How Successful was John F. Kennedy's Foreign Policy?

In the introduction of this essay it is important to identify the key foreign policy events that took place during Kennedy's Presidency (January 1961- November 1963). These might include the Bay of Pigs invasion (14th and 15th April 1961), the Cuban Missile crisis ( beginning in the Summer of 1962), the Vietnam War (1955-1975), his handling of the Berlin Wall crisis and the Space Race. It is also important to mention that Kennedy's actions during this period were heavily influenced by a fear of Communism and the 'domino theory' as he was operating in the Cold War period. One might also want to include relevant historiography in the introduction, in order to set out the debate which exists among historians on this issue. In the introduction one must also state which side of the debate they are going to come down on. In this case, I would argue that Kennedy's foreign policy was largely unsuccessful. In the main body of the essay it is important to analyse each foreign policy event and explain why this helps to prove that Kennedy's foreign policy was largely unsuccessful. For example, one might argue that the invasion was a failure of American foreign policy on several levels. It was a humiliating fiasco that damaged America’s reputation throughout the world at a time when Kennedy’s militant Cold War campaign rhetoric had led people to expect a measure of Cold War success. It also increased Castro’s popularity at home (as the champion of Cuban nationalism against US imperialism) and won him respect abroad – particularly in Latin America. Within the main body of the essay it is also essential to integrate historiography which should then be evaluated. Relevant historiography might include James T Patterson's views in 'Grand Expectations' or Robert Dallek's views in 'John F. Kennedy: An Unfinished Life'. In the conclusion, one should summarize the main points made in the main body of the essay and reinforce the argument/s outlined in the introduction.