Aim: How did JFK attempt to inspire Americans to improve the country and the world? Presidential term: January 20, 1961 – November 22, 1963

Ladies and Gentlemen, the NEXT President of the United States… Kennedy’ administration reflected youth, energy, & sharp break from Eisenhower The JFK era began “Camelot” comparisons with JFK as a modern-day Lancelot

The Election of 1960 Nixon (Republican) v. Kennedy (Democrat) First election in history that televised debates nationally Two interpretations: Those who watched TV felt Kennedy “won” the debate Nixon looked pale, uncomfortable, and sweaty Those who listened on the radio felt Nixon “won”

JFK’s “New Frontier” Space Race – promises to go to the moon (fulfilled 1969) Explore “uncharted areas of science and space” Fight communism in under-deveoped countries? JFK creates the Peace Corps Alliance for Progress – aid to Latin America Minimum wage $1.25/hour Attempts civil rights reform and aiding the “Other America” – but mostly fails (Congress and his assassination) For most of JFK’s first two years, he did LITTLE with Civil Rights

CIVIL RIGHTS during JFK’s presidency You can just TAKE A PIC, you’ll see this in a few days… Key Civil Rights milestones under his presidency: Freedom Riders James Meredith “Letter From a Birmingham Jail” March on Washington June, 1963: JFK used Alabama national guard to enroll two black students at the University of Alabama Proposed Civil Rights Bill: JFK was assassinated prior to its passage Civil Rights Bill of 1964

Berlin Wall (1961) construction begins

JFK and CUBA JFK inaugural address: our world is in “its hour of maximum danger” Crisis in Cuba! There’s a revolution to overthrow Fulgencio Batista (a dictator) In 1959 – Fidel Castro takes over Cuba In 1960, Castro begins implementing communism US cuts military aid to Batista’s regime because of the brutality against the Cuban people. Some US buisinessmen and mafia support Castro and the revolutionaries with financial aid and arms.

What is the main idea of the cartoon?

JFK and Cuba (continued) How does the US respond to Castro? USA cuts off diplomatic relations with Cuba (1961) 1961 – Bay of Pigs Invasion – What was it? Results?? It was a COMPLETE FAILURE! USA vs. Cuba tensions INCREASE! VIDEO

CRISIS IN CUBA! DON’T COPY! To protect Cuba from another U.S. invasion, the USSR began a secret build-up of nuclear missiles On Oct 14, 1962 a U-2 spy plane discovered Cuban missile camps How would the U.S. respond? Immediate air strike? Full-scale invasion? Diplomacy: trade nukes in Cuba for nukes in Turkey? Naval blockade to keep warheads out?

How did the Cuban Missile Crisis put the world on the brink of nuclear war? VIDEO

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) USSR puts nuclear missiles in Cuba America’s response? Quarantine = Naval blockade HEY USSR! REMOVE YOUR MISSILES FROM CUBA USSR’s response? REMOVE THOSE MISSILES! HEY USA! DON’T TOUCH CUBA! Fidel Castro & Nikita Khrushchev = BFF’s 

What is the main idea of the cartoon? This near-nuclear war convinced both sides to move from confrontation to negotiation What is the main idea of the cartoon? “Our most basic common link is the fact that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. We are all mortal.” —JFK