The New Frontier Chapter 28 Section 1

The Candidates The Election of 1960 Kennedy Nixon Catholic Came from a wealthy family from Massachusetts Outgoing and relaxed Nixon Quaker Financially struggling family from California Formal, stiff in manner

Election of 1960

Televised Debate

Main Issues Campaign issues Economy and Cold War Candidates differed little on these issues Both promised to boost the economy Both portrayed themselves as Cold Warriors Both determined to stop the forces of Communism

Main Issues Kennedy argued… Nixon argued… Serious threats from the Soviet Union Concerned about a missile gap The US lagged b/h the Soviets in weaponry Nixon argued… The nation was on the right track under the current administration (VP at the time) Democrats fiscal policies would boost inflation He had the foreign policy experience to guide the nation

Election of 1960 Kennedy came under scrutiny b/c he was Catholic US had never had a Catholic president Kennedy faced the issue head on in a speech One of the closest elections in history Kennedy won by a small margin

John F. Kennedy JFK was the first President born in the 20th century. His right leg was ¾ longer than his left and he wore corrective shoes to make up for it. He was the first President who had served in the U.S. Navy.

The Kennedy Mystique His youth and optimism captured Americans He urged citizens to take a more active role in making the US a better place “…ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” The media loved JFK, his wife, and their 2 children They were inspiring to the nation

A New Generation in the White House

LBJ and JFK JFK with an elderly Herbert Hoover

Kennedy’s Struggles New Frontier – Kennedy’s legislative agenda To increase aid to education, provide health insurance to the elderly, create a Dept. of Urban Affairs, and to help migrant workers JFK was unable to push many of his domestic programs through Many legislators did not feel like they owed him anything

Women’s Rights A number of women worked in prominent positions in his administration Although he never appointed a woman to his cabinet 1961 – JFK created the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women Federal action against gender discrimination Affirmed the right of women to equally paid employment 1963 – Equal Pay Act for women