New Frontiers Politics and Social Change in the 1960s

New Frontier “We stand today on the edge of a New Frontier – the frontier of unknown opportunities and perils – a frontier of unfulfilled hopes and threats” -JFK, Inaugural Address 1961

Camelot Don’t let it be forgot That once there was a spot For one brief, shining moment that was known as Camelot. -from the lyrics to Camelot There’ll be great presidents again… but there’ll never be another Camelot." Jackie Kennedy, 1963 What added to the Camelot myth? -Kennedy’s youth -Fresh promise and youthful energy -Kennedy style -The best and the brightest Robert McNamara McGeorge Bundy Dean Rusk Robert Kennedy CAMELOT

The Kennedy Record The New Frontier -increase federal aid to education -provide health insurance for the elderly -create a department of Urban Affairs -increased minimum wage -end to poverty -tax cuts -Civil Rights What prevented JFK’s New Frontier from becoming a reality? -narrow margin of victory, no mandate -Southern Democrats blocked his efforts Notable Accomplishments: Housing Act - $5 billion for urban renewal Minimum wage increased from $1 to $1.15(1961) and $1.25 (1963) Increased Social Security benefits Peace Corps Space Program

The Warren Court Gideon v. Wainwright The Court ruled that every felony defendant be provided a lawyer regardless of the defendant’s ability to pay Escobedo v. Illinois A person accused of a crime must also be allowed to consult a lawyer before being interrogated by police. Miranda v. Arizona An accused person must be informed of certain rights basic rights: the right to remain silent; the right to know that anything said can be used against them in court; and the right to have a defense attorney present during questioning. Earl Warren

Lyndon Johnson Senator Texas, 3 decades in Washington, 10 as Senate Democratic leader The day after Kennedy’s assassination he told an aide… “I am a Roosevelt New Dealer. As a matter of fact…Kennedy was a little too conservative to suit my taste” A “good politician” in terms of getting legislation passed – greatest gift of compromise since Henry Clay The Johnson Treatment

The Great Society Johnson exploited the nation’s grief to pass Kennedy’s legislative programs Top agenda items: *tax reduction *Civil Rights legislation *war on poverty40 million mired in a ‘culture of poverty’ –alienated, forgotten video Great Society Set of federal programs targeting poverty *Head Start *VISTA *Upward Bound *Job Corps *food stamps *Community Action Program *grants to rural farmers *Elementary and Secondary Educ. Act

Election of 1964 Johnson & Hubert Humphrey (MN) -moved to the center ‘In your guts, you know he’s nuts’ -Daisy AdDaisy Ad Barry Goldwater -millionaire businessman -leader of the Republican Right ‘ Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice’ Called for the wholesale bombing of North Vietnam Railed against the war on poverty and the New Deal tradition Voted against the nuclear test ban treaty and the Civil Rights Act

Electoral Map Popular Vote: Johnson 43,000,000 Humphrey 27,000,000

Landslide Lyndon Johnson used the election mandate to push through his legislation. A total of 435 bills made their way through congress as part of the Great Society wave. Medicare/Medicaid – “care” for the elderly and indigent Elementary and Secondary School Act - $1.5 billion Appalachian Regional Development(‘66) - $1.1 billion Housing and Urban Development Act(’65) – 240,000 housing units; $2.9 billion Rent Supplements(’66)- to aid low income families How Successful was the Great Society at eliminating poverty?