Summary of Jfks Profiles in Courage - 1509 Words

John F. Kennedys Profiles in Courage discusses the presence of moral fiber, or courage, in the careers of 8 different Senators. Throughout the book, Kennedy tells accounts of how a select few Senators showed courage and displayed moral fiber by standing their ground on certain issues when their party and constituents were in great opposition to them. In Profiles of Courage, Kennedy dedicates one chapter to each Senator and his tale of courage. The following Senators were used: John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Thomas Hart Benton, Sam Houston, Edmund G. Ross, Lucius Lamar, George Norris, and Robert A. Taft. John Quincy Adams became a Senator as a Massachusetts Federalist in 1803, but soon broke away from his party. When the time came to†¦show more content†¦Sam Houston, a Senator from Texas, first displayed courage when he refused to support the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. Houston believes the passing of this act would further divide the Union by fueling the controversy over slavery. He was the only Southern Democrat to vote against the Kansas-Nebraska Act. His opposition to this Act was considered very Anti-Southern and made him very unpopular. His opposition of this Act was the downfall in his run for Texas governor and his dismissal from Texas legislature in 1857. Two years later, he was asked to run for governor again and here is when Houstons second act of courage is displayed. When he was elected, Houstons term was a great setback to pro-slavery extremists. In response to this, the Texas legislature voted to secede from the Union. Houston refused to take the oath of alle giance to the Confederacy and was ousted from his governing position. His moral fiber and determination, in the end, led to his downfall in politics. His standing up for what he believed in caused the end of his political career. Edmond Ross, a Kansas Republican, displayed courage when he cast the deciding vote in the Johnson Impeachment Proceedings and said that he wanted to see Johnson treated fairly. The other members of the Republican Party just wanted Johnson out of office and therefore, tried to convince the rest of Congress to find Johnson guilty. Ross bravery in going against the grain and standing up forShow MoreRelatedEssay Jfk Informative Speech Outline869 Words   |  4 Pagesattended Harvard University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science cum laude in International Affairs in 1940 (Dallek). B. Support for #1: JFK entered into the U.S. Navy and became a lieutenant with a patrol torpedo boat named PT-109. JFK’s boat was sunk by a Japanese destroyer in the South Pacific Islands on August 2. 1943 C. Support for #1: He rallied his men together and swam for shore. JFK towed a crewman while he swam clenching the man’s life jacket strap between his teeth