The Politics of the 1960’s The Politics of Consensus-A Continuations of Truman and Eisenhower Policies “Democracy is never a final achievement. It is a call to untiring effort, to continual sacrifice and the willingness, if necessary to die in its defense.” John F. Kennedy—March 19, 1963

John F Kennedy and the New Frontier- “The Triumph of Style over Substance” A. The Kennedy Mystique 1. Rhetorical Style of heroism and self-sacrifice 2. Election of 1960-First Television Campaign a. Barely defeated Nixon B. Height of the “American Century” ideology

Kennedy-Nixon TV Debate

1. Economic Programs-tax cuts for wealthy a. early “trickle down theory” C. Primary Interest was Foreign Policy 1. Cold War Warrior 2. Rhetoric of anticommunism 3. Bay of Pigs Fiasco [1961] 4. Cuban Missile Crisis [1962] D. The Myth of “Camelot”

E. Legacy 1. never seemed to understand the struggle of normal people 2. Ultimate “Imperial President” 3. Called young people to serve and encompassed civil rights appealed D. Assassination-Dallas Texas 1. Nov. 22, 1963

Lyndon Johnson becomes the 36 th President of the United States aboard Air Force One

The Election of 1964 Race Relations Main Issue Barry Goldwater ® -Arizona VS L. B. Johnson 61% B. M. Goldwater

Lyndon Johnson and “The Great Society” A. Civil Rights Bill of 1964 B. Voting Rights Bill of Kennedy Legacy C. Legislation included: 1. Employer Discrimination 2. Affirmative Action 3. Elimination of de jure segregation in the South

Signing the Civil Rights Bill July 2, 1964

D. The Psychology of the Skirmish on Poverty [“War on Poverty”] 1. Tax cut for wealthy 2. Individual Basis 3. Defining of Poverty a. family of 4 at $3000 or less b. poverty as a “real state” 4. Combating Poverty a. sought to cure the psychology of poverty instead of economics

5. Subculture of Poverty -elimination was through education - “Headstart” and “Upward Bound” 6. End Result -Blamed poor people for being poor -failed to address the problem of misdistribution of income -emphasized individual opportunity instead of massive programs for employment

The Consequences of Vietnam on the War on Poverty A. Turned Great Society into a “skirmish on poverty” * Great Society might have worked had it not been for Vietnam?