Minute, Harvard University Gazette, http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/2001/02.01/13bundy.html
23 “Biographical Profiles: McGeorge Bundy”, John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum,
http://www.jfklibrary.org/Research/Research-Aids/Ready-Reference/Biographies-and-Profiles/McGeorgeBundy.aspx 24
“Biographical Profiles: McGeorge Bundy”, John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum,
http://www.jfklibrary.org/Research/Research-Aids/Ready-Reference/Biographies-and-Profiles/McGeorgeBundy.aspx
12 UGAMUNC XXI
Kennedy’s Cabinet
worried about the feasibility and not making assumptions than the morality. Bundy’s
only reservation to the Bay of Pigs was whether or not it would work. Once the decision
had been made, Bundy supported it.25
Suggested Reading:
A. https://www.nytimes.com/books/first/b/bird-truth.html (Great Article!)
8. General Lyman Lemnitzer (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff):
Born on August 29th, 1899, in Hornesdale, Pennsylvania, Lemnitzer graduated
West Point in 1920. After graduating, Lemnitzer spent the next 22 years between being a
professor at West Point, a student at the Command and General Staff School, and moving
up in rank within the army. In 1942, he finally received the rank of Brigadier General and
was put in command of the 34th Anti-Aircraft Brigade. During World War II, Lemnitzer
helped plan the capturing of North Africa from Axis control and worked with General
Patton in the invasion of Sicily. Upon his completion of these campaigns, Lemnitzer was
promoted to Field Marshall, Supreme Allied Commander in the Mediterranean Theatre in
1944. His accomplishments in World War II and his later service during the Korean War
cemented Lemnitzer’s spot in the Committee of the Joint Chief of Staff in 1960.26
Finally, in 1960, Lemnitzer was appointed Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff
under Eisenhower, a position he continued to hold until 1962, when he was asked to be
the Supreme Commander of NATO. During his time as Chairman, Lemnitzer was given
control of the U.S.’s Nuclear Forces and was in charge of the deterrence strategy against
the Soviets. It wasn’t until after the failure of the Bay of Pigs Invasion that Kennedy had
Lemnitzer leave office. Kennedy felt Lemnitzer and the rest of the Joint Chief of Staff
Committee had not gathered enough reliable information prior to Kennedy giving the goahead for the invasion. However, Kennedy did delay Lemnitzer’s role, as Commander of
NATO, until after the Cuban Missile Crisis had been resolved in 1962.27
Suggested Readings:
A. https://secureapps.libraries.psu.edu/PACFTB/bios/biography.cfm?AuthorID=713
3
B. http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/biographies/32415987/lemnitzer-lyman-louis
9. General Maxwell D. Taylor (Military Advisor):
General Maxwell D. Taylor was born in Keytesville, Missouri, on August 26,
1901. After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 1922, Taylor was assigned to
the 101st Airborne during the later stages of WWII after his service in Italy during the
earlier stages of the U.S. involvement in the war. After a heart attack, General Bill Lee
25
Baird, Kai, “The Color of Truth: McGeorge Bundy and William Bundy: Brothers on Arms. A Biography,
The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/books/first/b/bird-truth.html (1999)
26 “Lyman L. Lemnitzer”, Arlington National Cemetery Website,
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/lemnitz.htm
27
“Lyman Louis Lemnitzer Facts”, Biograhy.yourdictionary.com, Love to Know Corp.,
http://biography.yourdictionary.com/lyman-louis-lemnitzer (2014)
13 UGAMUNC XXI
Kennedy’s Cabinet
left his forces with Taylor, who later jumped into Normandy on D-Day with his men.
Following the war in 1945, Taylor was appointed as the Superintendent at West Point. In
1953, he was deployed to Korea, and in 1955, he became the Army Chief of Staff. During
his time, President Eisenhower sent Taylor and his 101st Airborne to Little Rock,
Arkansas, to enforce the desegregation of schools. Taylor later became very critical of
Eisenhower, not for his support of desegregation, but for his overreliance on nuclear
weapons for U.S. military strategy.28
After the failure of the Bay of Pigs, Kennedy recruited Taylor to be his Chief of
Staff. Taylor’s first assignment was to investigate what had exactly went wrong leading
up to the Bay of Pigs. During this time, Kennedy and Taylor developed a deep friendship
and respect for one another that would last until Kennedy’s assassination in 1963. Taylor
also played an extremely important role in the Vietnam War; Taylor recommended and
ordered the first 8,000 troops that were sent into Vietnam. This action would open him to
criticism for decades to come.29
Suggested Readings:
A. http://arlingtoncemetery.net/mdtaylor.htm
B. http://spartacus-educational.com/JFKtaylorM.htm
10. Kenneth O’Donnell (Chief of Staff to the President):
Kenneth O’Donnell was born on March 4th, 1924, in Worcester, Massachusetts.
O’Donnell originally met Kennedy as his roommate at Harvard University.30 He later
continued his education by receiving a law degree from Boston College. Originally,
O’Donnell went on to start his professional career as a salesman for Hollingsworth and
Whitney. His first major role in politics came when Kennedy asked him to help in his
campaign for Senate. By 1960, O’Donnell’s experience in politics earned him the
opportunity to be the organizer and director for Kennedy’s Presidential Campaign. After
the win, Kennedy appointed O’Donnell to be his special assistant.31
As the Presidents Chief of Staff, O’Donnell would not normally be expected to
advise the President on how to handle world events; however, O’Donnell seemed to be a
part of almost every decision and readily had the President’s ear. O’Donnell sat in and
advised the President for both the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis.32
The one area where the two had opposing views was The Vietnam War. O’Donnell was
28
“Maxwell Davenport Taylor”, Arlington National Cemetery Website,
http://arlingtoncemetery.net/mdtaylor.htm
29 Ibid
30
“Biographical Profiles”, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum,
http://www.jfklibrary.org/Research/Research-Aids/Ready-Reference/Biographies-and-Profiles/Kenneth-PODonnell.aspx
31
“Kenneth O’Donnell”, Spartacus Educational Publishers Ltd., http://spartacuseducational.com/JFKodonnell.htm (2014)
32
“Biographical Profiles: Kenneth P. O’Donnell”, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum,
http://www.jfklibrary.org/Research/Research-Aids/Ready-Reference/Biographies-and-Profiles/Kenneth-PODonnell.aspx
14 UGAMUNC XXI
Kennedy’s Cabinet
an early critic and very outspoken against the war.33 Truly going above and beyond his
duties, O’Donnell went on to be the Presidential Aide (Chief of Staff) for President
Lyndon B. Johnson until 1965.34 In 1963, O’Donnell was riding in the secret service car
behind one of his best friends, President Kennedy, when he was assassinated. There was
only one witness with a closer view.
Suggested Readings:
A. http://spartacus-educational.com/JFKodonnell.htm
B. http://theodonnellreport.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-kennedy-years-recollectionsby.html
11. Theodore Sorenson (White House Counsel):
Sorenson was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on May 8, 1928. He graduated
valedictorian from the University of Nebraska, where he went on to study law.
Sorenson’s first job was as an attorney with the Federal Security Agency. Sorenson’s first
taste in politics came when he worked for Paul H. Douglas’s Senate staff committee.
Douglas later introduced Sorenson to Kennedy. The two quickly became friends and
shared many of the same political views. Sorenson always echoed leftist views and was a
member of Americans for Democratic Action.35
Kennedy would eventually go on to appoint Sorenson as his Chief Speech Writer.
Sorenson had an amazing talent for writing and for portraying Kennedy’s political
views.36 Sorenson is largely credited with writing Kennedy’s inaugural address and the
famous quote, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your
country.”37 Sorenson was not just a talented speechwriter, but was also one of Kennedy’s
most trusted advisors. His contributions included election strategy, foreign policy advice,
and domestic politics.38 Kennedy had Sorenson coordinate and plan domestic policies
and was a part of the executive committee for the Cuban Missile Crisis. Kennedy even
put him in charge of formulating the messages sent to Soviet Leader, Nikita
Khrushchev.39
Suggested Readings:
A. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/01/ted-sorensen-jfk-speechwriterdies
33 “Kenneth O’Donnell”, Spartacus Educational Publishers Ltd., http://spartacuseducational.com/JFKodonnell.htm (2014)
34 “Biographical Profiles: Kenneth P. O’Donnell”, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum,
http://www.jfklibrary.org/Research/Research-Aids/Ready-Reference/Biographies-and-Profiles/Kenneth-PODonnell.aspx 35
“Theodore (Ted) Sorenson”, Spartacus Educational Publishers Ltd., http://spartacuseducational.com/JFKsorenson.htm (2014)
36 Ibid
37
Weiner, Tim, “Theodore C. Sorenson, 82, Kennedy Counselor, Dies”, New York Times Company,
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/us/01sorensen.html?pagewanted=all (2010)
38 Ibid
39 Ibid 15 UGAMUNC XXI
Kennedy’s Cabinet
B. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/18/books/review/Rosenthalt.html?pagewanted=all
12. Adlai Stevenson (Ambassador to the United Nations):
Stevenson was born in Los Angeles, California, on February 5, 1900.40
Stevenson’s education consisted of an undergraduate degree from Princeton and a law
degree from Northwestern. After graduating, Stevenson practiced law in Chicago and
joined the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations. He was elected to be president of the
organization in 1933. After World War II, the Secretary of the Navy appointed Stevenson
to be top aide, which later led him to be one of the primary people for forming the United
Nations. In 1948, Stevenson was elected governor of Illinois. Stevenson gained great
popularity during this time. He was credited with “helping the Midwest burst from its
isolationism, promoting public service as the highest calling of citizenship, and
challenging Americans and all peoples to step back from the nuclear precipice and unite
around their common humanity.”41
After his election, Kennedy appointed Stevenson to be the U.S. Representative to
the United Nations. During his time as the U.S. Representative, Stevenson made
promoting liberal politics a top priority and, “brought foreign policy to the forefront in
the political agenda of the United States of America.”42 As ambassador to the UN,
Stevenson played integral roles in both the Bay of Pigs Invasion and The Cuban Missile
Crisis. Stevenson once confronted the Soviet Ambassador, asking him if they had placed
offensive weapons in Cuba; when waiting for his response, Stevenson said, “I will wait
until Hell freezes over.” Stevenson remained in his position as representative until his
death in 1965.”43
Suggested Readings:
A. http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/0205.html
B. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgR8NjNw__I (video)
13. Stewart L. Udall (Secretary of the Interior):
Born on January 31, 1920, in St. Johns, Arizona, Secretary Stewart Udall’s career
in national politics began in 1954 when he was elected to Congress as a U.S.
Representative from Arizona’s Second District.44 While in Congress, Udall interests in
protecting nature and the public from hazardous materials “grew out of his representation
40
“Adlai Stevenson”, Spartacus Educational Ltd., http://spartacus-educational.com/USAstevensonA.htm
(2014)
41
Wyman, Dr. Walter, Adlai E. Stevenson II, Stevenson Center for Community and Economic
Development, Illinois State University, http://stevensoncenter.org/about/stevenson.shtml (2014)
42 “Adlai Stevenson II”, The Famous People, http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/adlai-ewingstevenson-ii-618.php
43 “Adlai E. Stevenson”, United States History, u-s-history.com, http://www.u-shistory.com/pages/h1760.html 44 Weller, Deborah. "Stewart L. Udall: Career Chronology." Library.arizona.edu. The University of
Arizona, Oct. 1997. Web. 15 Nov. 2014..
16 UGAMUNC XXI
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of thousands of uranium miners, nuclear weapons industry workers, and citizens exposed
to radiation from atomic weapons manufacturing and testing in the West.”45 His passion
for preserving the environment, coupled with his enthusiasm to elect President Kennedy,
made him the ideal candidate as Secretary of the Interior. Udall hoped to work with
Kennedy to increase the public’s knowledge on the salience of the environment and the
importance of preservation.
As interior secretary, Udall presided over the acquisition of 3.85 million acres of
land, which included national parks, historic sites, seashores, and national monuments.46
Secretary Udall served under both President Kennedy and President Johnson, one of
Kennedy’s few cabinet members who remained in their post after his death.
Suggested Readings:
A. http://www.library.arizona.edu/exhibits/sludall/articlepages/article9.html
B. http://www.latimes.com/science/la-os-udall12jul12-story.html - page=1
14. Abraham A. Ribicoff (Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare):
Born on April 9, 1910, in New Britain, Connecticut, Abraham A. Ribicoff became
a prominent figure in politics long before joining President Kennedy’s cabinet.47 A
graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, Secretary Ribicoff started his political
career in the Connecticut General Assembly in 1938; however, a mere ten years later he
won his election to Congress, defeating a Republican incumbent to represent the First
District in the state. During his first two terms in Congress, Ribicoff avidly supported the
Truman Administration, especially in its efforts to thwart the spread of communism.
President Kennedy and Ribicoff also met and formed their friendship during Ribicoff’s
first term in Congress, where they continued to champion policies they believed were for
the good of the American public.48 Also at this time, Ribicoff saw the potential for
Kennedy as a presidential candidate and pushed his friend to pursue the executive office.
After a brief stint in Congress, the state of Connecticut elected Secretary Ribicoff
as Governor in 1955, a position he held until asked to serve as President Kennedy’s U.S.
Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. In this new position, Secretary Ribicoff
hoped to aid President Kennedy in creating policies for the social progression of the
United States.49 Ribicoff was extremely influential in his fight with the President on
education and Medicare programs. He also achieved substantial welfare reform during his
tenure in the position.50
Suggested Readings:
45
Schneider, Keith, and Cornelia Dean. "Stewart L. Udall, Conservationist in Kennedy and Johnson
Cabinets, Dies at 90." The New York Times. The New York Times, 20 Mar. 2010. Web. 15 Nov. 2014.
46 Ibid 47
"Ribicoff of Connecticut Dies; Governor and Senator Was 87." The New York Times 23 Feb. 1998: A17.
The New York Times. The New York Times. Web. 13 Nov. 2014.
48
Ibid
49
Newman, Jon O. "Abe Ribicoff: A Connecticut Original." Courant.com. Hartford Courant, 21 Nov.
2014. Web. 21 Nov. 2014.
50 Ibid
17 UGAMUNC XXI
Kennedy’s Cabinet
A. http://articles.latimes.com/1998/feb/23/news/mn-22278
B. http://www.ctstatelibrary.org/pages/democrat/abraham-ribicoff-governorconnecticu
15. General Curtis LeMay (Chief of Staff to the United States Air Force):
Born in Columbus, Ohio, on November 15, 1906, General Curtis Lemay’s life as
a military man began at the Ohio State University, where he enrolled in the JROTC
program there.51 After graduation, the United States Army Air Corps commissioned
LeMay as a Second Lieutenant, and he instantly emerged as a gifted aerial pilot.
However, General Lemay’s military tactics and distinguished combat operations were
most poignant during World War II, in which he emerged as a renowned, calculated,
precise, yet belligerent commander.52
Before his appointment as the Chief of Staff to the United States Air Force,
General LeMay served as the Vice Chief of Staff to the United States Air Force. This
position made LeMay a dominant player in shaping the U.S. foreign policy, especially in
regards to America’s fight on communism.53 General Lemay’s attitude on war, and
combat, at times might prove contradictory to President Kennedy’s own intuition on the
appropriate way to handle crises facing the American public.54 While President
Kennedy’s knowledge of foreign policy pales in comparison to Lemay, his willingness to
avoid confrontation challenges General Lemay’s belief in strong, forceful, and relentless
strategic operations to national threats.55
Suggested Readings:
A. http://www.nytimes.com/1990/10/02/obituaries/gen-curtis-lemay-an-architect-ofstrategic-air-power-dies-at-83.html
B. http://online.wsj.com/articles/SB124234559143121723
51
"General Curtis LeMay." Ohio History Central. Ohio History Connection, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2014.
Ibid
53
Ibid
54
"LeMay and Kennedy Argue Over Cuban Missile Crisis." History Channel. A &E Television Networks.
19 Oct. 1962. Radio. Transcript.
55
Ibid
52
18