JFK presidency (jan 1, 1961 – jan 27, 1963)

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Kennedy not committed to civil rights initially; his greatest worry was losing the support of the southern Democrats.

The idea here was Pragmatism rather than principle, with the crucial factor being law and order. JFK's intention was that if the southern states could maintain order, Kennedy would not interfere too much. If southern authorities could protect the demonstrators from the mobs, the police could arrest the protesters.

Hence the pivotal role played by MLK and the civil rights movement, the media and the Cold War climate: MLK deliberately selected areas for protest where known racists were in charge and violent reprisals were likely to ensue; this would bring the publicity the so damaging for the image of the USA as leader of the free world and hence would convince JFK of the need for action.

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