Final answer:
Kennedy was slow to propose civil rights legislation due to the need to maintain support from southern Democrats, his focus on foreign policy during the Cold War, and concerns over political consequences and reelection efforts.
Step-by-step explanation:
John F. Kennedy was slow to propose civil rights legislation because he needed to maintain political support from members of his own party, primarily the southern Democrats. Additionally, Kennedy's focus on foreign policy and Cold War tensions, particularly in places like Cuba and Vietnam, demanded much of his attention. His concerns over the repercussions a civil rights struggle might have on his reelection efforts in 1964 and the potential disruption to his broader foreign policy objectives also played a role in his cautious approach to civil rights reform initiatives.
Though Kennedy did support civil rights advancement in certain aspects, such as backing voter registration drives and sending federal troops to enforce court-ordered integration at the University of Mississippi, his initial hesitance stemmed from the complex political landscape and the broader implications of pursuing such reforms during a tense period of international relations.