John F. Kennedy's foreign policy can be characterized as one of engagement and activism. He believed in the United States' role as a global leader and sought to assert American influence on the international stage.
One of the key pillars of Kennedy's foreign policy was the promotion of democracy and human rights. He delivered a famous speech at the University of Berlin in which he declared, "Ich bin ein Berliner" (I am a Berliner), expressing solidarity with the people of West Berlin during the Cold War. Kennedy also supported the civil rights movement at home and encouraged other countries to follow suit in promoting equality and justice.
Another major focus of Kennedy's foreign policy was the containment of communism. He implemented a number of measures to support this goal, including the deployment of military advisers to Vietnam and the establishment of the Peace Corps to promote development and democracy in developing countries. Kennedy also worked to strengthen alliances with other countries, including through the establishment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), in order to better counter the threat of the Soviet Union.
One of the most significant events of Kennedy's presidency was the Cuban Missile Crisis, in which the Soviet Union secretly placed nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles off the coast of the United States. Kennedy responded with a naval blockade of Cuba and ultimately negotiated a deal with the Soviet Union to remove the missiles. This crisis demonstrated Kennedy's willingness to take bold action in the face of global conflict and helped to prevent a potentially catastrophic nuclear war.
In addition to these efforts, Kennedy also worked to improve relations with other countries, including through efforts to promote economic development and cultural exchange. He established the Alliance for Progress to promote economic development in Latin America and signed the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty with the Soviet Union in an effort to reduce tensions and prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Overall, Kennedy's foreign policy was marked by a belief in American leadership and a desire to promote democracy, human rights, and international cooperation. His efforts had a lasting impact on the international landscape and helped to shape the United States' role in the world.