1. JFK

2. ELECTION OF 1960 John F. Kennedy Richard M. Nixon

3.  1960 was the first televised Presidential debate.  Nixon came across as cold and clammy.  JFK looked young and vibrant.  JFK was the more appealing candidate and the debate helped. ELECTION OF 1960

4.  JFK would be the first Roman Catholic Pres. if elected.  People worried the pope would have too much power.  However, JFK was a visionary and appealed to the young and to women.  Civil Rights was a major policy push for Kennedy. JFK PROS AND CONS

5.  In a very tight and contested election, JFK won.  In his inauguration, “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”.  Kennedy Inauguration Kennedy Inauguration  The Kennedy’s represented youth and style.  They were adored. CAMELOT

6.  JFK surrounded himself with academics.  Robert (Bobby) was his closest advisor and brother. A-G.  Also included successful businessmen in inner circle.  They would face some tough decisions in short order. THE WHITE HOUSE

7.  Under Eisenhower, we threatened everything – massive retaliation.  Under JFK, it was softened with a new policy – flexible response.  JFK had Congress increase military spending. 1.More nukes – 3x 2.Special Forces 3.More soldiers FOREIGN POLICY

8.  Cuba was a major problem.  Located just 90 miles off U.S. coast  Fidel Castro – communist dictator had formed ties with USSR.  JFK inherited a plan to oust Castro.  The Bay of Pigs Incident (4/17/61) was a disaster – failed and JFK admitted it.  Bay of Pigs Bay of Pigs  Bigger problems to come. CRISES

9.  In Oct. 1962, JFK announced that we would remove nukes from Cuba.  We quarantined Cuba and dared the USSR to bring more.  They did.  We didn’t budge.  Their ships turned around and the Soviets removed missiles. CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS

10.  JFK’s domestic programs and vision were called the New Frontier.  He started us on a race to reach the moon – NASA.  Dealt with a sluggish economy by cutting taxes across the board.  Started international campaigns of the Peace Corps and Alliance for Progress.  Civil Rights programs were too risky politically. NEW FRONTIER

11.  On November 22, 1963, JFK landed in Dallas to make political friends.  While riding the backseat of a convertible, he was shot and killed.  Lee Harvey Oswald was caught in a movie theater.  Two days later, he was shot and killed by Jack Ruby.  The Warren Commission concluded Oswald acted alone. DEATH IN DALLAS

12.  VP Johnson was sworn in on Air Force One.  He was from Texas and was a master politician.  He was very liberal, but from a conservative state.  He would use the death of JFK to pass extensive legislation. PRESIDENT JOHNSON

13.  LBJ used his position and power to get Congress to do what he wanted.  Civil Rights legislation was passed in honor of JFK. (‘64 and ‘65)  Tax cuts to grow the economy.  War on Poverty – passage of Economic Opportunity Act (1964)  Head Start program in education for the poor. GREAT SOCIETY

14.  Medicare (elderly) and Medicaid (poor) were health insurance programs paid by the government.  A new executive department created – Housing and Urban Dev. To get homes for low and middle income families.  New environmental standards passed in part b/c of Rachel Carson’s book, Silent Spring.  Ralph Nader wrote a book, Unsafe at Any Speed, about safety standards in cars.  Laws passed to regulate safety in automobiles. GREAT SOCIETY

15.  The Warren Court (Earl Warren, Chief Justice) made major decisions.  Brown v. Board – desegregation  Miranda v. Arizona – rights of accused  Gideon v. Wainwright – rights of accused  The Court also banned prayer in public schools and reading from the Bible.  The Great Society started a decades-long creation of the Nanny state. We are paying the price now. LASTING IMPACT