Aim: How did the Kennedy years impact the United States? Do Now: Regents Review Quiz #1 Election of 1960 Electoral Map Homework: Final Exam Component #3 – Civil Rights Movement Venn Diagram due: Tomorrow

John F. Kennedy v. Richard Nixon – Election of 1960 John F. Kennedy: (Democrat) - an enthusiastic, energetic candidate to represent the new generation of young Americans and was very self-assured. Richard Nixon: (Republican) - Vice President for 8 years under Dwight D. Eisenhower; also a young man, but with more experience.

1. How close was the popular vote in the Presidential Election of 1960? 2. Who won the Electoral College vote in the Presidential Election of 1960 and became President? 3. What region/regions voted for the winner in the Presidential Election of 1960? Why do you think they may have supported the winner?

Dwight D. Eisenhower 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 There was fear that the U.S was falling behind in the Arms Race / Cold War with the Soviets

Kennedy-Nixon Debates The Kennedy-Nixon debate was the first televised presidential debate. How could this affect the outcome of the election?

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?

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)

JFK’s Inauguration “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” ….”We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” –JFK Inaugural Address (Jan. 20, 1961)

JFK’s Inauguration What do you think JFK meant when he said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country?” Why would the message in JFK’s Inaugural Address be especially important for America during the Cold War period?

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…”

The New Frontier Space: we will be the first to land on the moon! JFK gave money to the space program

The New Frontier Economy: unemployment was at its highest since before WWII; American economy was behind the Soviets

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

The New Frontier The Peace Corps is a volunteer program run by the United States government. The work is generally related to social and economic development. The program was established by Executive Order 10924, issued by President John F. Kennedy on March 1, 1961 The stated mission of the Peace Corps includes providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand American culture, and helping Americans to understand the cultures of other countries.

Critics of Kennedy 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.

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.

Military Response 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

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

Foreign Policy Bay of Pigs, Cuba: April 17, 1961 CIA trained 1,400 Cuban Exiles Kennedy cancelled air support Cubans did not rise up in support of exiles Castro personally led defense of island 1,189 captured/100 killed US paid $53 in food and medicine for their release

Foreign Policy Berlin Wall – June 1961 •Soviets demand Western democracies leave Berlin (East Germany) •Creation of the Berlin Wall- 25 mile wall sealing off the flow of refugees (East Germans escape to West Germany)

Foreign Policy Cuban Missile Crisis – October 1962 •United States U-2 planes discover Soviet missile bases in Cuba. •JFK attempts a peaceful solution to the problem. •Thirteen tensest days of the Cold War •Khrushchev backs down because the United States agrees to remove missiles from Turkey

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

The Warren Commission •Setup by President Lyndon B. Johnson to investigate the Kennedy Assassination. •Despite many conspiracy theories, concludes that Oswald & Ruby acted alone.