The New Frontier 28.2 Notes

The Camelot Years “Ask not what your country can do for you – Ask what you can do for your country.”

The Camelot Years Kennedy brought a majestic feel to the White House. Kennedy and his family were very charismatic & youthful Entertained people frequently at the White House Jacqueline Kennedy American women looked up to and mimicked Jacqueline Kennedy

President’s Advisors Kennedy hired a very well educated staff (copied Roosevelt) as advisors Robert McNamara – Sec. of defense McGeorge Bundy – National Security Advisor Robert Kennedy – Attorney General Dean Rusk – Secretary of State

Promise of Progress “Americans are new pioneers, they should explore uncharted areas of science and space, unconquered pockets of ignorance and prejudice, unasnwered questions of poverty and surplus”

Promise of Progress Kennedy’s Plan for America was called the New Frontier Medical Care for the elderly Rebuild Urban Areas Improve Education Kennedy’s election was a narrow victory and he could not get the legislative branch to help him fulfill his plan

Kennedy gets some help Congress agrees to Build up the national defenses Provide international aid to communist resisting countries Fund the Space Program

Stimulating the Economy The President is usually seen as the responsible party for economic growth or recession Who has the power to influence the economy? Kennedy introduced the idea of deficit spending The Government spending more money than it takes in to stimulate economic growth US Military received a 20% budget increase Minimum wage increased by $1.25 Increased government unemployment benefits

Addressing Poverty Abroad Kennedy created the Peace Corp Volunteers who go to impoverished countries to aid them. Volunteers are usually young college graduates.

Race to the Moon Russia sent the first man into space Kennedy held a special session of Congress to address Russia’s triumph The US created NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

Race to the Moon John Glenn became the first American man in space July 20, 1969 Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the moon. Created a national focus on education Science became a core class Increased federal funding for electronics and computers

Kennedy takes sides on Civil Rights and Poverty Economic Boom created by Deficit spending and the Space Race didn’t reach the South Avoiding the Civil Rights issue, Kennedy in 1963 takes a political stand against prejudice in the South Kennedy however, never got the opportunity to finish this battle