How Soviet Union feared blame over JFK’s assassination

As more than 2,800 JFK assassination files are released, one document in particular reveals how the Soviet Union feared they were going to get blamed for putting Lee Harvey Oswald up to assassinating JFK. 

The trove of files were published on the National Archives website Thursday night, but President Donald Trump has kept some back so federal agencies can black out portions.  

In one FBI document dated December 1, 1963, from director J Edgar Hoover, the agency reveals everything it has learned about the Soviet reaction to the JFK’s assassination and what its agents might have known about Oswald.

The third page of the document talks of a conspiracy, according to the FBI’s source at the time.

‘According to our source, officials of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union believed there was some well-organized conspiracy on the part of the ‘ultraright’ in the United States to effect a ‘coup.”

 

As more than 2,800 JFK assassination files are released one document in particular reveals how the Soviet Union feared they were going to get blamed for putting Lee Harvey Oswald up to assassinating JFK

In one FBI document dated December 1, 1963, from director J Edgar Hoover, the agency reveals everything it has learned about the Soviet reaction to the JFK’s assassination and what its agents might have known about Oswald

In one FBI document dated December 1, 1963, from director J Edgar Hoover, the agency reveals everything it has learned about the Soviet reaction to the JFK’s assassination and what its agents might have known about Oswald

The third page of the document talks of a possible conspiracy, according to the FBI's source at the time 

The third page of the document talks of a possible conspiracy, according to the FBI’s source at the time 

It was believed by the FBI’s source that the assassination ‘was not the deed of one man, but that it arose out of a carefully planned campaign in which several people played a part’.

The FBI’s source also noted that Soviet officials were fearful that ‘without leadership, some irresponsible general in the United States might launch a missile at the Soviet Union’.

This prompted further opinion of the Soviet officials that only ‘maniacs would think that the ‘left’ forces in the United States, as represented by the Communist Party, USA, would assassinate President Kennedy, especially in view of the abuse the Communist Party, USA, has taken from the “ultraleft” as a result of its support for the peaceful coexistence and the disarmament policies of the Kennedy administration,’ the document reads. 

The Soviets were also frightened that a panicked military would lash out at them. Their fear prompted them to want to know about what kind of person Lyndon B. Johnson was. 

Johnson was sworn in on Air Force One alongside JFK’s widow just hours after the president was shot. Jackie Kennedy refused to change out of her blood-soaked Chanel suit. 

The Soviet Union also declared Oswald a ‘neurotic maniac who was disloyal to his own country and everything else’.

‘They noted that Oswald never belonged to any organization in the Soviet Union and was never given Soviet citizenship,’ the document reads.  

The much anticipated files surrounding the details of President John F Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, were released on Thursday 

The much anticipated files surrounding the details of President John F Kennedy’s assassination on November 22, 1963, were released on Thursday 

The 46-year-old was shot in the back and head while riding in an open motorcade through Dallas, Texas, with his wife First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy by his side

The 46-year-old was shot in the back and head while riding in an open motorcade through Dallas, Texas, with his wife First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy by his side

Although Washington closed the case shortly after JFK's death, there have been several conspiracy theories, including that the murder plot involved Cuban leader Fidel Castro and there has long been rumors of a second shooter

Although Washington closed the case shortly after JFK’s death, there have been several conspiracy theories, including that the murder plot involved Cuban leader Fidel Castro and there has long been rumors of a second shooter

After the release of the documents, Trump claimed he had 'no choice' but to keep some of the documents secret for six months so spies can black out portions

After the release of the documents, Trump claimed he had ‘no choice’ but to keep some of the documents secret for six months so spies can black out portions

Moments before: President Kennedy, seen sitting in the back seat with his wife Jackie, died from a shot in the head, despite doctors' work to save him 

Moments before: President Kennedy, seen sitting in the back seat with his wife Jackie, died from a shot in the head, despite doctors’ work to save him 

Bystanders looked on as Jacqueline Kennedy reached over to help her husband who lay on the rear of a car after being struck by an assassin's bullet as his motorcade traveled through Dealey Plaza

Bystanders looked on as Jacqueline Kennedy reached over to help her husband who lay on the rear of a car after being struck by an assassin’s bullet as his motorcade traveled through Dealey Plaza

Lyndon Johnson was sworn in on Air Force One alongside JFK's widow just hours after the President was shot. Jackie Kennedy refused to change out of her blood-soaked Chanel suit

Lyndon Johnson was sworn in on Air Force One alongside JFK’s widow just hours after the President was shot. Jackie Kennedy refused to change out of her blood-soaked Chanel suit

The Dallas Police Department mug shots of Lee Harvey Oswald following his arrest for possible involvement in the John F. Kennedy assassination and the murder of Officer J.D. Tippit, who he killed after shooting the president 

The Dallas Police Department mug shots of Lee Harvey Oswald following his arrest for possible involvement in the John F. Kennedy assassination and the murder of Officer J.D. Tippit, who he killed after shooting the president 

President John F. Kennedy and wife Jackie arriving at Love Field in Dallas during campaign tour on the day of his assassination 

President John F. Kennedy and wife Jackie arriving at Love Field in Dallas during campaign tour on the day of his assassination 

The collection includes more than 3,100 documents - comprising hundreds of thousands of pages - that have never been seen by the public

The collection includes more than 3,100 documents – comprising hundreds of thousands of pages – that have never been seen by the public

After the shooting, Secret Service agent Clinton Hill (pictured) ran from a car directly behind the President's and jumped onto the vehicle in order to further protect JFK and the First Lady

After the shooting, Secret Service agent Clinton Hill (pictured) ran from a car directly behind the President’s and jumped onto the vehicle in order to further protect JFK and the First Lady

After JFK was shot, in a state of shock Jackie Kennedy reached back towards the trunk it is believed to retrieve a piece of her husband's scalp. According to a radio announcer at the time of the tragedy, he reported: 'Mrs. Kennedy cried "Oh no" and tried to hold up his head' 

After JFK was shot, in a state of shock Jackie Kennedy reached back towards the trunk it is believed to retrieve a piece of her husband’s scalp. According to a radio announcer at the time of the tragedy, he reported: ‘Mrs. Kennedy cried ‘Oh no’ and tried to hold up his head’ 

President John F. Kennedy signing quarantine ruling during Cuban missile crisis at the White House

President John F. Kennedy signing quarantine ruling during Cuban missile crisis at the White House

Fidel Castro waves to the people in Havana in this file photo from January 8, 1959

Castro and other combatants started a revolutionary war against the U.S.-backed regime of Fulgencio Batista in December 1956 and over the next two years they conducted a guerrilla struggle that won increasing popular support

Fidel Castro waves to the people in Havana in January 1959 (left). Castro and other combatants started a revolutionary war against the U.S.-backed regime of Fulgencio Batista in December 1956 and over the next two years they conducted a guerrilla struggle that won increasing popular support

Lee Harvey Oswald during a press conference after his arrest in Dallas. Oswald was killed by Jack Ruby on November 24 on the eve of Kennedy's burial

Lee Harvey Oswald during a press conference after his arrest in Dallas. Oswald was killed by Jack Ruby on November 24 on the eve of Kennedy’s burial

Kennedy was shot in the back and head while riding in an open motorcade through Dallas, Texas, with his wife and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy by his side

Kennedy was shot in the back and head while riding in an open motorcade through Dallas, Texas, with his wife and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy by his side

- PHOTO TAKEN 22NOV1963 - U.S. Secret Service agents and local police examine the presidential limousine as it sits parked at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas under a sign reading "Ambulances Only" as President John F. Kennedy is treated inside the hospital after being shot while driving through the streets of Dallas on November 22, 1963. The photo was taken by White House photographer Cecil Stoughton and provided by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston. The fortieth anniversary of Kennedy's assassination will be on November 22, 2003. ..&W ONLY..??? USE ONLY..(Credit :JFK Library/Cecil Stoughton/The White House) - PBEAHUOLXDZ

U.S. Secret Service agents and local police examine the presidential limousine as it sits parked at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas under a sign reading ‘Ambulances Only’ after JFK was shot. Doctors later said his injuries were far too great for him to survive

View of people as they cry and wait for news outside Parkland Hospital, where President John F Kennedy had been taken following his assassination

View of people as they cry and wait for news outside Parkland Hospital, where President John F Kennedy had been taken following his assassination

JFK was buried on November 25, 1963 as America watched on. Jackie Kennedy stood solemnly with her children Caroline Kennedy and John Jr

JFK was buried on November 25, 1963 as America watched on. Jackie Kennedy stood solemnly with her children Caroline Kennedy and John Jr

Led by members of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia the Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs, and the US Marine Corps band the funeral procession of slain President John F. Kennedy approaches the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery after passing the Lincoln Memorial and crossing over the Potomac River on Memorial Bridge

Led by members of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia the Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs, and the US Marine Corps band the funeral procession of slain President John F. Kennedy approaches the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery after passing the Lincoln Memorial and crossing over the Potomac River on Memorial Bridge

Members of the Kennedy family at the funeral of assassinated president JFK at Washington DC. Three-year-old John Kennedy saluted his father

Members of the Kennedy family at the funeral of assassinated president JFK at Washington DC. Three-year-old John Kennedy saluted his father

Jackie relied heavily on her brother-in-law Bobby Kennedy, who was later assassinated himself in 1968 when he ran for president 

Jackie relied heavily on her brother-in-law Bobby Kennedy, who was later assassinated himself in 1968 when he ran for president 

Robert Kennedy and Edward Kennedy with their sister-in-law Jacqueline Kennedy during the funeral of President John F Kennedy

Robert Kennedy and Edward Kennedy with their sister-in-law Jacqueline Kennedy during the funeral of President John F Kennedy

Trump is the only person who can stop any of the documents from becoming public. Trump pledged in a tweet on Saturday that - 'subject to the receipt of further information' - he will allow the 'long blocked and classified JFK FILES to be opened'

Trump is the only person who can stop any of the documents from becoming public. Trump pledged in a tweet on Saturday that – ‘subject to the receipt of further information’ – he will allow the ‘long blocked and classified JFK FILES to be opened’

TIMELINE TO A PRESIDENCY: JOHN F KENNEDY 

September 26, 1960: Kennedy appears in the first televised election debates in history as he campaigns to become leader. The debate was seen as the turning point in the campaign.

November 8, 1960: JFK defeats Republican Richard Nixon with 49.7 percent of the vote. Nixon had 49.5 percent.

January 20, 1961: Inauguration for the new leader. 

March 1, 1961: Kennedy establishes the Peace Corps, a volunteer program to promote world peace. 

September 12, 1962: Kennedy announces that the U.S. want to put man on the moon 

October 1962: Cuban Missile crisis which is regarded as the closest the world ever came to nuclear war. Tensions rose after the USSR placed nuclear weapons in Cuba within striking distance of the U.S. The crisis eventually passed without a shot being fired. 

June 11, 1963: The President calls for civil rights legislation to be brought in.

August 5, 1963: The U.S. and the USSR sign a nuclear test ban treaty pledging not to test bombs in air, space and water. 

November 22, 1963: The President was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. He was shot once in the back and then in the head. 

TIMELINE OF EVENTS SURROUNDING JOHN F KENNEDY’S ASSASSINATION

November 22, 1963

12.29pm Central Standard Time: The presidential motorcade turns onto Dealey Plaza in Dallas. The open-top limousine has a driver and security guard in the front row, Texas Governor John Connally and wife Nellie Connally in the middle row, and President John F Kennedy and wife Jacqueline in the back row.

12.30pm: Witnesses testified that three shots were fired. The famous video recording of the event filmed by onlooker Abraham Zapruder shows that first Kennedy clutches his chest and seems to gasp before another shot hits his head. Governor Connally is also hit. Mrs Kennedy immediately begins climbing towards the back of the vehicle, apparently in an effort to grab part of the President’s skull which flew back after he was shot. The Connallys reported that Mrs Kennedy said ‘I’ve got his brains in my hand!’

12.33pm: Shooter Lee Harvey Oswald exits the Texas School Book Depository, where he fired the shots from a sixth floor window.

12.38pm: The presidential limo arrives at Parkland Hospital.

1pm: President Kennedy is pronounced dead. A Catholic priest had been found and he performed his last rites. Doctors said that while they tried extremely hard to save his life, the wounds were too great by the time he arrived in the hospital. ‘We never had any hope of saving his life,’ said Dr. Malcolm Perry.

1.15pm: Oswald shoots and kills police officer J.D. Tippit while he is on the run.

1.33pm: White House press secretary Malcolm Kilduff entered the area of the hospital where the press had gathered and made a brief statement confirming the President’s death, as caused by a gunshot wound to the brain.

1.50pm: Oswald is arrested inside the Texas Theater movie house where he went in an effort to evade capture.

2.00pm: President Kennedy’s body was brought to Air Force One.

2.38pm: Lyndon Baines Johnson was sworn in as the country’s 36th president on board Air Force One, standing next to Mrs Kennedy who continued to wear the blood-stained pink skirt suit that she had on earlier.

3.01pm: FBI director J. Edgar Hoover writes a memo saying that the President’s killer had been captured.

6pm Eastern Standard Time: The plane arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington. President Kennedy’s casket and Mrs Kennedy leave first before President Johnson makes a brief statement on the tarmac. ‘This is a sad time for all people….I will do my best; that is all I can do. I ask for your help and God’s,’ he said.

7.05pm CST: Oswald is charged with the murder of Officer Tippit.

11.26pm: Oswald is charged with the murder of President Kennedy. 

Two days later, November 24, 1963

11:21am: Television cameras catch nightclub owner Jack Ruby shoot Oswald in the basement of the Dallas Police headquarters.

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