JFK and LBJ

1960 Election Nixon v. Kennedy Significance: John F. Kennedy won First televised presidential debate One of the closest races in history John F. Kennedy won Televised debate showed Nixon looking very uncomfortable Helped JFK’s victory

Camelot Years “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” Youthful, glamorous First Family Popular with media Magazine photo spreads Fashion trends set by Jackie Reminded many of the mythical Camelot

“The New Frontier is here whether we seek it or not. Beyond that frontier are uncharted areas of science and space, unsolved problems of peace and war, unconquered problems of ignorance and prejudice, unanswered questions of poverty and surplus. It would be easier to shrink from that new frontier, to look to the safe mediocrity of the past, to be lulled by good intentions and high rhetoric -- and those who prefer that course should not vote for me or the Democratic Party. But I believe that the times require imagination and courage and perseverance. I'm asking each of you to be pioneers towards that New Frontier. My call is to the young in heart, regardless of age -- to the stout in spirit, regardless of Party, to all who respond to the scriptural call: "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be [thou] dismayed.“”

New Frontier Kennedy’s domestic agenda Increase education aid Health insurance for the elderly Help inner city

Peace Corps Organization that sends Americans to provide humanitarian services to less-developed nations Volunteers served as teachers, agricultural advisers, health aides and other services

Berlin Wall Khrushchev wanted to stop East Berliners from going to West Berlin Khrushchev demanded that US, GB, and France leave West Berlin Kennedy reaffirmed commitment to help West Berlin Khrushchev responded by building the Berlin Wall

Space Race Began when the Soviets launched the Satellite Sputnik in 1957 Americans were terrified and thought we were behind the Soviets in technological advancements In 1961 Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space JFK saw this as a challenge & proposed that we would be the first to go to the Moon

Space Race Established NASA to construct launch facilities in Cape Canaveral, Florida and a mission control center in Houston 7 years later on July 20, 1969, the US put the first man on the moon – Neil Armstrong. “One small Step for Man. One giant Leap for Mankind.”

Kennedy Assassination When? Nov. 22, 1963 Where? Dallas, Texas What? Lee Harvey Oswald accused of assassinating the president from the Texas Schoolbook Depository Jack Ruby killed Oswald while in custody 2 days later Led to numerous conspiracy theories Warren Commission (Earl Warren) looked into assassination Outcome: Oswald acted alone Conspiracy theories still around today

Lyndon Johnson becomes President – sworn in on Air Force One

War on Poverty Knew that JFK had a plan to improve Poverty & Civil Rights Created many new programs directed at inner city youth Upward bound – tutoring VISTA – Peace Corps for America Neighborhood Youth Corps – work-study for underprivileged youth

VS. Barry Goldwater

Election of 1964 Lyndon Johnson easily won the election in 1964

Great Society Programs for disadvantaged Americans Medicare – health insurance for the elderly Medicaid – health insurance for those living below the poverty line

Suffrage & Civil Rights Timeline Civil Rights Act (1964) Ended discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, nationality, religion, & sex

Suffrage & Civil Rights Timeline Voting Rights Act (1965): Prohibits states from adding special procedures to vote with the intent of denying someone the right to vote on the basis of race or color Congress intended to outlaw the practice of otherwise qualified voters to pass literacy tests

Baker v Carr and Reynolds v Sims ‘One man, one vote’ Required states to redraw congressional districts so they represented equal number of people