A Changing Home Front 1954 to 1978

1960 Presidential Campaign People happy with Eisenhower 22nd Amendment – two term limit for presidents…10 years

1960 Presidential Campaign Democrats Republicans John F. Kennedy Senator for Massachusetts wit, good looks, WWII veteran record …but Roman Catholic (assures voters of the importance of church and state) Lyndon B. Johnson (V.P.) Richard Nixon Eisenhower’s Vice President Henry Cabot Lodge (V.P)

1960 Presidential Campaign Nixon argues maturity and experience Television debates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oLYqUT24Vk 4 television debates Appearances???

John F. Kennedy “we wouldn’t have had a prayer without that gadget” First Roman Catholic president First president born in the 20th century Closest election in U.S. history…Kennedy won by less than 1/2 percent of the total vote Age 43…youngest U.S. president

Kennedy’s Foreign Policy Follows Cold War policies of predecessors Does not want to rely on the threat of nuclear war solely Prefers to have a number of options…Flexible Response Increases defense spending to boost military forces…non nuclear forces (troops, ships, artillery) Special Forces – Green Berets Tripled nuclear capabilities

Fidel Castro led an uprising that overthrew the current dictator in Cuba and established a communist style dictatorship tied to Soviet Union Castro “the reason president Kennedy can’t sleep at night” Only 90 miles from the U.S. CIA operation to overthrow Castro

The Bay of Pigs Invasion is a disaster 1500 rebels landed at Bay of Pigs but were quickly defeated U.S. naval and air support never arrived Uprising doesn’t strike support from Cubans Cuban military forces crush the movement and imprison 1200 rebels

The Bay of Pigs Made the U.S. look “like fools to our friends, rascals to our enemies, and incompetents to the rest” Brings Cuban leaders closer to Soviet Union

Cuban Missile Crisis

Berlin Crisis Khrushchev thinks Kennedy is weak and can be intimidated Ultimatum: West must recognize the sovereignty of communist East Germany…remove all troops from West Berlin Kennedy doesn’t give in… Doesn’t want to lose the confidence of Americans Berlin Wall erected…most widely recognized symbol of the Cold War http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwOfphFsUwM

Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Historic turning point, sobered by the brush with nuclear war 1963 – Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty – signed by U.S., Soviet Union, Great Britain End testing of nuclear bombs in the atmosphere and underwater. Hot Line – teletype line enabled the leaders of the two countries (U.S. & Soviet Union) to communicate directly during a crisis

The Kennedy White House

The Kennedy Charisma Captures the hearts of many Americans Popularity – has to request that people stop sending items of” Congrats!” to the White House Popularity stems from Cool intellectual personality Good looks Athletic appearance Handsome features “Profiles in Courage” Wins Pulitzer Prize

The First Family Jacqueline “Jackie” Kennedy Contributes to the glamour and mystique Women admire her…all over the world “I'd like to shake her hand first” and “the man who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris, and I have enjoyed it” Brings an appreciation for the arts to the White House Televised Tour of the White House https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfsVQpU3v3w Americans are also fascinated by the children Caroline John Jr….born a few weeks after the election

Effects on Youth Young people find Kennedy inspiring Public appearances draw huge crowds of young people…responding to his call for service and sacrifice “I’d never done anything political, patriotic, or unselfish because no one ever asked me to. Kennedy asked.” “Having faith in young Americans may be a simple idea, but it works.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tey6HAgip-w&feature=relmfu

Kennedy Public Appearance Avoids photos Wearing reading glasses Lighting to hide double chin Unhealthy Struggles with illness throughout life Addison’s Disease Back issues

Kennedy’s Advisers Use government to solve national & global problems Surrounds himself with others that share his vision Wants the “best and brightest,” well educated…”there’s nothing like brains. You can’t beat brains.” Not everyone impressed

National Security Affairs Dean at Harvard McGeorge Bundy National Security Affairs Dean at Harvard Robert McNamara Secretary of Defense Harvard Business School Grad Bobby Kennedy Attorney General Law School Grad (never practiced) “I need you….I need someone I know to talk to in this government” *proves to be his closest adviser Dean Rusk Secretary of State Rhodes Scholar

Foreign Aid Programs designed to help Africa, Asia, Latin America Strengthen developing nations to avoid communist take over Peace Corps – American volunteers sent to work for two years in developing countries https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LPfi2vjYVQ&t=8s

Peace Corps…now Volunteers 1960 – 7,000 1980 – 5,380 1992 – 10,000 2010 – 8,655 Serving 68 countries…U.S. appropriates $400 billion annually

Latin America Alliance for Progress Program Economic aid to Latin America In exchange for billions of dollars, they would begin democratic reforms Failure – population expanding, more money than the U.S. was willing to provide Money was falling into the hands of corrupt politicians Few leaders actually willing to enact new reforms

Domestic Policy Kennedy’s agenda becomes known as the “New Frontier” Economy Manage without disrupting business Elects a Republican as the Secretary of Treasury to appear bipartisan

Economic Matters Rising unemployment and inflation Increase government spending Persuades labor & business to informal wage and price controls Stop raising prices of goods Fewer wage increases Steel Industry breaks this informal agreement “Some time ago I asked each American to consider what he would do for this country and I asked the steel companies. In the last twenty-four hours we had their answer.”

Kennedy and Congress Little cooperation from Congress Southern Democrats and conservative Republicans oppose Kennedy’s agenda and blocked most of the domestic programs May 1962 –small dip in economy…asks Congress to reduce taxes…fails Legislation to assist older Americans in paying medical bills and education funding legislation also fail

Helping the Disadvantaged JFK ranks among the wealthiest presidents Donates salary ($100,000) to charity Seeks to help the poor Area Development Act (ARA) – help economically distressed areas- “The Other America” – book published Shatters public notion that EVERYONE prospered in the 1950s 42 million live on less that $1,000 per year Racism among poor African Americans Calls on America’s leaders to change this Work impresses Kennedy

Tragedy in Dallas In Texas to build support for 1964 election Dallas - November 22, 1963 Open-car motorcade https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEVfKKjODBg

Tragedy in Dallas Lyndon B. Johnson sworn in within hours

Tragedy in Dallas Lee Harvey Oswald arrested Jack Ruby shoots Oswald Many people call it a conspiracy

Tragedy in Dallas Televised funeral President Johnson calls for the Warren Commission to investigate