From the New Frontier to the Great Society

Kennedy’s Inauguration Kennedy = the youngest & 1st Roman Catholic President Kennedy = the youngest & 1st Roman Catholic President Kennedy states that America lies on the verge of a “New Frontier” Kennedy states that America lies on the verge of a “New Frontier” JFK declares that a generation tempered by war & a hard peace has arrived JFK declares that a generation tempered by war & a hard peace has arrived To Latin America, JFK pledges an alliance for progress To Latin America, JFK pledges an alliance for progress

Kennedy’s Strategy Talks Vice President Johnson, House Speaker Sam Rayburn, & Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield confer with JFK about new policies Vice President Johnson, House Speaker Sam Rayburn, & Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield confer with JFK about new policies Key legislative goals = Medicare for the elderly, higher minimum wage & assistance for education Key legislative goals = Medicare for the elderly, higher minimum wage & assistance for education

Kennedy’s Campaign for Medicare Basis of Medicare Basis of Medicare Men 65 years & older & women 62 years & older can receive assistance Men 65 years & older & women 62 years & older can receive assistance Also the disabled can receive help Also the disabled can receive help Working people should start contributing now Working people should start contributing now Inspired by & eventually tied to the Social Security system Inspired by & eventually tied to the Social Security system

Johnson’s Campaign for Medicare Medicare was eventually passed during the LBJ administration Medicare was eventually passed during the LBJ administration It was first passed on July 30, 1965 It was first passed on July 30, 1965 It served as an amendment to Social Security It served as an amendment to Social Security

LBJ’s 1 st Address to Congress: November 27, 1963 Addresses Congress shortly after the death of JFK Addresses Congress shortly after the death of JFK Vows to continue JFK’s policies Vows to continue JFK’s policies Peace Corps Peace Corps Space Program Space Program Civil Rights Civil Rights Commitment to West Berlin & South Vietnam Commitment to West Berlin & South Vietnam Asks for unity & cooperation in pursuing JFK’s goals Asks for unity & cooperation in pursuing JFK’s goals Pledges support for the United Nations Pledges support for the United Nations Urges the passage of the Civil Rights Bill Urges the passage of the Civil Rights Bill

LBJ’s State of the Union Address (January 8, 1964) LBJ wants to cut the deficit in ½ LBJ wants to cut the deficit in ½ Wants to reduce the size of the gov’t while maintaining the size of the military Wants to reduce the size of the gov’t while maintaining the size of the military LBJ pledges to assist the less fortunate LBJ pledges to assist the less fortunate Declares war on poverty Declares war on poverty Assistance to the inner cities & rural areas Assistance to the inner cities & rural areas Unemployment assistance & Job creation programs Unemployment assistance & Job creation programs Education Assistance Education Assistance Tax Cuts to stimulate the economy Tax Cuts to stimulate the economy Modernization of schools, libraries, hospitals, & nursing homes Modernization of schools, libraries, hospitals, & nursing homes

LBJ’s Remarks at the University of Michigan: (May 22, 1964) Next Generation’s challenge = solve the problem of poverty Next Generation’s challenge = solve the problem of poverty American need to build a “Great Society” American need to build a “Great Society” abundance and liberty for all abundance and liberty for all three places to build the Great Society three places to build the Great Society in our cities in our cities in our countryside in our countryside in our classrooms in our classrooms

Johnson & the War on Poverty