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Joseph Patrick "Joe" Kennedy Sr. (September 6, 1888 – November 18, 1969) was a prominent American businessman and political figure from Massachusetts, and the father of nine children including bomber pilot Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert Kennedy, and Senator Edward Kennedy. He was a leading member of the Democratic Party and of the Irish Catholic community. He was the first head of the Securities and Exchange Commission; President Franklin D. Roosevelt justified the choice by saying "If you want to catch a thief, send a thief after him."
Kennedy also served briefly as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom at the start of World War II. Kennedy was pessimistic about Britain's ability to survive attacks from Nazi Germany, publicly supporting continued appeasement of Adolf Hitler. He even went so far to try to meet with Hitler personally, without U.S. approval During the Battle of Britain in November 1940, Kennedy publicly suggested, "Democracy is finished in England. It may be here [in the United States]." In response to the controversy arising from this statement, Kennedy resigned his position.
Kennedy remained a social climber for the remainder of his life. He was isolationist for the duration of the war, and his anti-semitism grew more pronounced. His anti-communist views led him to tighter ties with Senator Joseph McCarthy. Kennedy even convinced McCarthy to hire Robert Kennedy to his staff for a time. While Robert and John Kennedy broke with McCarthy, Joseph Kennedy supported McCarthy even after his censure in 1954.
Kennedy lived to see John elected President of the United States in 1960. Despite a debilitating stroke in 1961, Kennedy died in 1969 having outlived four of his children.
Joseph P. Kennedy in Or Even Eagle Flew[]
| Or Even Eagle Flew POD: July 2, 1937 | |
| Type of Appearance: | Contemporary reference |
| Political Office(s): | Ambassador to the United Kingdom |
Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy was furious with the publicity surrounding Amelia Earhart and three other American pilots' escape from France in June, 1940 ahead of France's surrender to Germany. Kennedy seemed to be of the opinion that the U.K. itself would be surrendering to Germany soon.[1]
Joseph P. Kennedy in Southern Victory[]
Joseph P. Kennedy was a Democratic Party operative in Boston in the 1920s and '30s. Kennedy recruited Sylvia Enos to appear at political functions after she became a folk hero for avenging her husband, George Enos, by shooting his murderer, Confederate submersible commander, Roger Kimball.[2]
| Southern Victory POD: September 10, 1862 | |
| Appearance(s): | The Center Cannot Hold; The Victorious Opposition; In at the Death |
| Type of Appearance: | Direct |
| Political Party: | Democratic Party |
Kennedy attempted to seduce Sylvia (despite the fact that he was married), and was frustrated by her consistent refusals[3] - especially after she began an affair with Ernie[4] (an affair which would eventually cost her her life). In revenge, Kennedy vowed that Sylvia would not be part of President Herbert Hoover's bid for re-election in 1936.[5] However, when the time came, Kennedy, at the behest of the party, did ask Sylvia to campaign.[6] Sylvia agreed.[7] Sylvia confessed some surprise that Kennedy was not voting for Al Smith.[8] In spite of their shared religion, Kennedy assured Sylvia that he intended to help defeat the staunchly Socialist Smith.[9] The Democrats' efforts were for naught, as Smith won the election.[10]
His son, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. served as a fighter pilot during the Second Great War.[11]
Despite a capacity for vindictiveness, and despite his anger at Sylvia Enos for spurning him, Kennedy helped secure her son, George Enos Jr.'s discharge from the Navy after the Second Great War ended.[12]
References[]
- ↑ Or Even Eagle Flew, pg. 34, loc. 412, ebook.
- ↑ The Center Cannot Hold, pgs. 22-25.
- ↑ The Victorious Opposition, pg. 37-38.
- ↑ Ibid., pg. 129.
- ↑ Ibid., pg. 130.
- ↑ Ibid. pg. 201.
- ↑ Ibid., pg. 202.
- ↑ Ibid. pg. 200.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid., e.g., at pg 216.
- ↑ Return Engagement, pgs. 271-274.
- ↑ In at the Death, pgs. 567-570.
| Political offices (OTL) | ||
|---|---|---|
| New office | Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission 1934–1935 |
Succeeded by James M. Landis |
| Preceded by Robert Worth Bingham |
United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom 1938–1940 |
Succeeded by John G. Winant |
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