Kennedy AssassinationKennedy AssassinationCutting through ConspiraciesCutting through Conspiracies

This is a long but interesting PowerPoint. It will take you through the events on November 22, 1963 and look at some of the conspiracy claims regarding the Kennedy assassination. It also compares the conspiracy theories to other celebrity conspiracy claims such as those of Elvis and Tupac. Watch the actual Zapruder film and then go through this PPT before filling out your Document Analysis Worksheet on the Zapruder film. You may have to stretch a bit or even just leave blank some of the questions as they are not all applicable to this document.

“Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans.”

Kennedy’s inaugeral speech, 22 January 1961.

Concerns at Home

‘Camelot’ – the charm offensive

Black Civil Rights

Kennedy brothers’ war on organised crime

Kennedy’s domestic programmes did not advance very far due to increasing problems abroad.

Foreign Policy Problems Facing Kennedy:

The Soviet Union

Nikita KhrushchevThe Space RaceEast Germany

The Berlin Wall 1961

Cuba

Fidel Castro

Bay of Pigs Fiasco 1961

US assisted invasion of Cuba by Cuban exiles fails disastrously

Cuban Missile Crisis 1962

Vietnam?

Cold War Rivalries with Russia

Kennedy saw Texas as the key to his success in the South and he decided to visit the state in November. This was partly to be a charm crusade but Kennedy was also hoping to heal a damaging split which had occurred within the Texan Democratic Party , between the left-wing led by Senator Ralph Yarborough and the right, led by the State Governor, John Connally.

By the middle of 1963 Kennedy was considering his chances of winning a second term as President. He began preparing for the 1964 presidential election campaign. Kennedy faced a difficult task. Many felt that his foreign policy had been less than successful.

The South was vital to Kennedy’s chances of electoral success. But Kennedy was distrusted by many southern whites, partly because of his sympathy towards the black civil rights movement and also because of his failure to eliminate the communist Fidel Castro in Cuba. Also, Kennedy was a northern catholic.

Texas

Dallas

Fort Worth

Kennedy’s Texas visit started first at Fort Worth. Then, on the morning of the 22 November, Kennedy took the short flight from Fort Worth to Love Airfield, Dallas.President Kennedy speaking to a

crowd at Fort Worth in the early morning of 22 November. Behind him [L – R] are Senator Ralph Yarborough, Governor John Connally and Vice-President Lyndon Johnson.

November 22, 1963November 22, 1963

JFK was in Dallas JFK was in Dallas trying to get trying to get support for next support for next year’s election.year’s election.

Dallas had an Dallas had an unfriendly unfriendly reputation towards reputation towards politicians.politicians.

Lee Harvey OswaldLee Harvey Oswald

Shown here in Shown here in Oak Cliff, Oak Cliff, Texas.Texas.

Tried to defect Tried to defect to the Soviet to the Soviet Union and Cuba.Union and Cuba.

School Book DepositorySchool Book Depository

LHO got a job in this building. He would LHO got a job in this building. He would eventually shoot JFK from the sixth floor.eventually shoot JFK from the sixth floor.

6th floor

Sixth Floor of the School Book Depository

Sniper’s perchSniper’s perch

This is Lee Harvey This is Lee Harvey Oswald’s view Oswald’s view from the 6from the 6thth floor floor of the School of the School Book DepositoryBook Depository

Zapruder’s film was the most Zapruder’s film was the most famous evidencefamous evidence

He was filming from here.He was filming from here.

3rd shot

1st shot

Sniper perch

This plaque sits next to where he was This plaque sits next to where he was fatally shot.fatally shot.

Kennedy was rushed to ParklandKennedy was rushed to Parkland

Oswald fled the scene Oswald fled the scene

He checked into He checked into his boarding house his boarding house on 1026 Beckley.on 1026 Beckley.

Officer J. Tippit Officer J. Tippit stops on the street stops on the street to talk to Oswald.to talk to Oswald.

Oswald shoots him Oswald shoots him 4 times to death4 times to death

Lee Harvey Oswald walked 8 blocks Lee Harvey Oswald walked 8 blocks to Texas Theatre on Jefferson Blvd.to Texas Theatre on Jefferson Blvd.

ArrestedArrested

The Cops beat The Cops beat him up after him up after Oswald resists Oswald resists arrest at the arrest at the theatre.theatre.

LBJ was sworn in at Love FieldLBJ was sworn in at Love Field

LHO was being escorted to another LHO was being escorted to another jail.jail.

Oswald transferred to another jail.Oswald transferred to another jail.

Jack Ruby, a Jack Ruby, a Dallas nightclub Dallas nightclub owner, shoots owner, shoots Oswald on live TV.Oswald on live TV.

LHO will never go LHO will never go on record why he on record why he did what he did. He did what he did. He is now dead.is now dead.

LHO killedLHO killed

““You killed You killed the President, the President, you rat!”you rat!”

Case Closed?Case Closed?

Oswald fired 3 shots (missed the first one)Oswald fired 3 shots (missed the first one) The assassination was filmed (Zapruder)The assassination was filmed (Zapruder) The government investigated the murder for The government investigated the murder for

years and concluded that Oswald acted alone.years and concluded that Oswald acted alone. Virtually no witness at that time gave Virtually no witness at that time gave

indication that more than 3 shots were fired at indication that more than 3 shots were fired at Kennedy.Kennedy.

However. . . .However. . . .

80% of people today believe JFK was killedby someone else!!!!

Composite Conspiracy StoryComposite Conspiracy Story

JFK was killed by a conspiracy of high JFK was killed by a conspiracy of high government officials with LBJ working government officials with LBJ working with the CIA, the mafia and anti-Castro with the CIA, the mafia and anti-Castro Americans who all want revenge for Americans who all want revenge for Kennedy’s lack of support in the failed Kennedy’s lack of support in the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. At the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. At the same time (same time (in contradiction), in contradiction), Castro Castro killed JFK with Russia’s help. Jack Ruby killed JFK with Russia’s help. Jack Ruby killed LHO so he wouldn’t talk. Ruby killed LHO so he wouldn’t talk. Ruby died with a deep, dark secret!died with a deep, dark secret!

Let’s keep in mindLet’s keep in mind

Many people thought Elvis was alive for Many people thought Elvis was alive for decades after his death.decades after his death.

Many people think Tupac Shakur is alive.Many people think Tupac Shakur is alive. Many people think that NASA never landed Many people think that NASA never landed

on the moon.on the moon. Many think Bush let 9-11 happen on purpose.Many think Bush let 9-11 happen on purpose.

To make matters worse. . .To make matters worse. . .

Oliver Stone made a Oliver Stone made a movie called movie called JFKJFK in in 1992.1992.

The movie is full of The movie is full of errors, lies and bad errors, lies and bad science.science.

Stone’s Stone’s JFKJFK helped advance these helped advance these falsehoods about the assassination:falsehoods about the assassination:

Oswald could not have shot JFK from the sixth Oswald could not have shot JFK from the sixth floor in less than 6 seconds.floor in less than 6 seconds.

Kennedy was shot from the front by gunmen Kennedy was shot from the front by gunmen on the grassy knoll.on the grassy knoll.

Jack Ruby killed Oswald on orders from the Jack Ruby killed Oswald on orders from the mafia to keep Oswald quiet about everything.mafia to keep Oswald quiet about everything.

Could Oswald have made those Could Oswald have made those shots?shots?

Yes! Oswald was a Yes! Oswald was a sharpshooter trained by sharpshooter trained by the US Marines.the US Marines.

He scored a 212 out of He scored a 212 out of 250 on a 200 yard 250 on a 200 yard shooting range.shooting range.

JFK’s car was only 50 JFK’s car was only 50 yards away from the yards away from the sniper’s nest and moved sniper’s nest and moved 10mph10mph

Jack RubyJack Ruby

Conspiracists believe Conspiracists believe Jack Ruby was a Jack Ruby was a mobster who killed mobster who killed Oswald to silence him.Oswald to silence him.

Ruby died in jail a Ruby died in jail a couple of years later, couple of years later, supposedly with some supposedly with some deep dark secret.deep dark secret.

However. . .However. . .

Jack Ruby knew Jack Ruby knew gangsters but was not gangsters but was not one. (He knew lots of one. (He knew lots of cops too!)cops too!)

He was a night club He was a night club owner.owner.

Those that knew him Those that knew him said he couldn’t keep a said he couldn’t keep a secret for 2 minutes!secret for 2 minutes!

RubyRuby

Ruby’s assassination Ruby’s assassination was not planned. was not planned.

Ruby left his dog and Ruby left his dog and his girlfriend in the car his girlfriend in the car when he left to shoot when he left to shoot Oswald.Oswald.

No conspiracy here No conspiracy here from Jack Ruby!from Jack Ruby!

Was Kennedy shot from the front?Was Kennedy shot from the front?

2nd assassin?

Zapruder

Back and to the left?Back and to the left?

Many assume Many assume based on JFK’s based on JFK’s bodily motion bodily motion and blood spray and blood spray that he was shot that he was shot from the front.from the front.

No witnesses reported gunshots that No witnesses reported gunshots that day!day!

2nd assassin?

Zapruder

wall

All witnesses that day described All witnesses that day described shots from where Oswald wasshots from where Oswald was

Witness described people but no shots behind fence

Oswald

Picket fencePicket fence

View from behind fence (x marks the View from behind fence (x marks the spot)spot)

3rd shot

Picket fence shooter theoryPicket fence shooter theory

There were plenty of witnesses in that area. There were plenty of witnesses in that area. None reported hearing shots. A few attention None reported hearing shots. A few attention seekers claimed they did years later.seekers claimed they did years later.

The witness behind the fence died in a single The witness behind the fence died in a single car crash 2 years later, festering conspirators' car crash 2 years later, festering conspirators' ideas.ideas.

Many witnesses have been accused of being a Many witnesses have been accused of being a part of the conspiracy, including Zapruder part of the conspiracy, including Zapruder (born in Russia).(born in Russia).

AutopsyAutopsy

Kennedy was hit in the back of the neck, not Kennedy was hit in the back of the neck, not the front.the front.

He was hit in the back of the head, not the He was hit in the back of the head, not the front.front.

A shooter could not have hit JFK from the A shooter could not have hit JFK from the fence without hitting Jackie or her area.fence without hitting Jackie or her area.

Magic Bullet?Magic Bullet?

Oliver Stone argued that a single bullet could Oliver Stone argued that a single bullet could not have hit JFK and Governor Connally the not have hit JFK and Governor Connally the way reported.way reported.

Magic Bullet?Magic Bullet?

Using the bullet wounds, Stone used this Using the bullet wounds, Stone used this diagram to convince people that one bullet diagram to convince people that one bullet could not hit JFK and the governor the way could not hit JFK and the governor the way reported.reported.

Notice bothNotice both

heads are heads are

level with level with

each other.each other.

JFK sat elevated above ConnallyJFK sat elevated above Connally

wrong

Single Bullet TheorySingle Bullet Theory

Once their seats are properly aligned, the Once their seats are properly aligned, the single bullet theory appears to be valid!single bullet theory appears to be valid!

Umbrella Man?Umbrella Man?

Some say there was a mysterious man fanning Some say there was a mysterious man fanning an umbrella right as Kennedy was shot. Oliver an umbrella right as Kennedy was shot. Oliver Stone said he was signaling to shoot JFK.Stone said he was signaling to shoot JFK.

here

Umbrella ManUmbrella Man

Not much mystery here. Not much mystery here. The man was The man was questioned and questioned and identified.identified.

He was trying to heckle He was trying to heckle JFK with his umbrella JFK with his umbrella in a way that he himself in a way that he himself did not quite did not quite understand.understand.

One guy told me he was One guy told me he was a Soviet agent.a Soviet agent.

here

Badge Man?Badge Man?

Was there a mysterious Was there a mysterious man wearing a badge man wearing a badge near the fence?near the fence?

Again, no shots were Again, no shots were fired from this area. fired from this area.

JFK’s entry wounds JFK’s entry wounds were in the back of his were in the back of his neck and head.neck and head.

Motives?Motives?

Everybody seemed to have a reason Everybody seemed to have a reason to kill JFK if one thinks about it hard to kill JFK if one thinks about it hard enough.enough.

Lyndon B. JohnsonLyndon B. Johnson

Supposedly, JFK Supposedly, JFK wanted to wanted to withdraw from withdraw from Vietnam.Vietnam.

LBJ had him LBJ had him killed so he could killed so he could continue the war continue the war (supposedly).(supposedly).

LBJLBJ

Kennedy gave no Kennedy gave no clear evidence of clear evidence of exiting Vietnam.exiting Vietnam.

LBJ showed no LBJ showed no desire for desire for escalating this escalating this “bitch of a war.” “bitch of a war.” (LBJ’s words).(LBJ’s words).

The Mob?The Mob?

The mob supposedly wanted to murder The mob supposedly wanted to murder Kennedy.Kennedy.

Sam Giancana connectionsSam Giancana connections

Supposedly upset Supposedly upset about JFK’s lack of about JFK’s lack of support for killing support for killing Fidel Castro.Fidel Castro.

Mob continued Mob continued

The mob was upset The mob was upset about Robert Kennedy’s about Robert Kennedy’s pursuit of organized pursuit of organized crime.crime.

RFK was the Attorney RFK was the Attorney General (top cop)General (top cop)

The mafia did not kill JFKThe mafia did not kill JFK

The FBI had the Chicago mafia’s phone The FBI had the Chicago mafia’s phone tapped and their offices tapped for years tapped and their offices tapped for years before 1963. No evidence was heard.before 1963. No evidence was heard.

The mafia had no real interest in JFK. Maybe The mafia had no real interest in JFK. Maybe his brother Robert, but not the President.his brother Robert, but not the President.

Did Mob control Oswald and Ruby?Did Mob control Oswald and Ruby?

Oswald was a lone Oswald was a lone actor, just as he acted actor, just as he acted alone in an attempted alone in an attempted murder of a General murder of a General Walker.Walker.

Ruby knew mobsters, Ruby knew mobsters, but he was not trusted but he was not trusted by them.by them.

Did Castro Kill JFK?Did Castro Kill JFK?

Motive: The CIA Motive: The CIA tried several times to tried several times to kill Fidel Castro. kill Fidel Castro. Operation Mongoose Operation Mongoose considered poisoned considered poisoned cigars, poisoned cigars, poisoned diving suits, mafia diving suits, mafia rub out.rub out.

Did Castro kill JFK?Did Castro kill JFK?

Castro did not have the Castro did not have the means to do so. means to do so.

Castro wanted the US to Castro wanted the US to leave Cuba alone. An leave Cuba alone. An assassination would assassination would have led to an invasion. have led to an invasion. (Castro said this.)(Castro said this.)

Oswald was refused Oswald was refused entry into Cuba.entry into Cuba.

Did the Russians kill JFK?Did the Russians kill JFK?

Motive: The USA Motive: The USA was a serious rival was a serious rival in the Cold War. in the Cold War. Killing JFK would Killing JFK would provide instability provide instability in the military and in the military and government.government.

Russians killed JFK?Russians killed JFK?

Why would the Why would the Russians risk nuclear Russians risk nuclear war? Having LBJ as war? Having LBJ as President would not President would not have benefitedhave benefited

the Soviets.the Soviets.

ConclusionConclusion

People believe what they want to People believe what they want to believe.believe.

Some want to believe JFK was not Some want to believe JFK was not killed by some lone nut.killed by some lone nut.

Some enjoy being in the minority Some enjoy being in the minority opinion.opinion.

Let’s let celebrities die in peace!Let’s let celebrities die in peace!