The 1960s

Election of 1960 Dem retained through Eisenhower’s presidency Republican nominate Richard Nixon – Seen as a strong statesman and diplomat Democrats nominate John F. Kennedy Charismatic, wealthy, and youthful First televised presidential debate – TV becomes the most decisive factor – Soviet arms race is top issue

Election of 1960 Closest election in US history!

New Frontier “the torch being passed to a new generation” Kennedy surrounds himself with pragmatists Domestic programs – Aid to education – Federal support of healthcare – Urban renewal – Civil rights Many programs stall in congress Economic success through military and space spending

Foreign Affairs Domestic policy turns Foreign 1961, sets up the Peace Corps – Aid to developing countries 1961, set up the Alliance for Progress – Land reform and eco dev. in Latin America 1962, Trade Expansion Act – Tariff reductions with the EEC (Common Market)

Bay of Pigs invasion (1961) Gave approval of Eisenhower’s Cuban exiles plan 1961, CIA-trained lands at Bay of Pigs Uprising didn’t go as planned Cuba get Soviet aid

Berlin Wall Kennedy meets Khrushchev Demands troops be removed from Berlin Soviets build wall around Berlin

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) US discovers underground launch pads Creates a naval blockade Khrushchev finally remove the missiles Lead to signing of Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

Flexible Response This is a move away from Dulles “massive retaliation” Reduce reliance on nuclear weapon, more on special forces (green berets)

Assassination in Dallas Kennedy was visiting Dallas, Tx Shot twice in the head and neck Warren Commission concluded that Oswald acted alone

Lyndon B. Johnson Sworn in 2 hours after assassination Less polished, better lawmaker and politician Was a follower of Roosevelt’s New Deal Wanted to expand social reforms – Civil rights – Income tax cut Leads to prosperity

The War on Poverty Michael Harrington’s best- selling book on poverty, The Other America (1962) Johnson declares war on poverty Creates Office of Economic Opportunity Very similar to New Deal

Election of 1964 Johnson is undisputed Democratic candidate Republicans nominate Barry Goldwater – Staunch conservative

Great Society Reforms Medicare – Health insurance program for those 65 and older Medicaid – Government-paid health care for poor or disabled Elementary and Secondary Education Act New immigration law – No discrimination quotas – Increased opportunities for Asians and Latin Americans National Foundation on the Art and the Humanities Two new cabinet departments – Department of Transportation (DOT) – Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Federal funding for higher education Federal funding for public housing

Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1965 Southern president persuaded Congress 1964 CRA made segregation illegal 24 th Amendments 1965 Voting Rights Act – No literacy tests – Federal registrars

Civil Rights and Conflict Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – March on Washington (1963) – March to Montgomery (1965) Black Muslims and Malcolm X – Nationalism, separatism, and self- improvement – Criticized King as “an Uncle Tom” – Used black violence to counter white violence – Assassinated by black opponents

Black Power and Race Riots Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) – Repudiated nonviolence and advocated “black power” and racial separatism Congress of Racial Equality Creation of Black Panthers (militant organization) Murder in Memphis – Nonviolent movement met little success – King was shot on his balcony in Memphis

The Warren Court and Individual Rights Criminal Justice – Mapp v. Ohio (1961) – Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) – Escobedo v. Illinois (1964) – Miranda v. Arizona (1966) Reapportionment – Baker v. Carr (1962) One man, One vote Freedom of Expression and Privacy – Yates v. US (1957) – Engel v. Vitale (1962) – Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)

Social Revolutions and Cultural Movements Student Movement and the New Left – University of California, Berkeley Counterculture – Hippies and flower children Sexual Revolution – Birth Control Pill – Antibiotics for Venereal disease The Women’s Movement – National Organization for Women (NOW) – Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

Vietnam Early Stages – Build up under Kennedy – Tonkin Gulf Resolution Escalating the War Controversy – Tet Offensive – L.B.J. withdraws

Coming Apart at Home, 1968 Second Kennedy Assassination Election of 1968