John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Kennedy speaks about his religion – Catholicism openly – citizens feel comforted JFK takes stand on civil rights – wins black votes Nixon is better at foreign policy First televised debate shows Kennedy as calmer and more personable than Nixon

New Frontier—policies of the Kennedy administration By 1960, U.S. in recession; 6% unemployment JFK administration pushes for deficit spending to stimulate growth Gets 20% increase for defense; money for unemployment problems And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country - Kennedy

Peace Corps—volunteers assist developing nations; great success Alliance for Progress—economic, technical assistance to Latin America - in part meant to deter spread of communism in Latin America

President and family fascinated the American public Media came to call the Kennedy era Camelot Jacqueline Kennedy received credit for giving the presidency much of its style and elegance. She gave America a look inside the White House via a televised tour

Brothers Appointed Attorney General Robert Kennedy was forceful during the various civil rights crises He cracked down on corruption in the labor movement and its tied to organized crime

1963 – “Are we to say to the world, that this is the land of the free except for the Negroes; that we have no second-class citizens, except Negroes; that we have no class or caste system, no ghettos, no master race, except with respect to Negroes? No” – Kennedy Called for legislation that would ban discrimination in employment, voting, and state programs receiving federal aid. 250,000 African Americans marched to Lincoln Memorial calling for its passage

November 22, 1963, JFK shot, killed riding in motorcade in Dallas Jack Ruby shoots alleged assassin Lee Harvey Oswald Vice president Lyndon Johnson succeeds JFK Warren Commission investigates, concludes Oswald acted alone 1979 reinvestigation concludes Oswald part of conspiracy

People wept, prayed, stood silently in the streets, and paraded with lit torches through the night as they mourned the loss Many felt robbed of the energy, confidence and hope he represented In a 1982 poll, a broad section of Americans revealed that Kennedy was considered the president who inspired the most confidence, could be trusted most in a crisis, set the highest moral standards, and had the most appealing personality.

Lee Harvey OswaldJack Ruby

LBJ is getting sworn in as the next president on the plane ride from Dallas

Johnson’s Domestic Agenda The War on Poverty 1964 tax cut spurs economic growth; lowers federal deficit 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination, allows enforcement LBJ declares “war on poverty” Economic Opportunity Act: education, training, small business loans Includes Job Corps, VISTA, Head Start, Community Action Program

Building the Great Society The Great Society Great Society—LBJ’s legislation to end poverty, discrimination Johnson gets Congress to pass 206 of his bills Education Elementary and Secondary Education Act funds school materials Healthcare Medicare—low-cost medical, hospital insurance for senior citizens Medicaid—health insurance for welfare recipients

Building the Great Society Housing Money set aside for public housing; low-, moderate-income homes Dept. of Housing and Urban Development created Robert Weaver is first African American in cabinet, HUD secretary Immigration Existing immigration quotas discriminate against non-Western Europeans Immigration Act of 1965 ends quotas based on nationality

Building the Great Society The Environment Water Quality Act of 1965 requires states to clean up rivers LBJ orders government to search out worst chemical polluters Consumer Protection Laws set standards for consumer labels, auto safety, food safety

Warren Court rulings expand rights of people accused of crimes: - illegally seized evidence cannot be used in court - courts must provide legal counsel to poor - suspect must be read rights before questioning Some praise protection of right to a fair trial Others think rulings handicap police investigations

Impact of the Great Society Social and Economic Effects Post-WW II, LBJ extends federal power more than all other presidents Poverty drops from 21% of population in 1962 to 11% in 1973 Massive tax cut spurs economy; Great Society contributes to deficit Debate over finances, effectiveness of programs, government role