Eight notable Executive Orders issued by President Kennedy:
(Click the number below each image for text of the Executive Order!)
10924
Executive Order 10924
1 Mar 1961 Establishment of the Peace Corps During the run-up to the election of 1960, Senator Kennedy pitched the idea of a “Peace Corps” to an enthusiastic audience at the University of Michigan. In the midst of the Cold War, the president’s plan for young Americans to serve their country as an alternative to military duty was a welcome proposal. The public response to his idea was overwhelmingly positive, prompting Kennedy to organize a committee, headed by his brother-in-law Sargent Shriver, to create the Peace Corps. Shortly after taking office, President Kennedy issued Executive Order 10924, which officially established the Peace Corps within the Department of State (archive.gov). Do you know anyone who has served in the Peace Corps? Invite them to speak about their experience in front of your class. |
10925Executive Order 10925
6 Mar 1961 Establishing the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity. Executive order 10925 prohibited employers from barring applicants based on race, and laid the ground for later legislation that came to be known in the 1990s as “Affirmative Action”, which gave preferential consideration to minorities applying for jobs or higher education (eeoc.gov). Employers could no longer discriminate against people applying for jobs, and were required to treat employees equally without regard to race. This executive order helped to end segregation, particularly in the workplace. If you were an employer, are there certain groups of people you would not want to hire? Explain. |
10988Executive Order 10988
17 Jan 1962 Recognizes the right of federal workers to join employee organizations and bargain collectively. Executive Order 10988 gave Federal employees the right to join, form, or assist labor organizations, commonly referred to as "labor unions". The most common labor unions are those employed by the city, teachers, police, and government workers. The purpose of a labor union is for employees to work together - collectively - in order to achieve goals, such as better working conditions, salary increases, and employee benefits, such as health insurance. Unions meet to vote on issues then select representatives to meet with employers. One tactic which labor unions use is to go on strike; if negotiations between the labor union and the employer fail, workers may collectively refuse to work until an agreement is reached. What are the positive and negative aspects of collective bargaining for employees; what about for employers? |
11041Executive Order 11041
6 Aug 1962 Continuance and administration of the Peace Corps Initially, President Kennedy envisioned the Peace Corps as a temporary project that would last for only a year or two. A year later, he signed Executive Order 11041, which made the Peace Corps a permanent entity, ensuring that Congress would fund it. Over fifty years later, and with more than 200,000 volunteers having served, the Peace Corps continues to thrive today by providing skilled Americans to countries in need, and helping to spread a positive image of America around the world. Volunteers work in areas such as education, health, and small business development. Volunteers serve as unofficial ambassadors of the US, and spread what they have learned about other cultures after returning from service. Would you be willing to work as a volunteer for two years in a foreign country? Explain your answer. |
11053Executive Order 11053
30 Sep 1962 Providing Assistance for the Removal of Unlawful Obstructions in the State of Mississippi James Meredith became the first black student admitted to the University of Mississippi. The violent public reaction from white segregationists resulted in two deaths, hundreds of injuries, and a crisis that demanded immediate attention from the president. In issuing order 11053, President Kennedy authorized Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara to mobilize Mississippi National Guard troops in response to what became known as the “Ole Miss Riot of 1962”. Two people, including a French journalist, were murdered by the mob, and hundreds were injured. Federalized troops quelled the rioters, and provided 24-hour security for Meredith, who went on to graduate the following year. Do you think schools should be segregated (by race, sex, religious belief, or origin)? Explain why or why not. |
11063Executive Order 11063
20 Nov 1962 The Equal Opportunity in Housing order banned segregation in federally funded housing. Although this executive order applied to all of the United States, President Kennedy specifically had the South in mind. The rise of the Dixiecrats - a segregationist wing of the Democratic Party - and the resurgent Ku Klux Klan, emboldened whites in the South as African Americans fought for their civil rights. At this time, African Americans had to drink from separate fountains and sit in designated areas of buses and movie theaters. They also had difficulty in renting affordable housing, as white property owners discriminated against them because of their skin color. Do you think it is right for the government to tell homeowners who they can rent their property to? |
11111Executive Order 11111
11 Jun 1963 Removal of Unlawful Actions in Alabama 1963 was filled with numerous incidents throughout the South, particularly in Alabama, where staunch segregationist George Wallace was elected governor. In his inaugural speech, Wallace made his famous “Segregation Forever” speech, which fueled racial hatred for many months. Police violence towards peaceful protesters, and bombings of black homes and churches continued throughout the year. The challenge to federal authority from Governor Wallace reached its height on June 11, 1963, when Wallace made his famous “Stand in the Schoolhouse Door”, in which he physically barred two African American students from entering the University of Alabama. President Kennedy responded with Executive Order 11111, which authorized use of the National Guard to quell the crisis. In this situation, two executives made a stand for something they believed strongly in: Wallace favored segregation, whereas Kennedy favored integration. Do you believe the power of the president should override decisions made by a state governor? |
11118Executive Order 11118
10 Sep 1963 Obstructions of Justice in Alabama Wallace again challenged federal authority in September 1963, when he barred five black students from entering state schools. This was met the following day with more action from President Kennedy with Executive Order 11118, which again authorized the Secretary of Defense to mobilize Alabama National Guard troops to enforce the federally mandated desegregation of schools. This executive order, along with executive orders 11053 and 11111, helped pave the way for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These landmark acts outlawed racial discrimination and furthered desegregation. The executive orders that Kennedy issued in reaction to incidents in the South made him incredibly unpopular among white voters. In response, Kennedy made extra efforts to reach out to Southerners as he looked forward to his reelection bid in 1964. This is what brought him to Dallas, Texas on the day of his assassination. Should President Kennedy have left the segregation issue to the states? Why do you think he issued executive orders that went against beliefs held by whites in the South? |