JFK and the New Frontier

Aim: How did the presidency of John F. Kennedy impact the United States?

Kennedy’s Background Wealthy Family that expected public

service. 43 years old Roman Catholic Charismatic and highly appealing to

American Public. Lacked political experience

Election of 1960 Democratic Nominee-John F. Kennedy Republican Nominee-Richard B. Nixon Economy was in recession Cold war: Were we winning?

Televised Debates Ist ever televised debate 70 million viewers Kennedy appeared confident and at

ease. Launched a new area of politics: the

television age.

The Results

Inauguration Speech

“And so my fellow Americans, ask not what

your country can do for you-ask what you can do for

your country.”

Camelot Years JFK’s youth, glamour and his talented

advisors were compared to the mythical court of Camelot and King Arthur.

His wife, Jacqueline and his young children: Caroline and JFK Jr.

Called for hope, commitment and sacrifice.

Civil Rights MLK Jr. arrested at a sit-

in and sentenced to hard labor.

Kennedy and his brother, Robert, persuaded judge to release MLK.

Captured the attention of many African Americans and won their vote

New Frontier His vision for America Hard time passing his proposal through

Congress because of a conservative coalition.

New Frontier Goals Provide medical care for elderly Rebuild urban areas Education Bolster national defense Increase international aid Expand space program

Berlin Wall

When the Soviets threatened to take When the Soviets threatened to take over West Berlin, JFK reinforced the over West Berlin, JFK reinforced the military presence in the area, leading military presence in the area, leading to the construction of the Berlin to the construction of the Berlin Wall, which eased pressures on both Wall, which eased pressures on both sides.sides.

Berlin Wall Divided Berlin in

half Became an ugly

symbol of oppression

Building up Defense JFK’s policy of

Flexible Response Build-up of the

nation’s conventional forces (non-nuclear forces)

Created an elite branch of the Army The Special Forces or

The Green Berets

Peace CorpsCreated the Peace Corps in Created the Peace Corps in

1961, an organization that 1961, an organization that trained volunteers to help trained volunteers to help underdeveloped countries by underdeveloped countries by providing social and providing social and humanitarian services.humanitarian services.

Alliance for Progress Offered economic aid to Latin American

countries $12 Billion dollars An attempt to contain Communism.

Space RaceAfter successes such as the launch

of the Soviet satellite Sputnik in 1957, Kennedy pushed the race to put a man on the moon, nicknamed the “Space Race,” by encouraging the growth in the studies of math and sciences in the public education system.

Bay of Pigs April 1961 Kennedy learned of a

CIA plan to overthrow Castro by Cuban exiles in the Bay of Pigs.

Failed due to unanticipated military support of the Soviet Union

A Humiliated Kennedy paid ransom to free exiles.

Cuban Missile Crisis 19621962 After receiving info that Soviets, under After receiving info that Soviets, under

Khrushchev, were building nuclear Khrushchev, were building nuclear missile sites on Cuba, JFK imposed a missile sites on Cuba, JFK imposed a blockade on the ships and demanded a blockade on the ships and demanded a removal of the missiles, leading to a removal of the missiles, leading to a brief, intense standoff that could have brief, intense standoff that could have resulted in nuclear war.resulted in nuclear war.

Easing Tensions Hot line: Direct phone

line that linked the White House and the Kremlin.

Limited Test Ban Treaty: barred nuclear testing in the atmosphere.

Tragedy in Dallas JFK was assassinated on November JFK was assassinated on November

22, 1963 on a visit to Texas. His 22, 1963 on a visit to Texas. His shooting is still a source of shooting is still a source of disagreement among many, but Lee disagreement among many, but Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested for the Harvey Oswald was arrested for the crime, and was assassinated himself crime, and was assassinated himself shortly thereafter.shortly thereafter.

How successful were the New Frontier programs?

Often blocked in Congress Some headway with economic problems Raised minimum wage Stabilized steel prices Economy stimulated by increased spending for defense

and space exploration Housing Act of 1961 provides $4.9 billion for urban

renewal 24th amendment (poll tax) set in motion, but not ratified

until 1964