The American Exceptionalism Movement

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty” (Kennedy 70). When President John F Kennedy took his oath of office assured liberty in America and throughout the world as his promise to the America. President Kennedy’s actions and words had an impact on the concept of American exceptionalism. During the 1960’s, racial segregation and the movement to stop it, along with the Cuban missile crisis consumed the nation. In an era in which American values were tested against racial injustice and tyrannical governments, President John F. Kennedy stood firm in his commitment to upholding liberty
“American Exceptionalism refers to the uniqueness of the United States as a uniquely free nation based on democratic ideals and personal liberties” (Tyrrell). America is a free nation based on democratic ideals and personal liberty. "The United States is different. America was founded at a particular time, by a particular people, on the basis of particular principles about man, liberty, and constitutional government" (Spalding). The founding fathers shared a common basis of beliefs on man, liberty, and justice that they embodied in the heart of the nation through the Founding Documents. Which instill America's exceptionality through their emphasis on the principles of human liberty, principles of equality, and its protection of the inherent rights of man. The high ideals and values that makes America exceptional, are not only made a standard for the nation, but the same standards are also expected from other nations around the world. Part of American exceptionalism is the realization that America is like a city on a hill an example for all to see, and championing its standards in the world around the nation. American exceptionalism is found in the principles of freedom, equality, and liberty that runs deep in the veins of the nation and lies in America acting as a beacon for the world of its high ideals, which President Kennedy fully
Kennedy stood strong in our country’s commitment to liberty and equality through it all. On October 16, 1962, it was discovered that The USSR had robbed the Cuban people of their freedoms and now had their weapons of mass destruction set for America. With weapons and communist control in Cuba, Commander Khrushchev threatened the United States with nuclear war. President Kennedy sought to uphold liberty across the world, making a commitment to the Cuban people to not rest until all are free from the grips of communism. “I speak to you as a friend, as one who shares your aspirations for liberty and justice for all. Freedom is indivisible, and when one man is enslaved, all are not free” (Kennedy 89). John F. Kennedy expressed his commitment to liberty and justice in his vision for all to be free from the communist regime. Kennedy just like the founding fathers before him vowed to pay the costs for all to be free and committed to staying strong against tyranny. "The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission” (Horan). President Kennedy vowed to never surrender and to stand up to those who challenge the founding principles of America, liberty and equality. Through his decision-making and personal convictions about the Cuban Missile Crisis,