1960’s Lecture Notes

The Election of 1960 John F. Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon in an extremely close election First televised debates Election represented a general shift Liberal intellectuals “The Age of Camelot”

Fidel Castro In 1959, communist revolutionaries, led by Fidel Castro, had ousted Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. United States suddenly found that it had a communist regime for a neighbor 90 miles off the Florida coast.

Cuban Missile Crisis Possible solutions: Kennedy chooses to quarantine Bomb missile sites Blockade Cuban ports Label “quarantine” because establishing a naval blockade is an act of war. Stop Soviet ships from bringing more missiles to the island. Kennedy chooses to quarantine Soviet ships still approaching Cuba, but turn around (relief)

Kennedy’s Domestic Record JFK’s “New Frontier” Vastly expanded defense budget Moon landing proposal Faced opposition from Republicans and southern Democrats Peace Corps and Alliance For Progress created to provide economic assistance, promote American ideals

Dallas: November 22, 1963 JFK assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald LBJ sworn in aboard Air Force One Oswald was killed by Jack Ruby two days later Millions of Americans suspected a conspiracy Warren Commission did little to convince public that Oswald acted alone

Johnson Takes Over LBJ was committed to social equality, knew how to push legislation through Congress “Great Society” “War on Poverty” Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) established in 1964 to provide health and educational services

The Election of 1964 Landslide defeat of Barry Goldwater gave Johnson the ability to enact his “Great Society” programs Wilderness Act Elementary and Secondary Education Act Medicare and Medicaid Permanent change for voters in the South Democrat -> Republican

The Warren Court Landmark cases had a major impact Baker v. Carr (1962) dealt with congressional reapportionment Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) and Miranda v. Arizona (1966) addressed the “rights of the accused”