John F. Kennedy Administration

Election of 1960 Republicans nominated Richard Nixon to run for President As Vice President, he had gained a reputation as a statesman. He stood up to Khruschev in the “Kitchen Debate.” He was 47 years old and an excellent campaigner.

Election of 1960 The Democrats nominated John F. Kennedy, a youthful 43 year old Senator from Massachusetts Major Obstacles 1. Youth 2. No Catholic had ever been elected President of the US.

Election of 1960 JFK was helped by the televised Presidential Debate. He seemed vigorous and comfortable, while Nixon appeared to be pale and tense.

Election of 1960

JFK’s Appeal JFK was tremendously popular to many Americans. His wife, Jackie, and young family, seemed to symbolize the turning over the country to a new generation. The press loved his witty press conferences. He chose his younger brother, Robert, to be his Attorney General.

The New Frontier JFK called for: Increased Federal Aid to education Federal support of health care (especially for the elderly) Urban Renewal Civil Rights Increase in Minimum Wage Major Tax Cuts JFK had difficulty getting his programs passed by Congress Small margin of victory in 1960 Also, while Congress was controlled by Democrats, many of these were Conservative Southern Democrats who had little interest in JFK’s liberal policies.

The Peace Corps Established to send college graduates to undeveloped countries to try to bring education, irrigation, power development, and other technical aid to these peoples

Bay of Pigs Invasion Worried about the growing ties between Cuba and the USSR Kennedy approved a covert operation to attempt to topple Fidel Castro. In April 1961 around 1500 Cuban exiles invaded at the Bay of Pigs

Bay of Pigs Invasion The invasion was quickly defeated in 3 days. The failure was a huge embarrassment to the United States and contributed stronger ties between Cuba and the USSR

Berlin Wall By 1961 there was a stark contrast between East and West Germany. Many East Germans viewed West Germany as a symbol of freedom and prosperity. Since the end of WWII over 2.5 million East Germans had fled to the West.

Berlin Wall On August 13, 1961 East Germany began construction on a barrier between East and West Berlin to end the defections. The US was strongly opposed to the wall and President Kennedy sent additional US forces to West Berlin.

Berlin Wall A standoff occurred with US and Soviet tanks facing off in close proximity. Cooler heads prevailed and there was no shooting but the wall remained.

Cuban Missile Crisis U-2 Spy Planes brought back pictures of nuclear missile bases being built in Cuba by the USSR

Cuban Missile Crisis Threat to the US These missiles could reach the US in a matter of minutes

Quarantine of Cuba The US responded to the threat by ordering a quarantine of Cuba causing a showdown between the US and USSR

Security Council Diplomat Adlai Stevenson showed the world evidence of the Soviet aggression at the UN. A deal was struck where the Soviets would withdraw their missiles in return for the US agreeing to never invade Cuba and to secretly withdraw missiles from Turkey.

“Waiting for Someone to Blink”

Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Following the Cuban Missile Crisis the leaders of the US and USSR installed a direct “hotline” allowing each other to talk to each other in a moment’s notice during times of crisis. Leaders also agreed to a ban on above ground nuclear weapons testing.