The Age of Camelot Unit 11 – The 1960s

The 1960 Election 1960 Election: John F. Kennedy vs. Richard Nixon First televised debate in US History JFK wins Appoints brother- Robert Kennedy to Attorney General of the US

JFK’S DOMESTIC POLICY “New Frontier” Aid to education Programs to end poverty Tax cuts Raise minimum wage Fund medical for elderly Make cities more livable Many programs were not approved by Congress and failed

1960’s Economy Economic trouble in the US Boost spending on Defense US increases stockpile of missiles and high tech weapons (nuclear submarines) Major Tax Cut Not very successful Recession ends in 1961

JFK & The Civil Rights Kennedy largely failed on Civil Rights Legislation After becoming president, he didn’t push Civil Rights in Congress Worried about splitting the Democratic Party Proposed no new Civil Rights laws in 1960-1961 After Freedom Riders outrage, he proposed new legislation but southern congressmen blocked it

JFK & The Soviet Union Space Exploration NASA created in 1958 Soviets send first man into space- 1961 Kennedy wants to send a man to the moon John Glenn- first US astronaut in space 1969- First man lands on the moon Berlin Wall built to stop refugees fleeing East Berlin- 1961 US and allies are outraged

JFK & Cuba 1959- Fidel Castro becomes dictator of Cuba Establishes close ties to the Soviet Union USSR sends aid, weapons, financial aid Many Cubans fled the communist takeover Bay of Pigs CIA plans an uprising against Castro Ends in total disaster- many people killed

JFK & Cuba Cuban Missile Crisis 1962- US spy planes spot Soviet Union building missiles in Cuba A nuclear weapon could easily strike the US Kennedy announces plan to blockade Cuba US demands all weapons be removed Soviet ships continue toward Cuba Eventually, Soviet ships turn around Soviets agree to remove missiles from Cuba and US agreed to remove missiles from Turkey

JFK Assassination Lee Harvey Oswald assassinates JFK in Dallas, TX November 22, 1963 Lee Harvey Oswald assassinates JFK in Dallas, TX Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson becomes president on Air Force One before it leaves Dallas with JFK’s body Oswald is murdered leaving court by Jack Ruby Conspiracy still surrounds JFK’s death