1. RTV 3007 • Intro to Television
The Kennedy Years
RTV 3007 • Intro to Television

2. KENNEDY-NIXON DEBATE, 1960 September 26, 1960
First televised presidential debate
Showed the power of image on television
TV watchers thought that Kennedy won
Radio listeners thought that Nixon won
Clip from debate:

3. KENNEDY-NIXON DEBATE, 1960
“Nixon appeared emaciated, unhealthy, and awkward. He arrived at the studio after a strenuous campaign where he appeared in all 50 states. He had lost 5 pounds and his shirt collar was loose..
He refused to have theatrical makeup applied to his face, but later applied Lazy Shave, a product designed to hide five o’clock shadow. It melted during the debate.
Nixon's gray suit blended in with the background, especially on the era's black and white television screens.”

4. KENNEDY-NIXON DEBATE, 1960
On the other hand, Kennedy appeared handsome, tanned and confident.
Kennedy took time to rest before the debates and his suit contrasted well against the background.
After the election, Kennedy became a regularly recurring face on television.

5. Camelot and Documentary
Kennedy was a natural for TV. He made a documentary, Primary ( about his run for president. His willingness to go on TV inspired TV news to produce more and better documentaries:
The Real West showed real life during America’s westward expansion, in contrast to Bonanza End of the Trail showed the lives of native Americans
Biography of a Bookie Joint helped launch Investigative reporting
Sit-In (1960) showed African-American resistance to segregation

6. THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS
January 1, 1959 – Fidel Castro assumes power in Cuba.
January 3, the US severs diplomatic ties with Cuba.
April 17, 1961 – Bay of Pigs invasion
August 10, 1962 – Photos show Soviets may have missiles in Cuba
October – Photos prove that the Soviets have installed nuclear warheads in Cuba
October 21, 1962 – Photos show that Soviet fighter jets armed with nuclear missiles are assembling in Cuba

7. The Cuban Missile Crisis
On October 22, 1962, 7pm - President Kennedy addresses the country. The US will blockade Cuba.
DEFCON2
Pt 1 - Pt
Pt.5 -
Pt6

8. March Toward Civil Rights on TV
In the early 1960s, Americans saw racial injustice and the demand for civil rights play out in the news and on television
May 1963 – The Children’s March on Birmingham, AL: birmingham-campaign TV captures excessive use of Police force on marchers in Birmingham:
June Governor George Wallace tries to stop 2 black students from enrolling at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa
August 28, 1963 – The March on Washington
The Sixties: A Long March to Freedom:

9. The Assassination of JFK
November 23, 1963
Walter Cronkite announces the death of John F. Kennedy
Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in as president 99 minutes later
Funeral of JFK was televised. Clip: