The Difficult Friendship That Shaped The Sixties: The Untold Story of LBJ and JFK

The Early Years

Lyndon B. Johnson and John F. Kennedy were both born in 1917, and they first met in 1948 when they were both members of the US Senate. Johnson was a powerful and ambitious politician from Texas, while Kennedy was a charming and charismatic senator from Massachusetts.

Despite their different backgrounds, Johnson and Kennedy quickly became friends. They shared a love of politics and a desire to make a difference in the world. They also had a mutual respect for each other's abilities.

However, their friendship was not without its challenges. Johnson was often jealous of Kennedy's charisma and popularity. Kennedy, on the other hand, sometimes found Johnson to be too blunt and abrasive.

The 1960 Presidential Election

In 1960, Johnson and Kennedy were both candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination. Johnson was the early frontrunner, but Kennedy eventually won the nomination after a hard-fought campaign.

Johnson was disappointed to lose the nomination, but he agreed to support Kennedy in the general election. He campaigned hard for Kennedy, and he is credited with helping Kennedy to win the election.

The Kennedy Presidency

Kennedy's presidency was a time of great change and upheaval. He launched the civil rights movement, he initiated the Vietnam War, and he presided over the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Johnson was a close advisor to Kennedy during his presidency. He played a key role in the development of Kennedy's civil rights policy, and he was one of the most vocal supporters of the Vietnam War.

However, Johnson's relationship with Kennedy was not always easy. Johnson was often frustrated by Kennedy's idealism and his unwillingness to compromise.

The Johnson Presidency

After Kennedy's assassination in 1963, Johnson became president. He inherited a country that was deeply divided over the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement.

Johnson was determined to continue Kennedy's legacy. He passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. He also escalated the Vietnam War, which led to a sharp increase in American casualties.

Johnson's presidency was marked by both triumph and tragedy. He achieved some of the most significant social reforms in American history, but he also oversaw the escalation of the Vietnam War, which ultimately led to his downfall.

The Legacy of LBJ and JFK

LBJ and JFK were two of the most important presidents in American history. They shaped the course of the 1960s, and their legacy continues to be debated today.

Johnson was a master of the legislative process, and he passed some of the most significant social reforms in American history. However, he is also remembered for his escalation of the Vietnam War, which ultimately led to his downfall.

Kennedy was a charismatic and inspiring leader who captured the imagination of the American people. He launched the civil rights movement, and he initiated the space program. However, he was also responsible for the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

LBJ and JFK were both complex and flawed individuals. However, they were also two of the most important presidents in American history. Their legacy continues to be debated today, but there is no doubt that they shaped the course of the 1960s.