Who assassinated President Kennedy according to the Warren Commission (Quizlet)?
According to the Warren Commission, **Lee Harvey Oswald** was the individual responsible for assassinating President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas.
Oswald, a former U.S. Marine and self-proclaimed Marxist, was identified as the lone gunman who fired three shots from the Texas School Book Depository building, fatally hitting President Kennedy and injuring Texas Governor John Connally. The Warren Commission, formally known as the President’s Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy, conducted an extensive investigation into the assassination and concluded that Oswald acted alone.
FAQs:
1. Why was Lee Harvey Oswald considered the lone gunman?
The Warren Commission concluded that Oswald acted alone based on the physical evidence, including the three spent cartridges found at the scene, eyewitness testimonies, and forensic analysis of the rifle found in the Texas School Book Depository.
2. Did the Warren Commission’s report face any criticism?
Yes, the Warren Commission’s report faced criticism from various sources, including conspiracy theorists who believed that Oswald was part of a larger plot.
3. What evidence did the Warren Commission use to support their conclusion?
The Warren Commission relied on evidence such as eyewitness testimonies, forensic and ballistic analysis, and Oswald’s known activities leading up to the assassination.
4. Were there any other suspects investigated?
While the Warren Commission focused on Oswald as the primary suspect, it did consider the possibility of other individuals or organizations playing a role in the assassination, but ultimately found no credible evidence to support such claims.
5. Did the Warren Commission investigate any potential conspiracy?
Yes, the Warren Commission investigated the possibility of a conspiracy but ultimately concluded that Oswald acted alone.
6. What was Oswald’s motive for assassinating President Kennedy?
The exact motive behind Oswald’s actions is still a subject of debate. The Warren Commission stated that Oswald’s motive was a combination of his personal discontent, desire for notoriety, and political beliefs. However, it did not find any specific evidence of a particular motive.
7. What was the public’s response to the Warren Commission’s conclusion?
The public response was mixed. While some accepted the findings, others expressed skepticism and believed that the true nature of the assassination was being concealed.
8. Were there any investigations conducted after the Warren Commission?
Yes, several other investigations were conducted after the Warren Commission, such as the House Select Committee on Assassinations in the 1970s, which determined that there was likely a conspiracy involved in the assassination.
9. Did any other official reports support the Warren Commission’s conclusion?
Yes, most official investigations and reports conducted since the assassination, including the Rockefelller Commission and the United States House Select Committee on Assassinations, have generally endorsed the Warren Commission’s finding that Oswald acted alone.
10. Has any new evidence emerged to challenge the Warren Commission’s conclusion?
Over the years, several pieces of evidence have been presented to challenge the Warren Commission’s conclusion, including claims of additional gunmen and alleged government cover-ups. However, no conclusive evidence that discredits the lone gunman theory has emerged.
11. Did Oswald have a history of violence?
While Oswald had shown signs of violence in the past, such as attempting to shoot an army officer and bringing a rifle into a building, there is no documented history of him engaging in assassinations before the murder of President Kennedy.
12. What were the consequences of the Warren Commission’s conclusion?
The Warren Commission’s conclusion that Oswald acted alone provided closure for many, but it also fueled conspiracy theories and skepticism surrounding the assassination of President Kennedy. The impact of the Commission’s findings extended into subsequent investigations and continues to be the subject of debate and speculation today.