John F. Kennedy and the New Frontier The Years from 1960- 1963

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Crash Course USA vs USSR Fight! The Cold War: Crash Course World History #39 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9HjvHZfCUI 12 min

Kennedy is elected in 1960. It is an election between the incumbent Vice President Richard Nixon, and the Senator from Massachusetts. Nixon is running on his record of conservativism. Kennedy is young, energetic and full of promise.

Kennedy Foreign Policy Issues:   Cold War Rivalry between the superpowers – US and USSR rages on and gains momentum. The spread of communism and threat of nuclear war created tension in the US.

Flexible Response Containment Kennedy adopts this policy, which gives him latitude to respond as he sees fit depending upon the situation. He is not committed to a particular response.   Containment JFK continued Truman’s policy of containing communism. Kennedy shared Eisenhower’s belief in the Domino Theory. As a result of this, he continued to support the Diem regime in Vietnam.

Policies to facilitate Containment: Peace Corps (1961) This program is still in existence. It was intended to help locals so that they would not despair and fall prey to communism. Volunteers went to developing (third world) nations where they trained local people in technical, educational and health programs.

Alliance for Progress (1961) A program for the development of Latin America. JFK invited the nations of the Organization of American States (OAS) to form an alliance to promote economic growth and democracy in the region.

This did not occur. JFK was shot soon after. Aid to Diem (1957) In order to support efforts begun by Eisenhower, more “advisors” were sent to Vietnam, some of whom died in the fighting. The American advisors tried to convince Diem to adopt reforms and broaden his support within the country. Diem continued to be a brutal dictator. In November of 1963, the South Vietnamese military overthrew Diem with the knowledge and approval of the US. After this, the White House announced the withdrawal of US military advisors by 1965. This did not occur. JFK was shot soon after.

Kennedy Foreign Policy Issues: Bay of Pigs (1961) The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was involved in a plot to overthrow the Pro-Soviet government of Fidel Castro in Cuba. The result was a disaster. Kennedy took full responsibility for the fiasco, which had been approved by the prior administration of President Eisenhower.

Berlin Wall Erected (1961) The US beefed up the US military presence and financial commitment in West Germany following the Bay of Pigs incident. The East German government built a wall between East and West Berlin. It was meant to stop the flood of East Germans escaping to freedom in the West. The wall quickly became a symbol of tyranny and a strong symbol of the cold war.

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) Fearing another invasion by the Americans, Castro agreed to have the Soviets place nuclear missiles aimed at the US in Cuba. JFK learned of the plan while it was under construction. On October 22, 1962 JFK publicly announced to the American people the situation and his plan to blockade Cuba. He demanded that the Soviets withdraw the missiles. This incident brought the superpowers to the brink of war. The Soviets backed down.

Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1962) The US, USSR and Great Britain signed this treaty stating they would not test nuclear weapons in the air, outer space or under the sea. Underground testing was permitted.

Kennedy Domestic Policy Issues: The New Frontier is the name given collectively to JFK’s domestic programs.

Civil Rights African Americans faced discrimination after WWII. They wanted equal rights and opportunities. JFK had interceded to help Martin Luther King Jr. when he was jailed prior to the election. This action helped Kennedy to win the black vote.

The Space Program – NASA This program was initiated to promote patriotism and pride in the capabilities of our country. JFK’s goal “to land a man on the moon before the end of the decade” also had ulterior motives. The technology could also be used in the arms race competition with the USSR.

Domestic Programs supported/encouraged by JFK – Area Redevelopment Act of 1961 Fund to create new businesses and retrain unemployed workers Housing Act of 1961 Federal loans for construction of low cost housing and mass transportation