Chapter 28: The New Frontier and the Great Society

Questions to Consider What issues and events helped Kennedy win in 1960? What was the Kennedy mystique? What factors help explain the public’s fascination with the Kennedy’s? What was the goal of the doctrine of flexible response?

Crises over Cuba From Fidel Castro led communist guerilla movement (with aid from the Soviet Union) to overthrow Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista Upon coming to power, seized American and British oil refineries; broke up commercial farms Political repression and exile Bay of Pigs Invasion

Map of Cuba used during President’s meetings with political and military advisors

U-2 Photography of a truck convoy approaching a deployment of Soviet Medium Range Ballistic Missiles near Los Palacios at San Cristobal

Medium Range Ballistic Missile Field Launch Site, San Critobal No. 1, 14 October 1962

CIA Briefing board for JFK showing range of Soviet Medium Range Ballistic Missiles

CIA reference photograph of Soviet Medium Range Ballistic Missile (SS- 4) in Red Square

What led Kruschev to erect the Berlin Wall (1961)? Piece of Berlin Wall Checkpoint Charlie Path of Berlin Wall

Questions for Discussion Why did Kennedy have difficulty achieving many of his New Frontier goals? Why did Kennedy want to invest in foreign aid? What effect did the space program have on other areas of American life? In what directions did President Kennedy seem to be taking his administration in 1963?

Peace Corps Assignment Task: Write a job description to recruit people to join the Peace Corps Purpose: To explore the purpose of the Peace Corps and the dedication of its volunteers Directions: Use library resources and/or the Internet to research the work that Peace Corps volunteers do. Write an ad for a specific job in a specific country, giving a description of the work involved and listing qualifications needed by applicants. Ad should include photos or drawings of volunteers doing similar work.

Kennedy Assassination November 22, 1963: Kennedy visiting Texas; meeting with governor to try and mend relations with states’ Democratic Party Lee Harvey Oswald: Dishonorable discharge (marine) Briefly lived in Soviet Union Upon return to US, active support of Castro November 24, 1963: while being transferred, Dallas nightclub owner, Jack Ruby, shot Oswald

Conspiracy Theories?? Warren Commission Created November 29, 1963 Objective report of the facts of the Kennedy assassination Conclusion: Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone Findings have proven to be controversial Conspiracy theories: More than one gunman CIA conspiracy Secret Service conspiracy Organized crime Lyndon Johnson Cuban Exiles Soviets