John F.

Kennedy and the Peace Corps For almost half a century, two of the most powerful nations--the United States and the Soviet Union-- lived in rivalry of each other; this time period, lasting from 1945-1991 is referred to as the Cold War. This war involved no direct military combat between the two nations but rather ongoing psychological warfare and various threats from both sides of nuclear mass destruction. The reason for uneasiness was that the Soviet Union wanted to be recognized as an international superpower and dominate world relations. Moreover, the United States wanted to prevent communism from spreading and in turn advance world-wide democracy. Over the forty-seven years in which the dispute lasted, there were nine US presidents that went through office; each one putting his own efforts into action in order to fight communism and promote Americas interests in the war. Among these presidents was John F. Kennedy, a Massachusetts native and Harvard alumnus. His contributions to the Cold War were many and of great impact. One of Kennedys most notable accomplishments relating to the Cold War was the Peace Corps-- a government run, non-profit organization. His vision was for it to promote peace by providing assistance in the social and environmental spheres of other countries. When it came to JFKs attention that the Soviet Union had hundreds of men and women, scientists, physicists, teachers, engineers, doctors, and nurses...in the service of world communism (JFKLIB) Kennedy felt compelled to create an organization stemming out of the United States to avidly spread democracy as the USSR had done to spread communism. On March 1st of 1961 this vision of his became a reality when he was able to issue an executive order to test run the program: How many of you, who are going to be doctors, are willing to spend your days in Ghana? How many technicians of you are willing to work in the Foreign Service and spend your lives traveling around the world?, he proclaimed (JFKLIB). Congress adopted the Peace Corps as a permanent Federal Agency in September of the same year. For the next two decades, thousands of young people

volunteered to participate in program, fueling its accomplishment in becoming an independent agency in 1981. (LII) At the height of the Cold War, the Peace Corps sent volunteers to dozens of underdeveloped countries in order to:

1. Promote understanding of America among people in underdeveloped countries 2. Promote understanding among Americans about people in underdeveloped countries 3.Provide trained manpower JFK sought to share American culture and the kindness of its people to ultimately win the hearts of foreigners (BROOKINGS). However, since these initial goals were established, the Peace Corps has adjusted along with the changes in society and technology. In fact, the country to have benefited the most from the agency is, ironically, America itself. But even then, the Peace Corps is still considered a valuable tool of the US Government. It successfully gave the United States a paternal reputation to many countries. Since its conception, the Peace Corps has sent out over 200,000 volunteers that have served in 139 countries to work on issues ranging from sickness to infrastructure to improving education (PCORPS). In 2011, the Peace Corps was able to celebrate their 50th year anniversary-- this encouraged and reassured many of the effectiveness and legacy of the agency. In conclusion, it is clear that JFKs efforts to create the Peace Corps have inspired us all. Not only did it help spread democracy, but it created the caring reputation the United States is so wellknown for in the present day. The preservation and advancement of this program would be a wise move for future generations, to maintain peace and security throughout the nations.

"Reconsidering the Peace Corps." The Brookings Institution. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 June 2013

"Peace Corps." - John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 June 2013. "22 USC 25011 - Independent Agency Status of Peace Corps." LII. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 June 2013. "Peace Corps." About Us. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 June 2013.