JFK AND THE COLD WAR

ELECTION OF 1960 John F. Kennedy vs. Richard Nixon Economy in recession Launch of Sputnik + nuclear missiles Took place in the first televised debate between presidential candidates JFK speak better than Nixon Martin Luther King Jr. arrested -> Eisenhower refused to intervene, Nixon took no public stance JFK calls his wife to show sympathy

JFK Wins closest election since 1884 “ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country” JFK and the first family became a big hit JFK can speed read -> people sign up for speed reading classes First lady -> captivated country with her fashion JFK surrounds himself with “the best and the brightest” McGeorge Bundy -> Harvard University dean Robert McNamara -> President of Ford Motor Company Dean Rusk -> President of the Rockefeller Foundation

NEW MILITARY POLICY JFK believed the U.S. had not done enough about the Soviet threat and that they were gaining support from 3 rd world countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America Developed policy of flexible response Strengthening military and not relying solely on nuclear defense Creates the Green Berets

CRISES OVER CUBA U.S. cuts ties with Cuba after election of Fidel Castro Openly declared himself a Communist and welcomed the aid of the Soviet Union Eisenhower gave permission to the CIA to train Cuban exiles for an invasion of Cuba JFK approves of this hesitantly Invade through Bahia de Cochinos (Bay of Pigs) Went terribly wrong and was unsuccessful

CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS Soviet Union vows to protect Cuba JFK warns that the U.S. would not tolerate offensive nuclear weapons in Cuba American planes reveal Soviet missile bases in Cuba with missiles ready to be launched (could reach America in minutes) JFK warns public and informs them that a launch of the missiles would confirm and all-out attack on the Soviet Union For the next 6 days the U.S. tries to prevent the Soviets from sending more missiles by boat to Cuba

THINGS COOL DOWN First break was when Soviet ships suddenly stop Did not want confrontation at sea Khrushchev vows to remove missiles if U.S. pledge not to invade Cuba U.S. agrees to move missiles out of Turkey Both Khrushchev and JFK take some blame for the crisis Brinkmanship? Ideal chance to invade Cuba?

CRISIS OVER BERLIN After the Berlin airlift many Germans begin to migrate into West Berlin (free from communist control) Khrushchev threatens to sign a treaty with East Germany that would allow the country to close all access to West Berlin Soviets surprise everyone and construct a wall that separated East and West Germany (helps keep people in East Germany) Leads to an established hotline between U.S. and Soviets Reach each other if another crisis were to happen Limited Test Ban Treaty -> barred nuclear testing in the atmosphere

THE NEW FRONTIER

PROMISE OF PROGRESS? JFK looks into “New Frontier” Exploring science and space Lacked popular mandate -> indication that voters approved his plan Persuaded congress to enact measures to boos the economy, build national defense, provide international aid, and fund a space program America is in a recession Pushed for use of deficit spending Approval of a $1.25/hr min. wage, extended unemployment insurance Creation of the Peace Corps Soviets beat U.S. to space -> U.S. wants to be 1 st to the moon July 20, 1969 = Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon JFK beings to focus on national problems (poverty and civil rights)

TRAGEDY IN DALLAS > public opinion polls showed that JFK was losing popularity because of his advocacy on civil rights JFK travels to Dallas, TX to mend political fences with members of the state’s Democratic Party Upon arrival, JFK is shot in front of the Texas School Book Depository Police arrest and convict Lee Harvey Oswald Killed by Jack Ruby while being transferred Creation of the Warren Commission -> investigated the JFK assassination Lyndon B. Johnson takes oath and becomes new President

THE GREAT SOCIETY

LBJ’S PATH TO POWER He lived a childhood of a middle class family Entered politics when he won a special election to become a member of the House of Representatives Makes a move/transition to the Senate Becomes the Senate majority leader Asked to be V.P. candidate by JFK Hopes of getting the Southern vote

LBJ’S DOMESTIC AGENDA > Congress passes a tax reduction of over $10 bil Spurred economic growth Civil Rights Act of > prohibited discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, and sex and granted the federal gov’t new powers to enforce it Declares an “unconditional war on poverty in America” Economic Opportunity Act (EOA) -> created things like Job Corps Youth Training Program, Project Head Start, etc. LBJ crushes Barry Goldwater in the election of 1964 Johnson runs on gov’t help and not being involved in Vietnam

THE GREAT SOCIETY LBJ’s vision for America Legislation program that would create not only a higher standard of living and equal opportunity, but also promotes a richer quality of life for all He focuses on education (“key that can unlock the door”) Established Medicare (insurance for Americans 65+) and Medicaid (health insurance to welfare recipients) Immigration Act of > allowed many non-European immigrants to settle in the U.S. by ending quotas based on nationality Begin to protect consumers by focusing on health concerns in all industry

WARREN COURT Given to the Supreme Court under Chief Justice Earl Warren Brown v Board of Education Banned sanction prayer Declared state-required oaths unconstitutional Addresses state reapportionment (drawing of districts) Baker v Carr = “one person, one vote” (court could tell states to reapportion) Rights of the accused Mapp v Ohio -> evidence seized illegally could not be used Gideon v Wainwright -> legal representation for people who could not afford it Escobedo v. Illinois -> lawyer present while being questioned Miranda v. Arizona -> must be read rights before questioning

IMPACT OF THE GREAT SOCIETY No president in the post-WWII era extended the power and reach of the federal gov’t more than LBJ Poverty decreases from 21% - 11% Tax cuts spurred the economy but led to a budget deficit Communism in Vietnam begins to trouble Americans