About Oral History
Digital Identifier
JFKOH-RFK-02
Interviewee(s)
Kennedy, Robert F. (Robert Francis), 1925-1968
Biographical Note
(1925 - 1968) Brother of President Kennedy; Attorney General of the United States (1961-1964); Senator from New York (1965-1968).
Interviewer(s)
John B. Martin
Access Restriction Status
Open
Use Restriction Status
Portion(s) Closed
Description
In this interview Robert F. Kennedy [RFK] discusses the 1961 Berlin crisis; American forces, military and diplomatic, in Germany; John F. Kennedy’s [JFK] recommendation for Americans to have fallout shelters; nuclear testing; problems with the Department of State; the start of the conflict in Vietnam, 1961; the Department of Justice under RFK and organized crime; RFK’s difficult relationship with J. Edgar Hoover; the wiretapping bill; new federal judgeships in 1961 and other presidential appointments; the Alliance for Progress; Red China; crises during JFK’s presidency and how he was an optimist; RFK’s move for an income tax increase during the Berlin crisis; RFK’s disagreements with President JFK; indecisiveness over picking JFK’s running mate, 1960; the missile gap; fighting and UN operations in the Congo; Nikita S. Khrushchev’s speeches; RFK’s 1962 trip to Japan, Indonesia, Germany, and other countries; the release of Allen L. Pope; Dutch disputes in Southeast Asia; the 1961 crisis in the Dominican Republic and the assassination of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina; the 1962 disarmament conference in Geneva; Edward M. Kennedy’s 1962 campaign for U.S. Senate; the Kennedy family national and political reputation; the Justice Department under RFK and civil rights; and the 1962 steel crisis, among other issues.
Date(s) of Materials
13 April 1964
Deed Status
No Deed
Copyright Status
Retained by Donor
Collection
Series
Series 1. John F. Kennedy Oral History Interviews, 1964-2012.
Preferred Citation
Robert F. Kennedy, recorded interview by John B. Martin, April 13, 1964, (page number), Robert F. Kennedy Oral History Program of the John F. Kennedy Library.
Subject(s)
Person(s)
Organization(s)
Place(s)
Use Restriction Note
Some of the archival materials in this collection may be subject to copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Users of these materials are advised to determine the copyright status of any document from which they wish to publish.
Accession Number
OH(R) 1979-002
Page Last Updated
October 28, 2023 9:18:57 AM EDT