Chapter 30 Section 2 The Kennedy White House
Kennedy Charisma Harvard Grad Published 2 books Profiles in Courage Won Pulitzer Prize Addison’s Disease Sports Football, sailing, swimming 1 st family Jacqueline “Jackie” Kennedy Khrushchev “I’d like to shake her hand first” Appreciation for fine arts Unofficial Minister of Culture Two Children Caroline John Jr.
Effects on Youth Campaign Young Americans Rally’s Peace Corps Donna Shalala Secretary of Health and Human Services Clinton Peace Corps 2 years Iran – Mud Hut Teaching English Expectations “Everyone laughed, but it worked”
Kennedy’s Advisors Government Solutions National and Global Problems Cabinet Average age 47 Decade younger than Eisenhower’s Inaugural Address Best and Brightest “There’s nothing like brains. You can’t beat brains” Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara – Harvard Secretary of State, Dead Rusk – Rhodes Scholar Attorney General, Robert “Bobby” Kennedy – law “I need someone I know to talk to in this government”
The Domestic Frontier New Frontier Economy Secretary of Treasury C. Douglas Dillon Republican Eisenhower Administration Rising unemployment and inflation Wage and price controls Fewer raises to keep prices down US Steel Roger Blough Raised prices despite workers agreement Kennedy Speech Cancelling government contracts No increase after all
Kennedy and Congress Congress Republicans Southern Democrats Block legislation Tax Cut Stimulate economic growth At 1 st rejected Contradicts inaugural message Sharp drop in stock market Kennedy Asks Congress to reduce taxes Would reduce taxes by $10 billion Failed to pass – along with assistance to older Americans in paying medical bills and federal aid for education
Helping the Disadvantaged JFK Ranks high Wealthiest Presidents 1962 2.5 Million Donated 100,000 salary to charities Area Redevelopment Act (ARA) Financial assistance to economically distressed regions Vetoed by Eisenhower Signed by Kennedy in May 1961
Helping Disadvantaged Continued Michael Harrington The Other America Documented study of poverty in U.S. Racism Keeping in poverty Inspires Kennedy Begin work Antipoverty programs Part of campaign for 1964
Tragedy in Dallas Building support for reelection November 1963 Texas November 22, 1963 Kennedy Open-car motorcade 12:30 P.M. Shots rang out Kennedy slumps over Fatally wounded Within hours Johnson sworn in as President Millions watched Funeral on TV
Kennedy Assassination Lee Harvey Oswald Arrested within hours U.S. Marine 2 days later Being moved Shot to death Nightclub owner Jack Ruby Suspicious Johnson Names Commission Headed by Chief Justice Earl Warren Warren Commission 10 months reviewing evidence Oswald and Ruby acted alone
Kennedy’s Resting Place Conspiracy American’s curious Doubt Warren Commission Laid to Rest Arlington Eternal Flame