The Election, Civil Rights, Dealing with the South and the Economy President Kennedy The Election, Civil Rights, Dealing with the South and the Economy

Early Campaigning Although Kennedy won a solid victory in the Democratic primary his youth, a seeming lack of experience in foreign affairs, and his Catholic faith made him unlikely to win. Nixon struck many voters as more mature and experienced than Kennedy and led in the polls after the national conventions. Kennedy then challenged the vice president to a series of televised debates, as his party hoped his charisma would be able to win over voters. In 1950, only 11 percent of American homes had television; by 1960, the number had jumped to 88 percent Even though President Eisenhower urged him to reject the debate proposal and deny Kennedy invaluable national exposure Nixon agreed to a debate on nationwide television.

The Debate How do the nominees present themselves differently? Who do you think won the debate? Extension : How is this debate different from the 2016 versions  Kennedy wore a blue suit and shirt to cut down on glare and appeared sharply focused against the grey studio background. Nixon wore a grey suit and seemed to blend into the set. JFK spoke directly to the cameras and the national audience. Nixon, in traditional debating style, appeared to be responding to Kennedy. Most Americans watching the debates felt that Kennedy had won. (Most radio listeners seemed to give the edge to Nixon.)

Aftermath of the debate Most Americans watching the debates felt that Kennedy had won. Almost overnight the issues of experience and maturity seemed to fade from the campaign. Studies would later show that of the four million voters who made up their minds as a result of the debates, three million voted for Kennedy. Nixon seemed much more poised and relaxed in the three subsequent debates, but it was the first encounter that reshaped the election.

The African-American Vote On October 19, Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested in Atlanta for leading a civil rights protest. Although supporting King might have cost Kennedy votes in the South, he called his wife on October 26 to offer help in securing his safe release. Kennedy was subsequently endorsed by Martin Luther King Sr., father of the civil rights leader. The African-American vote went heavily for Kennedy across the nation, providing the winning margin in several states.

Civil Rights Policies • He began by continuing with Eisenhower’s policy of appointing more African-Americans senior positions. • He established the Commission of Equal Opportunities Employment to ensure the fair treatment of all federal employees. • Segregation was banned in federal housing. • Poll tax was abolished as a qualification for voting in federal election, because only those who earned more than a certain amount of money had to pay poll tax therefore as many African-Americans didn’t have that that level of income. Therefore many were illegible to vote. • After the poll tax was abolished five southern states still insisted on a minimum amount of income tax to qualify for voting rights.

Problems in the South • During the Freedom rides civil rights activists tested the transport desegregation laws but in the segregated South they were met with abuse and violent assault and local authorities did little to prevent this. Little action was taken against the state authorities. • These continued the next year when the police chief in Birmingham, Alabama, when the police chief, ‘Bull’ Connor launched violent attacks against African-American protesters. Then in 1963 the governor of Alabama, George Wallace tried to prevent two African-American students from entering Alabama University. In response to this Kennedy federalized the Alabama National Guard. By the middle of 1963 the South was filled protest and violence • Membership of the Ku Klux Klan was reported to have reached 50,000 and local governments in the South were ignoring federal authority.

Recession recovery Heavy deficit spending was needed to recover from 1961 recession. Kennedy directed all Federal agencies to accelerate their procurement and construction. He released over a billion dollars in state highway aid funds ahead of schedule, raised farm price supports and advanced their payment, speeded up the distribution of tax refunds and GI life insurance dividends. He created a "pilot" Food Stamp program for the needy and expanded US Employment Offices. He persuaded the Federal Reserve Board to help keep long-term interest rates low through the purchase of long-term bonds.

Economic expansion During the four years following John Kennedy's inauguration, the US experienced the longest and strongest economic expansion in this nation's modern history GDP increased more in 4 years than it had in the previous 8. By 1964, a record $100 billion, 16% growth in the nation's total output had provided more than 2.75 million more jobs and a record rise in labour income. The amount of idle manufacturing capacity had been reduced by half, and for the first time, the 70-million-job barrier had been shattered

Economic Comparison Truman - Democrat, extends social security, raise minimum wage, high inflation, continues New Deal Kennedy - Democrat, believed in deficit spending to increase economic growth, deficit spending reduces inflation, increase in economic growth, increases defence spending Eisenhower - Republican, constructive conservatism, believes in trying to cut spending (such as defence spending - causing a recession), extends social security, high inflation, Continues New Deal, reduces taxes, high growth in GDP