American Foreign Policy during the John F. Kennedys Presidency in Polish Press since 1960 to 1963

The aim of the authoress was to show that the Polish reception of John F. Kennedy's presidency broke in a way with the stereotype of the American leader as an imperialist and political brawler. Kennedy's election to the American presidency revived great expectations in the whole world, including the Soviet bloc. In opinion of Polish press Kennedy represented the new generation of young political leaders not involved in old arguments, and devoid of the harmful cold war prejudices. Therefore it was believed that his presidency may lead up to a radical improvement in U.S.-Soviet relations. However this positive image was changed in consequence of the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. These events cast doubts on Kennedy's peaceful approach to international affairs. The press pointed out that the peaceful rhetoric of the new administration was not compatible with the actions initiated by the White House in order to bring about the world crisis. This inconsistency in the U.S. foreign policy was perceived as a result of the pressure exerted on Kennedy by the Cold Warriors faction dominating in Washington. Young, inexperienced and not having strong political base in Congress president was thought to be unable to oppose it. Polish journalists indicated that president Kennedy fulfilled his function in particular international situation, when the prestige and primacy of the United States had visibly fallen. His policy, as it was seen by press, was for that reason determined by aspiration to preserve the picture of America as a world leader and the necessity to meet the challenge from the Soviet Union.