John F. Kennedy

I. Background Elected President in 1960 At age 43, he was the youngest ever elected First Catholic to be elected President Question of whether a Catholic could make a decision independent of the Catholic Church Campaign – stressed the Soviet Union had gained nuclear superiority over U.S.

Emphasized Toughness Kennedy - inaugural address - his advisors were young men but, “born in this country, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace.” Bragged that America would accept the challenge of space “not because they are easy but because they are hard.” Increased the minimum wage to $1.25

II. Bay of Pigs Outlined in his Inaugural Address, Kennedy was committed to the Cold War Immediately began fine tuning a planned invasion of Cuba to overthrow Fidel Castro CIA had been planning with Eisenhower CIA had trained 1,400 Cuban immigrants TREMENDOUS FAILURE! No air support – Cuban army killed or captured immigrants within hours

Damaging blow to the U.S. reputation, at home and abroad Kennedy was unsure all along – but didn’t stop the invasion Consequences: Pressure/tension rose between the U.S. and Soviet Union

III. The Berlin Wall June 1961 Kennedy meets with Nikita Khrushchev (Soviet Union) Khrushchev was upset - too many East Germans were crossing into West Berlin. Average of 30,000 a month August 13, 1961 the East Germans built the Berlin Wall between East and West Berlin.

Hoped this would stop the flow of people across the Berlin border. The Berlin Wall proved to be a valuable propaganda weapon for the U.S. It was a reminder that communist governments had to use force to prevent their people from running away.

View from the west side of graffiti art on the wall's infamous "death strip"

West German police (in front of the Wall) and East German soldiers (on the wall)

IV. Cuban Missile Crisis Khrushchev/Cuba After Bay of Pigs Castro looked to Soviets for aid. Soviets started to buildup Cuban arms, including nuclear warheads, missiles, and 40,000 troops. Cut Soviet missile range in half October 1962 U2 spy plane took pictures of Soviet missiles in Cuba. (San Cristobal)

Kennedy’s decision was announced on TV October 22, 1962. Kennedy met with advisors for 6 days – decide how to get missiles out of Cuba Kennedy’s decision was announced on TV October 22, 1962. Naval Blockade Immediate Removal (5 missiles) At the last hour, Soviet ships carrying missiles began to turn back

V. Aftermath Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Established a Hot Line Outlawed tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater Established a Hot Line Direct line between the White House and the Kremlin Reduce risk of confusion and misunderstanding Since 1963 – prevented nuclear holocaust 8 times

VI. Assassination JFK Effects on the Country Felt betrayed by CIA Canceled U.S. air strikes in Bay of Pigs Quietly questioned U.S. involvement in Vietnam Planned to reorganize CIA and stop corruption Effects on the Country Disappointment – liked by the public Rise of Counterculture – young people with values that run counter to the established culture (start of the Hippies) U.S. involvement in Vietnam

EXIT QUESTIONS What was the G.I. Bill of Rights? How did Tennessee influence the music industry? What happened in the first televised debate? What was the Cold War? What was JFK’s bold statement about space? What is the relationship between Policy of Containment and the Truman Doctrine? What was the purpose of the HUAC? Describe what happened during the Cuban Missile Crisis.