The 1960 Election JFK vs. Nixon

The state of America in 1960 Economic prosperity of the 50s continues The “50s” don’t end until 1964! The civil rights movement continued to intensify in 1960; sit-ins and boycotts The Cold War continues to be dangerous, as the U.S. and U.S.S.R. continue to “talk tough” and build more nuclear weapons Cuba had just become Communist; U-2 incident had chilled U.S./Soviet relations Economic prosperity of the 50s continues The “50s” don’t end until 1964! The civil rights movement continued to intensify in 1960; sit-ins and boycotts The Cold War continues to be dangerous, as the U.S. and U.S.S.R. continue to “talk tough” and build more nuclear weapons Cuba had just become Communist; U-2 incident had chilled U.S./Soviet relations

Richard Nixon: Republican 47 years old Eisenhower’s Vice President Was able to run for President on the achievements of Ike Growing reputation in foreign affairs following the “Kitchen Debate” Eisenhower joked about Nixon’s input into important decisions: "if you give me a week I might think of one."

John F. Kennedy: Democrat Senator from Massachusetts Wealthy, powerful political family Only 42 years old (43 at inauguration) Roman Catholic- a controversial issue in 1960 Take out the “Meet JFK” activity- what are the most interesting and important facts we need to know about JFK?

The Great Debate September 26, 1960: 70 million viewers TV viewers thought JFK won; radio listeners gave the edge to Nixon The power of image 0YU 0YU didate.org/commercials/ didate.org/commercials/ 1960

Civil Rights in 1960 Sit-ins spread: churches, beaches, motels, libraries, theaters (50,000 people participate) Boycotts of national chain stores like Woolworths “Jail, not bail;” non-violent passive resistance Sit-ins spread: churches, beaches, motels, libraries, theaters (50,000 people participate) Boycotts of national chain stores like Woolworths “Jail, not bail;” non-violent passive resistance

JFK’s electoral “tightrope” He needed the support of the southern segregationists AND northern African Americans Vice Presidential choice from the South: Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson, Texas JFK provides moderate support: endorses the sit- ins and promises to sponsor a civil rights bill when elected October, 1960: Martin Luther King, Jr. forces the two candidates to take a side: he gets arrested during closing days of the campaign at a sit-in in Atlanta; sentenced to four months of hard labor for violating his probation He needed the support of the southern segregationists AND northern African Americans Vice Presidential choice from the South: Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson, Texas JFK provides moderate support: endorses the sit- ins and promises to sponsor a civil rights bill when elected October, 1960: Martin Luther King, Jr. forces the two candidates to take a side: he gets arrested during closing days of the campaign at a sit-in in Atlanta; sentenced to four months of hard labor for violating his probation

What do the candidates do about the MLK situation? Nixon does nothing JFK calls Coretta Scott King and his brother arranges for his release on bail; King is released a day later Democrats print 2 million copies of pamphlet: “No- Comment Nixon vs. a Candidate With a Heart, Senator Kennedy” JFK wins 7 of 11 states in the South; 70% of African American vote- The African American vote decides the election in closest election of 20th Century (0.1%) Nixon does nothing JFK calls Coretta Scott King and his brother arranges for his release on bail; King is released a day later Democrats print 2 million copies of pamphlet: “No- Comment Nixon vs. a Candidate With a Heart, Senator Kennedy” JFK wins 7 of 11 states in the South; 70% of African American vote- The African American vote decides the election in closest election of 20th Century (0.1%)

Was Nixon robbed? Hmm… ac2/wp-dyn/A Nov16?language=printer ac2/wp-dyn/A Nov16?language=printer news/washington/ jfk- chicago-politics_N.htm news/washington/ jfk- chicago-politics_N.htm ac2/wp-dyn/A Nov16?language=printer ac2/wp-dyn/A Nov16?language=printer news/washington/ jfk- chicago-politics_N.htm news/washington/ jfk- chicago-politics_N.htm “They stole it fair and square.” Voter fraud?