John F Kennedy Response To Jfk Speech

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n July 1963, President John F. Kennedy made a speech to the American that addressed the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. In his statement, JFK stated that: the United States, the Soviet Union, and Great Britain agreed to stop testing nuclear weapons on the ground, in the air, in space, or in any bodies of water. Instead, these countries had come to a consensus that it would only be legal to test nuclear weapons below ground level. In addition, JFK also addressed the threats that led to this pact. President Kennedy gave this speech to demonstrate the dangers of the arms race and to convince the American people that this treaty was the first step in disarmament in nuclear weapons and peace. The first and one of the most menacing …show more content…

Kennedy explained that if the arms race expanded; more countries would have the knowledge and power to produce nuclear weapons. In fact, if nuclear weapons spread to more countries, more problems in the world would ensue. Kennedy argued the severity of these problems, when he stated, “There would be no rest for anyone then, no stability, no real security, and no chance of effective disarmament. There would only be the increased chance of accidental war.” (Kennedy, 3) Because of the expansion of nuclear weapons, Kennedy argued that the world would only be in a state of turmoil, fear, death, and destruction. To emphasize this point, Kennedy demonstrated the destructive power of nuclear weapons. Kennedy stated, “...one bomb could release more destructive power on the inhabitants on of that one helpless city than all the bombs dropped in the Second World War.” (Kennedy, 4) This statement by Kennedy truly exemplifies the power of nuclear weapons because it shows it simply could wipe out any city with ease. Kennedy stated this new treaty could potentially produce new treaties to buffer the spread of nuclear weapons. Kennedy argued, “We have a great obligation, all four nuclear powers have a great obligation, to use whatever time remains to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons...This treaty can be the opening wedge in that campaign...It opens the door for further agreements on the control of nuclear weapons.”(Kennedy, 4) Kennedy stated that this compromise would be influential in the formation of treaties to stop the spread of nuclear

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