Introduction
The theory that the CIA orchestrated the assassination of John F. Kennedy remains one of the most enduring conspiracy topics in American history. Proponents argue that secret government motives and cover-ups have concealed the truth for decades.
Origins
The official investigation, the Warren Commission, concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Yet, from the 1960s onward, skeptics have pointed to anomalies in the evidence and government secrecy as proof of deeper plots involving the CIA and other agencies.
Key Examples
- Claims that Oswald had CIA ties or was a patsy.
- Theory that high-ranking officials wanted to change US policy.
- Allegations of destroyed or hidden evidence.
Critical Analysis
While a minority of researchers believe in CIA involvement, mainstream historians reject the theory due to lack of direct evidence.
Influential Literature: Pro & Contra
- James W. Douglass – “JFK and the Unspeakable” – Orbis Books, 2008. Douglass, JFK and the Unspeakable. Orbis, 2008.
- David Talbot – “The Devil’s Chessboard” – Harper, 2015. Talbot, The Devil’s Chessboard. Harper, 2015.
- Vincent Bugliosi – “Reclaiming History” – W.W. Norton, 2007. Bugliosi, Reclaiming History. Norton, 2007.
- Gerald Posner – “Case Closed” – Anchor, 1993. Posner, Case Closed. Anchor, 1993.
- Larry Hancock – “Someone Would Have Talked” – JFK Lancer, 2010. Hancock, Someone Would Have Talked. JFK Lancer, 2010.
- Michael Barkun – “A Culture of Conspiracy” – University of California Press, 2013. Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy. UCP, 2013.
- Jan Harold Brunvand – “Encyclopedia of Urban Legends” – W.W. Norton, 2001. Brunvand, Encyclopedia of Urban Legends. Norton, 2001.
- Philip Shenon – “A Cruel and Shocking Act” – Henry Holt, 2013. Shenon, A Cruel and Shocking Act. Henry Holt, 2013.
- Peter Dale Scott – “Deep Politics and the Death of JFK” – University of California Press, 1993. Scott, Deep Politics and the Death of JFK. UCP, 1993.