Joseph Kennedy: Power, Politics and FK’s Fate
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Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.: Power, Influence, and the Shadow Over JFK’s Presidency
🔍 Introduction – The Patriarch of a Political Dynasty
Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. wasn’t just the father of John F. Kennedy—he was the architect of one of the most powerful political dynasties in American history.
🔹 Wall Street investor, Hollywood mogul, and U.S. Ambassador to the UK
🔹 Deep connections to organized crime, corporate elites, and intelligence agencies
🔹 A controversial foreign policy stance, including appeasement of Nazi Germany
🔹 A power broker who helped shape the events that led to the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis
Joseph Kennedy built an empire through backroom deals, high-stakes investments, and alliances with figures in politics, business, and the underworld.
But did his decisions, friendships, and rivalries shape the world events that ultimately led to his son’s assassination?
🗂 The Rise of Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. – From Bootlegging to Political Power
1️⃣ The Business Empire – Fortune Built on Controversy
🔹 Rumors of Bootlegging:
- Joseph Kennedy made millions during Prohibition. Though never formally charged, many historians believe he worked with organized crime figures like Frank Costello and Meyer Lansky.
- His fortune allowed him to build a business empire spanning Wall Street, Hollywood, and real estate.
🔹 Hollywood & Mafia Connections:
- In the 1920s, Kennedy controlled RKO Pictures and had ties to film studio moguls and Mob-backed labor unions.
- FBI files suggest Kennedy had dealings with Mafia leaders, especially in labor negotiations.
🔹 Stock Market Manipulation & Fortune Building:
- Kennedy used insider trading and market manipulation to amass millions before becoming the first chairman of the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission).
- He later reformed the stock market system—but only after using it to his own advantage.
📌 What This Means in Hindsight:
✔ Joseph Kennedy’s fortune gave his family enormous political influence.
✔ His dealings with the Mafia created a legacy that later haunted JFK’s presidency.
✔ His insider knowledge of finance and power made him one of the most influential figures of his time.
➡ Key Question: Did Joseph Kennedy’s early business dealings shape the alliances that later influenced his son’s presidency—and his enemies?
2️⃣ Political Power – U.S. Ambassador to the UK and the Nazi Controversy
🔹 Ambassador to the UK (1938-1940):
- Kennedy advocated for appeasement with Nazi Germany—believing war could be avoided.
- He opposed U.S. involvement in World War II, which clashed with Franklin D. Roosevelt’s stance.
- His views cost him political influence, but he remained a powerful figure behind the scenes.
🔹 Anti-Semitism and Isolationism:
- Kennedy privately expressed anti-Semitic views and opposed Jewish refugees entering the U.S.
- His views damaged his reputation but did not eliminate his political influence.
🔹 Shift to Power Broker:
- After resigning as ambassador, Kennedy focused on building his sons’ political careers—first grooming Joseph Jr. for the presidency, then shifting focus to JFK after Joseph Jr. died in World War II.
📌 What This Means in Hindsight:
✔ Kennedy’s foreign policy stance shaped his son’s early views on diplomacy.
✔ His isolationist beliefs may have influenced JFK’s reluctance to escalate conflicts like Vietnam.
✔ Enemies he made in Washington during World War II later opposed JFK’s presidency.
➡ Key Question: Did Joseph Kennedy’s foreign policy views influence JFK’s decisions during the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis?
🔍 Joseph Kennedy’s Influence on the Bay of Pigs & the Cuban Missile Crisis
3️⃣ Joseph Kennedy’s Ties to the Bay of Pigs Invasion
🔹 Joseph Kennedy’s connections to the CIA and business elite positioned him close to the covert world of intelligence.
🔹 Many of the CIA operatives involved in the Bay of Pigs were connected to the same anti-Communist, pro-business circles that Kennedy operated in.
🔹 Mafia leaders involved in CIA plots to kill Fidel Castro had longstanding connections to Joseph Kennedy from his bootlegging days.
🔹 Kennedy advised JFK on caution—he feared the invasion was a trap.
📌 What This Means in Hindsight:
✔ JFK’s reluctance to fully back the Bay of Pigs invasion may have been shaped by his father’s warnings.
✔ The same intelligence and Mafia networks Joseph Kennedy dealt with in business were involved in the anti-Castro efforts.
✔ The failure of the Bay of Pigs weakened JFK’s presidency and created enemies inside the CIA.
➡ Key Question: Did Joseph Kennedy’s past alliances come back to haunt JFK during his presidency?
4️⃣ The Cuban Missile Crisis – Did Joseph Kennedy Influence JFK’s Decisions?
🔹 Joseph Kennedy believed in secret diplomacy and backchannel negotiations—strategies JFK used in the Cuban Missile Crisis.
🔹 JFK’s decision to strike a deal with Khrushchev (removing U.S. missiles from Turkey in exchange for Soviet withdrawal from Cuba) reflected his father’s pragmatic approach to foreign policy.
🔹 The crisis made JFK more enemies among war hawks in the military and intelligence communities.
📌 What This Means in Hindsight:
✔ Joseph Kennedy’s diplomatic influence shaped JFK’s handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
✔ JFK’s decision to de-escalate the crisis was viewed as weakness by the military-industrial complex.
✔ This decision, along with Vietnam, made JFK a target for those who wanted aggressive military expansion.
➡ Key Question: Did Joseph Kennedy’s foreign policy beliefs indirectly contribute to JFK’s downfall?
🔍 The Legacy of Joseph Kennedy – A Dynasty Marked by Power and Tragedy
🔹 His fortune and influence built the Kennedy political dynasty.
🔹 His business and Mob connections may have created enemies that resurfaced during JFK’s presidency.
🔹 His foreign policy views shaped JFK’s approach to diplomacy—but also put him at odds with intelligence and military leaders.
🔹 The Kennedy family’s continued tragedies suggest that the forces behind JFK’s assassination may have never fully disappeared.
🚨 If Joseph Kennedy’s power and influence shaped world events, did it also play a role in the forces that eventually led to his son’s assassination?
🔚 Closing Thoughts – What’s Next in the Series?
Joseph Kennedy’s influence on world events is undeniable.
In the next supplemental articles, we’ll explore:
🔹 The Kennedy Family & the Mafia – A Dangerous Relationship – How deep did Mob ties go?
🔹 The CIA, the Kennedys, and Cold War Secrets – Did JFK inherit enemies from his father?
🔹 The Kennedy Assassination Aftermath – What Happened to the Family After JFK’s Death?
💡 Your Turn:
Did Joseph Kennedy’s past dealings contribute to JFK’s assassination?
🚀 Drop your thoughts below—we’re building this investigation together.
🔎 Explore More Hidden Truths & Investigations
JFK Assassination Series:
📌 JFK Files: The Secrets They Reveal – Newly unsealed documents challenge the official story. What’s still hidden?
📌 JFK, CIA, and Operation Mongoose – The Bay of Pigs disaster exposed JFK’s war with the CIA. Did it seal his fate?
📌 JFK and the Mafia: The Real Assassination Connections – The Mob helped JFK win, but RFK’s crackdown turned them against him.
📌 The Warren Commission’s Cover-Up – How the government controlled the narrative and buried key evidence.
📌 JFK, Vietnam, and the War Profiteers – JFK wanted to pull out of Vietnam—his death changed everything.
📌 Jack Ruby’s Mafia and CIA Connections – Why did Ruby kill Oswald? Who really ordered the hit?
📌 The HSCA’s Findings on JFK’s Assassination – Congress reopened the case—and found conspiracy. Why was it ignored?
📌 The Final Revelations from the JFK Files – What declassified documents confirm about JFK’s murder.
📌 The Power Shifts After JFK’s Assassination – Who had the most to gain from JFK’s death?
📌 What the Government Still Won’t Release – 60 years later, critical documents are still hidden. Why?
📌 The Hidden Legacy of Joseph Kennedy – How JFK’s father shaped his presidency—and his enemies.
📌 Giancana, the CIA, and JFK – The Mob boss who knew too much. Was he silenced?
📌 The Bay of Pigs Invasion’s Role in JFK’s Death – Did this failed invasion put JFK on a path to assassination?
📌 JFK, The Cold War, and His Fate – His handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis made him enemies.
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