Election of 1960 - The Candidates Richard Nixon (R) John F. Kennedy (D) More experience Ike’s popularity Face for Radio Inexperienced Charismatic Youthful - Camelot similar positions on many issues 1st TV prez debate – NEW POLITICS Kennedy “wins” debate & election – controversy. . . youngest elected prez @ 43 - 1st Catholic New Frontier: policies of JFK - Peace Corps, Alliance for Progress, Tough on Communism.

The Cuban Dilemma 1959 Cuban Revolution – Castro overthrows Batista (US friendly Dictator) 1960 Fidel Castro: “I’m Communist” Aligned with USSR- 90 miles from United States Takes U.S. properties US: Stop the spread of communism

Counter Revolution in Cuba Operation Mongoose 1961 Cuban exiles/CIA plan invasion: GOAL….. Overthrow Castro- Bay of Pigs Invasion Plans go wrong – AIRPOWER exile forces killed/taken prisoner RESULT: Humiliation

Participants in the Bay of Pigs invasion after their capture by the forces of Fidel Castro (1961).

The Berlin Crisis 1961: 20% of Germans flee to W. Berlin – Impact on East? Khrushchev: close access roads to W.Berlin RESULT: USSR isolates W. Berlin from E. Germany w/ Berlin Wall JFK did little

                                                                                          

A young woman and her boyfriend talking to the woman’s mother, who is on the east side of the Berlin Wall (1962).

Space Race!! April 1961 - Yuri A. Gagarin (USSR): first in space May 1961 - Alan Shepard (USA): first American in space July 1969 Neil Armstrong (USA): 1st to walk on moon

Astronaut John Glenn, Jr Astronaut John Glenn, Jr., standing in front of the spacecraft Friendship 7.

A New Military Policy Defining a Military Strategy JFK believes must redefine nation’s nuclear strategy Flexible response—fight conventional wars, keep nuclear arms balanced JFK increases defense spending in three areas: strengthens conventional forces creates army Special Forces (Green Berets) triples nuclear capabilities