1. The New Frontier & The Great society
John F. Kennedy
&
Lyndon B. Johnson

2. The New Frontier and the Great Society
President John F. Kennedy’s efforts to confront the Soviet Union and address social ills are cut short by his assassination. President Lyndon B. Johnson spearheads civil rights legislation and declares a “war on poverty.”
Lyndon B. Johnson being sworn in as president of the United States after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Jacqueline Kennedy (right) witnesses the oath (November 22, 1963).
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3. The New Frontier and the Great Society
SECTION 1
SECTION 2
SECTION 3
Kennedy and the Cold War
The New Frontier
The Great Society
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4. Kennedy and the Cold War
Section 1
Kennedy and the Cold War
The Kennedy administration faces some of the most dangerous Soviet confrontations in American history.

5. The Election of 1960 (HON)
1) Watch the opening statements of the first Presidential Debate of 1960.
2) Address the following questions by:
first, thinking about and writing down your answer(s), and
second, sharing and discussing those answer(s) with your group
Questions:
Whom do you feel presented themselves most knowledgeably, clearly and conclusively?
Disregarding their appearance on television and considering only their discussion of their “platform”, whom do you think you would have voted for if you had been able to vote in the 1960 election, and why?
Do you agree with the conclusions of some historians who say that Kennedy’s television appearance (compared to Nixon’s) was ultimately what swayed the American voting public in his favor?
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6. The Televised Debate Affects Votes
Americans fear U.S. falling behind Soviets militarily
John F. Kennedy discusses Catholicism openly, allays public worries
First televised presidential debate between Kennedy, Richard Nixon
Nixon is foreign policy expert; many describe Kennedy as “feckless” when it came to foreign policy
Kennedy coached by TV producers; many believe he comes across better than Nixon
Kennedy and Civil Rights
JFK directly addresses civil rights and racial inequality directly in debates.
Further, takes stand on arrest of Martin Luther King, Jr; wins black vote

7. The “Camelot” Years The Kennedy Mystique The Best and the Brightest
Kennedy wins presidency in close election
Critics argue his smooth style lacks substance
Kennedy White House known as Camelot for its glamour, culture, wit
First Lady admired for her elegance; constant articles about family
The Best and the Brightest
JFK’s advisers called “the best and the brightest”
Brother Robert Kennedy named attorney general
McGeorge Bundy (Dean of Harvard) – Nat’l Security Advisor
Dean Rusk (President of Rockefeller Foundation) - Sec. of State
Robert McNamara (President of Ford): Sec. of Defense
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8. A New Military Policy Defining a Military Strategy
• JFK believes must redefine nation’s nuclear strategy
• Flexible response—fight conventional wars, keep nuclear arms balanced
• JFK increases defense spending in three areas:
- strengthens conventional forces
- creates army Special Forces (Green Berets)
- triples nuclear capabilities
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