Kennedy’s Foreign Policy 1960-1963

Essential Question What were the key foreign policy challenges the United States faced during the Kennedy administration?

What new directions did JFK take in dealing with communism? Main Idea: President John F. Kennedy sought new ways to deal with the challenges and fears of the Cold War.

What new direction did JFK take in dealing with communism? JFK continues anti-communist policies JFK increased spending on nuclear arms

What was strength Through Flexibility? Communist countries start using guerrilla warfare tactics. (small bands of soldiers using sudden ambushes) U.S. introduces flexible response: Special Forces Units such as the Green Berets ( troops that were ready to fight guerrilla warfare anywhere around the world)

How did the U.S. gain strength through aid? U.S. spends money in various regions of the world to attack poverty & to make communism seem less attractive In 1961 JFK signed an executive order (presidential directive) creating the Peace Corps (volunteers work in other countries in order to provide them with help)

Cold War Confrontations Main Idea: The Kennedy administration responded to Cold War crises in Cuba and Berlin

Cuba 1959 Fidel Castro takes control in Cuba and set up a communist dictatorship. Cuba became allies with the Soviet Union worrying the U.S. since it was only 90 miles south of Florida The U.S. was determined to make Cuba democratic that they supported a coup (overthrow of government)

What was the Bay of Pigs? A CIA supported attempt to overthrow Castro’s government. CIA trained Cuban rebels attacked Cuba & were defeated when JFK refused to provide them with air support

The Bay of Pigs was a disaster & had 3 long term effects 1. Kennedy never completely trusted military & intelligence advice 2. Nations in Latin America lost trust in Kennedy 3. Soviet Premier Khrushchev concluded that Kennedy was not a strong leader and could be bullied

What was the Berlin Wall? 16 years after WWII the city of Berlin is still divided. Soviets want U.S. out of Berlin JFK says no & sends even more troops to Berlin Soviets build a concrete wall separating East & West Berlin to keep people from leaving East Berlin. The Berlin Wall symbolizes communist oppression

What was the Cuban Missile Crisis? Main Idea: The United States forced the Soviet Union to withdraw Soviet missiles that had been placed in Cuba.

Cuban Missile Crises Oct. 1962 U.S. spy plane discovers launching sites for nuclear missiles being built in Cuba JFK orders a blockade (close off Cuba) of Cuba until missile sites were destroyed U.S. threatened to destroy any Soviet ship attempting to break the blockade

Cuban Missile Crisis Any missile attack from Cuba against any Western country would be considered an attack by the Soviet Union & U.S. would respond with a nuclear attack against Soviet Union After a 5 day showdown the Soviets agree to dismantle the nuclear missile sites & leave Cuba The U.S. agrees not to invade Cuba Kennedy stands up to the Soviets and shows Premier Khrushchev that he cannot be bullied

What was the Rivalry in Space? Kennedy promised to put a man on the moon by the end of the 1960’s N.A.S.A. (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) was given extra funding to lead the program In 1962 John Glenn becomes 1st American to orbit the Earth July 20, 1969 Neil Armstrong becomes 1st person to ever walk on the moon