1. Standard and Objective
Stand 1: American History
Concept 9: Postwar United States
PO 2: Describe aspects of American post-World War II domestic policy:
C. Supreme Court Decisions
Students will interpret the changes brought about during Kennedy’s presidency by applying their knowledge of major supreme court decisions.

2. The New Frontier
The Election of 1960

3. John Kennedy vs Richard Nixon
September 26th, first ever televised presidential debate between Kennedy and Nixon
Both Parties spent millions of dollars on radio and television spots
News commentator, Eric Sevareid complained that the candidates had become “packaged products”

4. Anyone Remember Alfred Smith?
He was the CATHOLIC nominee from the 1928 election and lost because of it
Kennedy was also Catholic and that made people very nervous again since there had never been a Catholic president before
Kennedy made a speech where he said: “I believed in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute…”

5. Kennedy Barely Won
“Ask not what your country can do for you -ask what you can do for your country”
When he took office he started what he called “The New Frontier”
He wanted to make changes such as an increase in aid to education and health care for the elderly

6. The Usual Struggles of a President
Was able to boost the economy by creating jobs through the space program and defense spending
Congress refused to pass many bills Kennedy tried to pass such as lowering taxes, health insurance for senior citizens, and aid to education

7. Expanding Women’s Rights
1961 -Kennedy created the Presidential Commision on the Status of Women
Worked to end discrimination against women
Equal Pay Act -1963
Kennedy, however, never appointed any women to his cabinet

8. Let’s Review:
What are the major differences so far between the Kennedy and Eisenhower presidencies? What do you think are the reasons for the differences?

9. Rosemary Kennedy Was the eldest daughter of Joseph and Rose Kennedy
The sister of John F. Kennedy
Was mentally disabled and struggled with school and to be accepted
Her father, Joseph Kennedy was the U.S. ambassador to England until WWII

10. What Happened to Her?
She did ok while in England but when her family had to move back to the U.S. she became more erratic
She threw fits, had seizures and didn’t do well
She was a beautiful woman and her father was afraid that she would get pregnant out of wedlock
He decided to lobotomize her.
She lost her ability to speak, walk, do much of anything on her own

11. What Good Came Out of This?
Eunice Kennedy Shriver -Rosemary’s sister
After seeing what happened to her sister, Eunice became a strong advocate for people with special needs
When John became president, Eunice successfully lobbied for government funded research and institutions for the disabled
Eunice took on the full care of Rosemary and is the founder of the special Olympics

12. The Warren Court Reforms
Chief Justice Earl Warren made rulings that greatly changed American Society
One of the major rulings was Baker v. Carr in This gave federal courts jurisdiction to hear lawsuits forcing states to redraw electoral districts
The other was Reynolds v. Sims in This ruled that states had to reapportion electoral districts along the lines of “one person, one vote”

13. Due Process
There were several court cases protecting the rights of citizens
The Bill of Rights only applied to the Federal Government -States had their own bill of rights
The Supreme Court started using the Fourteenth Amendment to extend the Bill of Rights to the states
This is when it was ruled that a defendant had the right to a lawyer regardless of the ability to pay

14. Miranda Rights Miranda v. Arizona - Yay, Arizona!
Right to remain silent; anything you say can and will be used against you, and you have the right to a lawyer

15. In God We Trust “In God We Trust” -1957 “One Nation Under God” -1954
Both products of Eisenhower’s presidency
Because of the Red Scare

16. Separation of Church and State
Engel v. Vitale Ruled that states could not compose official prayers and require those prayers to be recited in schools
Abington School District v. Schempp Ruled against state-mandated Bible readings in public schools

17. Right to Privacy
Griswold v. Connecticut Ruled that prohibiting the sale, use, and advocation of birth control violated citizens’ constitutional right to privacy

18. Well That Was a Lot!
Please discuss with a neighbor one of the following topics below:
Televised presidential debates
Religion of the president
Any part of the Rosemary Kennedy story
Any of the Due Process supreme court decisions
Separation of church and state and privacy
Please be respectful in your discussions. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, so listen closely and respond thoughtfully.