Kennedys—American dynasty Joseph Kennedy—Bank President, FDR appoints him ambassador to Gt. Britain Sons enter public life Daughters marry men who can “become” Kennedys JFK—Congressman then Senator Marries Jackie

Democratic nomination 1960 Balances ticket with LBJ JFK—NE Roman Catholic LBJ—SW Protestant

JFK wins Debates—Nixon looks horrible, uses TV like FDR did radio Wins by close margin Issues—age (43) & Religion (Catholic) Youngest elected Emphasized separation of church & state

Public Appeal Camelot—fairy tale Jackie—style & elegance, redecorates, throws better dinner parties Reality—Jackie hated public life & often left with the kids Pres. has affairs—media keeps quiet, portrays him as a family man.

Kennedy assassination Zapruder film

Assassination Nov. 22, 1963 Warren Commission investigates Lee Harvey Oswald arrested Shot by Jack Ruby Warren Commission investigates no conspiracy—just Oswald Was there another gunman? Who was responsible?

Response Shock, grief Created a martyr Felt robbed Many felt country fell apart 11/22/63

Civil Rights Cautious—needs S. democrats Protection for demonstrators Appoints Thurgood Marshall as a judge 1963—TV coverage has to act Civil Rights bill-end employment, voting and state aid discrimination, end segregation March on Washington puts on pressure Civil Rights Act of 1964

Kennedy Administration Best & brightest—Harvard grads RFK as Attorney General Protects civil rights Goes after organized crime RFK runs for Senate/later Pres. assassinated 6/5/1968

New Frontier Get out of stagnation Help neglected Young & old Poor Minorities Catch up to USSR Alliance for Progress—help Latin America Peace Corps—help less developed countries Space Program—man on moon by end of decade Expand S.S., increase min. wage

Moon 1957—Sputnik—Soviets first in space, also Yuri Gagarin 1st to orbit U.S. behind 1st manned flight—Alan Shephard, Mercury Challenge moon by end of decade Increased $ for NASA 1969 moon landing Cost $35 billion Created new industries, products, jobs for 300,000