Dwight D. Eisenhower

Election of 1960 As Eisenhower’s second term in office drew to a close, voters were concerned about: Recession Launch of Sputnik USSR- development of Long range missiles Soviet Alignment with Cuba U2 Incident

Election of 1960 continued There was fear that the U.S was falling behind in the Arms Race / Cold War with the Soviets

1960 Presidential Election… You have just been elected as the Presidential candidate for your political party. You are going to be meeting your opponent at a debate in which the main focus is going to be the Cold War. What are some policies/programs you want to implement in order to attempt to ease the tensions between the US and the Soviet Union.

The Candidates: Democratic nominee: John F. Kennedy pledged - “to get America moving again”

Republican- Richard Nixon Republican Nominee: Richard M. Nixon- hoped to win by riding “on the coattails of Eisenhower’s popularity”

Kennedy was very wealthy, handsome, and charismatic but was young (43) Televised Debates Kennedy was very wealthy, handsome, and charismatic but was young (43) Kennedy and Nixon took part in the first televised debates on September 26, 1960- over 70 million viewers

Nixon was an expert on foreign policy but JFK was coached by television producers and spoke better than Nixon “That night, image replaced the printed word as the natural language of politics” (Russell Baker, journalist) (clip)

President Eisenhower and Nixon ignored the situation. Kennedy and Civil Rights In Atlanta, Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested with 33 other protestors for sitting at a segregated lunch counter. Martin Luther was sent off to hard labor and the others were set free. President Eisenhower and Nixon ignored the situation. President Kennedy fought for Martin Luther to be freed from jail.

Kennedy's Administration Kennedy Ultimately defeated Nixon and was elected in November of 1960 At his inauguration Kennedy famously stated “And so my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you- Ask what you can do for your country”

The New Frontier “We stand today on the edge of a new frontier….Americans will be new pioneers and explore uncharted regions of science and space, unconquered pockets of prejudice and ignorance, unanswered question of poverty and surplus…” Kennedy’s Campaign pledges included: Space: we will be the first to land on the moon! JFK gave money to the space program (CLIP JFK moon speech) Economy: unemployment was at its highest since before WWII; American economy was behind the Soviets

Domestic Issues: 50 million people were making less than $1000 a year! Racial injustice- wanted to end Racial discrimination

Why would this picture be appealing to the people in the United States Why would this picture be appealing to the people in the United States? Could it help a candidate win the Presidential election?

Newspaper and T.V. were always following the charismatic Kennedy’s. The Kennedy Mystique Critics of Kennedy’s presidency said he lacked substance, but America was fascinated with the first family. Women, amazed by the first ladies’ taste in fashion and culture, followed her style. Newspaper and T.V. were always following the charismatic Kennedy’s.

The Camelot Years A new era for the White House, one of grace, elegance, and wit. On numerous occasion JFK and his young wife invited many celebrities and to White House gatherings. In addition, the Kennedy's often appeared on T.V., bolstering the White House image. (clip JFK in the Whitehouse)

Flexible response Replaced Massive Retaliation New Military Policy Flexible response Replaced Massive Retaliation Massive Retaliation- defeat on the ground or using Nuclear weapons Flexible Response: strengthened the military to fight a non-nuclear war

New military strategies: Increased defense spending: New Military Policy New military strategies: Increased defense spending: Expanded troops, ships, and artillery, also formed a new elite branch of army called the “Special Forces” or “Green Berets” Nuclear capacities expanded (if needed)

New Military Policy Allowed the US to fight limited wars around the world while maintaining a balance of nuclear power with the Soviet Union

Tragedy in Dallas While in Dallas, Texas Kennedy is assassinated by rifle shot to the head. Lee Harvey Oswald is charged with the crime as his palm print was found on the rifle that killed Kennedy Ex-Marine Dishonorable Discharge Spent time in Soviet Union Supports Castro Last years clip

The Kennedy Years Kennedy proposed an expansion of programs designed to help the poor Most were not passed by Congress JFK started the Peace Corps (volunteers who were sent to poor nations to teach & provide technical help) JFK also proposed a manned mission to the moon Many of JFK’s proposals were never enacted due to his tragic assassination on November 22, 1963 in Dallas, Texas