Presidential Administrations and Their Themes

Kennedy family, July 5, 1963 President John F. Kennedy, his wife Jacqueline, and their two young children, John Jr. and Caroline, symbolized youthful energy and idealism. This photograph was taken at their vacation home at Hyannisport on Cape Cod in July (John F. Kennedy Library) #35 President John F. Kennedy ( )  assembled one of the youngest cabinets ever  “New Frontier” inspired young Americans (Peace Corps, inaugural)  key medical and education bills stalled in a divided Congress  slashed taxes to help the economy

Kennedy campaigning John F. Kennedy is surrounded by supporters and the press as he arrives for the 1960 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. Young, handsome, and articulate, Kennedy introduced new vitality, and perhaps superficiality, into political campaigning. On television and in person, Kennedy was a popular politician; when he became president, he became a media star as well. (Wide World Photos, Inc.) Kennedy campaigning  promoted a multi- billion dollar project to land a man on the moon (Alan Shepard becomes first U.S. man in space – 1961)  Berlin Wall erected (August 1961)  Trade Expansion Act (1962) cut tariffs #35 President John F. Kennedy ( )

 “flexible response” leads to escalation in Laos & Vietnam  Alliance for Progress (1961)  Bay of Pigs invasion (April 17, 1961)  Cuban Missile Crisis (October 1962)  installation of “hotline” and speeches on détente (1963)

JFK assassination – November 22, 1963 As Jacqueline Kennedy reacts to her husband being fatally shot in the head, their open-air limousine races to nearby Parkland Hospital. The president died less than an hour later. CBS television news anchor Walter Cronkite cried as he told the nation the news. (National Archives) #35 President John F. Kennedy ( )  Chief Justice Earl Warren leads commission into assassination by Lee Harvey Oswald  praised for his ideals and principles more than accomplishments  charisma made him inspirational for 1960s generation

LBJ treatment Lyndon Johnson used his body as well as his voice to bend others to his will and gain his objectives. #36 President Lyndon B. Johnson ( )  a masterful wheeler- dealer with a history as a Senator (1948) and Democratic Majority Leader (1954)  sported a legendary ego and vanity  urged a liberal agenda of social & economic bills called “Great Society”

President Johnson signing the Civil Rights Act, 1964 Surrounded by an illustrious group of civil rights leaders and members of Congress, President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of Standing behind the president is Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. (Corbis-Bettmann) #36 President Lyndon B. Johnson ( )  banned racial discrimination in most private facilities open to the public  strengthened federal government’s power to end segregation in schools  created Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)  issued executive order requiring all federal contractors to take “affirmative action” (1965)

War on Poverty Johnson wanted to be remembered for his domestic programs, especially his effort to reduce poverty. During his presidency, Congress passed a variety of new programs, including Medicaid and Head Start, that targeted the 35 million Americans living below the poverty line. (Richard Wallmeyer/LBJ Library) #36 President Lyndon B. Johnson ( )  rammed JFK’s tax-bill through Congress and added his own proposals (“War on Poverty”)  swept Democratic majorities into Congress in trounce of Goldwater (1964)  granted more than $1 billion to redevelop Appalachia  created two new Cabinet departments  Housing and Urban Development (HUD)  Transportation  established National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities

Johnson signing Medicare legislation President Johnson's Great Society greatly expanded the role of society in the lives of Americans through passage of civil rights, welfare, and education legislation. In this picture, President Johnson signs legislation establishing Medicare. His wife, Lady Bird, and Vice President Hubert Humphrey watch in the background. (Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library) #36 President Lyndon B. Johnson ( ) Big Four  aid to education (Project Head Start)  Medicare (elderly)  Medicaid (poverty) established (1965)  Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 abolished 1921 quota system  critics charge waste  poverty rate declines measurably

Violence at Democratic Convention Photographs and televised pictures of the Chicago police beating and gassing antiwar protesters and innocent bystanders at the Democratic convention in 1968 linked Democrats in the public mind with violence and mayhem. The scenes made Republican Richard Nixon a reassuring presence to those he would term "the silent majority." ((c) Bettmann/Corbis) #36 President Lyndon B. Johnson ( ) LBJ praised  did more than any president since Lincoln for civil rights  showed compassion for poor an ill-educated  remarkable legislative leadership LBJ criticized  Great Society withers in face of war costs  ever-creeping inflation  War on Poverty faces resistance  Vietnam quicksand