Life in the 1960s Chapter 12, Lesson 3

Kennedy Years “…ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your county.” John Fitzgerald Kennedy: youngest US President ever elected. 1960

Believed citizens could change society for the better—both young and old Introduced programs to improve US life – Called The New Frontier – For example: Peace Corps The Peace Corps Help people in foreign countries AROUND the World! Sent volunteers to teach children, grow food, and help start businesses Still Exits

The Space Race Let’s look at the differing opinions Now, let’s check out NASA response today

The Space Race Space Race: competition between US and the Soviet Union to send people into outer space

First Victory… SOVIET UNION 1957: rocket Sputnik I sent to outer space – First object to circle the earth in space April 1961: First man in space – Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin orbited the earth in a space capsule

US Rushes to Catch Up One month later (May 1961), Alan Shepard blasts off in Mercury space capsule February 1962: John Glenn orbits the earth for six hours in space capsule, Friendship 7 President Kennedy promises US will beat Soviet Union to the moon

United States to the Moon Apollo moon program July 20 th, 1969: Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin land on the moon “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”

A Changing Nation Kennedy did not see moon landing… 1963: assassinated in Dallas, Texas American response was sadness and shock Would Kennedy’s plans continue to carry out?

A New President’s Influence Vice President, Lyndon Baines Johnson, becomes President Starts the Great Society – Government program – Set on ending poverty (“war on poverty”) – Provide food, shelter, and medical care for those in need – Gave people an education and job training

Johnson’s plan includes creating welfare – Welfare: a government program that helps people in need

Another Leader in 1960s Robert F. Kennedy, brother of President Kennedy 1968: Runs for president Supports civil rights and aids for the poor

More Deaths? Assassinated during his campaign What other assassinations have just happened? Left the nations stunned

Leaving a Legacy Robert Kennedy popular with young people Baby Boomer generation are teenagers in 1960s – Generation: a group of people born at about the same time Want to end injustice and poverty Sing Bob Dylan songs: “The Times, They Are A-Changin’”

Come gather ’round people Wherever you roam And admit that the waters Around you have grown And accept it that soon You’ll be drenched to the bone If your time to you is worth savin’ Then you better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone For the times they are a-changin’

Come mothers and fathers Throughout the land And don’t criticize What you can’t understand Your sons and your daughters Are beyond your command Your old road is rapidly agin’ Please get out of the new one if you can’t lend your hand For the times they are a-changin’

The line it is drawn The curse it is cast The slow one now Will later be fast As the present now Will later be past The order is rapidly fadin’ And the first one now will later be last For the times they are a-changin’

1960s Culture Culture begins to change Rock ‘n’ Roll becomes the most popular music of young people Artists express themselves in different ways “Pop Art” (popular art) uses designs of everyday objects, comic strips, and advertisements. Andy Warhol: show that advertising has too much influence over people – Makes fun of people’s fascinations with consumer goods.

Make Your Own Choose a consumer good Draw it Change the color or an attribute four times