Question 1

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. 
Kerner Commission

Accepted Answer

The Kerner Commission, formally known as the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, was established by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 28, 1967. The commission was named after its chairman, Governor Otto Kerner of Illinois, and was created in response to a series of race riots that erupted in various American cities during the mid-1960s, including major disturbances in Newark, New Jersey, and Detroit, Michigan.

The commission's mandate was to investigate the causes of the civil unrest and to provide recommendations for the future. The Kerner Commission was composed of 11 members, including senators, governors, and other officials, who represented a cross-section of American society.

After seven months of investigation, the commission released its report on February 29, 1968. The report was a stark account of the conditions that led to the racial disturbances. It famously concluded that the United States was "moving toward two societies, one black, one white—separate and unequal." The report identified widespread discrimination and segregation in employment, education, and housing, which had created profound economic and social disparities between white and black Americans.

The Kerner Commission's findings pointed to the failure of both public and private institutions to address the needs and grievances of the African American community. It called for a series of reforms, including the creation of new jobs, the construction of new housing, and the end of de facto segregation in American schools. It also emphasized the need for improved communication between racial communities and called for the media to provide a more balanced and accurate portrayal of the races.

The significance of the Kerner Commission lies in its comprehensive analysis of the systemic problems contributing to racial inequality and civil unrest in the United States. Although many of its recommendations were not implemented, the report remains a landmark document in the history of American civil rights, highlighting the urgent need for reforms to address racial injustice. It continues to be referenced in discussions about race relations and the socio-economic challenges faced by minority communities in the United States.

Question 2

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. 
John F. Kennedy

Accepted Answer

John F. Kennedy, often referred to as JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from January 20, 1961, until his assassination on November 22, 1963. He was a member of the Democratic Party and is remembered for his charismatic leadership, his advocacy for civil rights, and his handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Kennedy's presidency was marked by several significant events, including the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the establishment of the Peace Corps, and the Space Race. He also played a key role in the Civil Rights Movement, although his efforts in this area were somewhat limited during his lifetime.

Kennedy's assassination in Dallas, Texas, had a profound impact on the United States and the world. His death led to an outpouring of grief and a sense of lost potential, as many saw him as a symbol of hope and progress. The circumstances surrounding his assassination have also led to numerous conspiracy theories and investigations.

Overall, John F. Kennedy is remembered as a transformative figure in American history, and his presidency continues to be studied and debated by historians and political analysts.

Question 3

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. 
Cuban missile crisis

Accepted Answer

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union in October 1962. It was the closest the world came to nuclear war during the Cold War. The crisis was sparked when American U-2 spy planes discovered that the Soviet Union was secretly installing nuclear-armed missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles off the coast of Florida.

The significance of the Cuban Missile Crisis is that it brought the world to the brink of nuclear war and forced both the United States and the Soviet Union to carefully consider the consequences of their actions. It also led to a tense standoff between the two superpowers, with the US imposing a naval blockade on Cuba and demanding the removal of the missiles, while the Soviet Union initially denied the existence of the missiles and then eventually agreed to remove them in exchange for the US promising not to invade Cuba and secretly agreeing to remove its own missiles from Turkey.

The crisis ultimately led to a period of improved communication and cooperation between the US and the Soviet Union, as both sides recognized the need to avoid a similar situation in the future. It also highlighted the dangers of nuclear proliferation and the need for arms control agreements, leading to the signing of the Limited Test Ban Treaty in 1963, which prohibited nuclear testing in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater.

Question 4

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. 
Lee Harvey Oswald

Accepted Answer