1. The Kennedy Presidency
Aura of Camelot
History Alive Contemporary America

3. Kennedy Family Grandfather an Irish immigrant
Father made millions in liquor industry and banking and married daughter of Boston Mayor
Raised children to be competitive, educated, and aware of what was happening in the world
sons were expected to go into politics

4. John F. Kennedy
Entered politics at 29 - in US House of Representatives in Senate
Appeal - young, wealthy family, war hero, good looking
1953 marriage to Jacqueline added glamour

6. Democratic Nomination 1960
Showed enthusiasm that energized people
VP - Lyndon Johnson: chosen because he balanced Kennedy (southern, Protestant, experienced politician)
Kennedy’s program - NEW FRONTIER

8. Campaign
Catholicism issue - he emphasized belief in separation of church and state
Youth issue - people liked his energy and promise of change
Foreign: US fallen behind Soviet Union in defense and nuclear strength
Domestic: special help for minorities, poor and elderly

9. TV Debate First time Presidential debates televised
Kennedy and Nixon in 4 TV debates
1st Debate: Kennedy looked better than Nixon
2nd - 4th Debates: Nixon won but could not overcome bad impression from 1st debate

10. Election Popular vote Kennedy’s narrow margin - Kennedy 494.7%
Nixon 49.5%
Kennedy’s narrow margin -
called Coretta when MLK jailed for disobedience so
Brother Robert made call to Judge to get MLK out of jail
so won African-American vote

12. Kennedy’s Inauguration
Youngest person ever elected to President
1st Roman Catholic
1st born in 20th Century
Speech Challenged Americans to aspire to new greatness – defend freedom in world
“Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country”

13. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address
In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young American who answered the call to service surround the globe.
Now the trumpet summons us again - not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need - not as a call to battle, though embattled we are - but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation”-

14. A struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself.
Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and west, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?
In the long history of the world, only a few generation have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility - I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation.

15. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it - and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

17. Kennedy Uses TV 1st President to hold live TV press conferences
Made speeches to gain public support and explain actions
Agenda:
Alliance for Progress - economic and social reforms
Peace Corps - help less developed in world
Space program- increase funding
Opposition:
problems convincing Congress of Agenda
coalition of southern Democrats and Republicans came together to block Civil Rights bill and education bill

19. Kennedy’s Public Appeal
Attractive, youthful couple people saw as fairy-tale existence
Jacqueline made White House dinner parties gala events - invited wide variety of public figures
Not as perfect as appeared on surface
John cheated
Jacqueline hated public life

21. Kennedy Administration
Filled with political, academic and business leaders
Background’s: white, Harvard-educated males, at peak of careers, some Republican
Brother, Robert, Attorney General
protected civil rights demonstrators
cracked down on organized crime

23. Kennedy and Civil Rights
Moved cautiously - fear of losing Democrat base in South for other programs
Did provide protection to civil rights demonstrators
Proposed Civil Rights legislation - not passed until after his death

25. Moon Expeditions
Late 50’s Soviets ahead - 1st ICBM, Sputnik, 1st human in space
Kennedy increased NASA funding from Congress
Challenge: land a man on moon and bring him home safely
achieved Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin, and Michael Collins
Legacy - new industries, new products, employment, and boost in nation’s confidence

28. Kennedy’s Assassination
November 22, 1963, Dallas, Texas
Lee Harvey Oswald - assassin
Jack Ruby - killer of assassin
Warren Commission - formed to look into assassination
Conclusion: Oswald acted alone, no conspiracy

30. Public Response Shocked and traumatized nation
Placed Kennedy on pedestal
Watch family like movie stars