What would have been the consequences of JFK surviving the assassination attempt on his life on November 22, 1963 without him subsequently ending up brain dead or a vegetable or anything like that? One easy way to do this is by having JFK not ride through Dallas in an open limo.
The most obvious consequence of this that I see is that the US likely withdraws from South Vietnam by the end of 1965, thus allowing South Vietnam to fall to the Vietnamese Communists soon afterwards:
www.thenation.com
In terms of his domestic policy, I'm honestly unsure that JFK would have actually done much differently from LBJ in real life. What do you think? I do wonder if RFK's elective political career might be delayed in this TL, though.
I also wonder how JFK would have handled Israel's nuclear weapons program and the Six Day War. AFAIK, JFK was a very strong critic of Israel's nuclear program, with him fearing that it would spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle East:
foreignpolicy.com
www.jpost.com
www.timesofisrael.com
Which other differences do you think that there would have been between JFK and LBJ? FWIW, I do think that the Democrats will win in 1968 in this TL due to the lack of a Vietnam War. They almost won in 1968 with the Vietnam War as it was. But who will the Democrats nominate in 1968 in this TL? And will JFK dump LBJ as his VP in 1964?
Any thoughts on all of this?
The most obvious consequence of this that I see is that the US likely withdraws from South Vietnam by the end of 1965, thus allowing South Vietnam to fall to the Vietnamese Communists soon afterwards:
JFK’s Vietnam Withdrawal Plan Is a Fact, Not Speculation
A response to Rick Perlstein.
www.thenation.com
In terms of his domestic policy, I'm honestly unsure that JFK would have actually done much differently from LBJ in real life. What do you think? I do wonder if RFK's elective political career might be delayed in this TL, though.
I also wonder how JFK would have handled Israel's nuclear weapons program and the Six Day War. AFAIK, JFK was a very strong critic of Israel's nuclear program, with him fearing that it would spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle East:
How the Israelis Hoodwinked JFK on Going Nuclear
Newly declassified documents reveal how David Ben-Gurion’s mumbles and a trick sightseeing tour helped Israeli officials pull the wool over Washington’s eyes on the real…
foreignpolicy.com
President Kennedy gave Israel a strong warning about its nuclear reactor
Kennedy, who was otherwise close to Israel, was furious with its ostensible nuclear weapons program.
www.jpost.com
Kennedy warned Eshkol US support was ‘jeopardized’ without nuclear inspections
US president was furious with the Jewish state over its atomic program, fearing the Soviet Union could use it as leverage, 1963 telegram recently posted online shows
www.timesofisrael.com
Which other differences do you think that there would have been between JFK and LBJ? FWIW, I do think that the Democrats will win in 1968 in this TL due to the lack of a Vietnam War. They almost won in 1968 with the Vietnam War as it was. But who will the Democrats nominate in 1968 in this TL? And will JFK dump LBJ as his VP in 1964?
Any thoughts on all of this?
