1. How does America change during “Camelot”?
The Kennedy Years
How does America change during “Camelot”?

2. The Television Election
1960 election: VP Richard Nixon vs. Sen. John F. Kennedy (issues: Nixon experienced vs JFK not experienced & Catholic)
First debate, radio listeners think Nixon won, TV viewers say Kennedy won (Kennedy better w/ television)
Eisenhower warns public of power of military-industrial complex
Kennedy defeats Nixon in nation’s closest election

3. First family captivates nation, modern day Camelot (royalty)
The Camelot Years
Kennedy inauguration “ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for you country”
First family captivates nation, modern day Camelot (royalty)
Kennedy surrounds himself bright-minded cabinet but relies most on his brother Bobby who is Attorney General

4. The New Frontier
Domestically, JFK wants to stimulate stagnant economy
Gets Congress to lower taxes+hike min. wage = low unemplymt
Peace Corps
JFK starts volunteer program, young people sign up & travel to Asia, Africa, Lat. America to assist people
Race to the Moon
After Soviets put first man into space, JFK challenges the nation saying we need to put a man on the moon by end of 60s

5. Kennedy & Civil Rights
MLK & 33 others “sit-in” at Atlanta lunch counter, King gets 1 month hard labor, JFK asks Bobby to get judge to release MLK
1962: James Meredith wants to enroll at Ole Miss. Gov Ross Barnett refuses to let him register
JFK sends in federal troops to allow Meredith into school
1963: Alabama Gov George Wallace refuse school desegregation
JFK sends in federal troops to allow black students entry
In a speech to Congress he urges them to pass a Civil Rights Act

6. Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)
Bay of Pigs Invasion
Fidel Castro takes over Cuba, JFK okays an Eisenhower era planned invasion of Cuba (CIA trains Cuban exiles)
Bay of Pigs invasion fails. JFK won’t use US military to help
Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)
Cuba asks Soviets for help
Soviets offer nuclear missiles in Cuba, U2 spy planes photograph sites
JFK demands all missiles be removed. US begins to blockade Cuba
However, JFK and Khrushchev cut a deal to avoid a nuclear war

7. Cuban Missile Crisis Political Cartoon
1. Describe people, object and actions taking place in the cartoon.
2. Explain the symbols in the cartoon.
3. Explain the message of the cartoon.

8. Flexible Response
JFK dumps MAD policy in favor of Flexible Response (US will use different responses to communists threats not just nuclear)
Berlin Wall
Khrushchev tells E. Germans to build a wall to stop defections
JFK sees wall as Soviets isolating W. Berlin, says we won’t let Communists knock us out of Berlin
Showdown between two leaders leads to estb. of “Hot Line”

9. More “Advisors” in Vietnam
Southern communists form Vietcong who will use guerilla warfare to fight Diem govt & US advisors
North Vietnam begins aiding Vietcong thru a network of secret paths called the Ho Chi Minh Trail
JFK sends more advisors to SV
Monks protest Diem’s govt, Americans can’t believe their eyes
JFK authorizes CIA sponsored coup against Diem, Diem killed in Coup – Kennedy expressing doubts about US role in Vietnam

10. Tragedy in Dallas
Nov 22nd, 1963: while campaigning for re-election, shots are fired at JFK’s motorcade after it passes Texas School Book Dep.
Police charge a man named Lee Harvey Oswald with the crime
Oswald claims he is a “patsy”. Next AM Oswald is shot a man w/ mafia connections named Jack Ruby
Many witnesses say they heard shots from grassy knoll in front of motorcade (JFK head goes back & left)
Warren Commission concludes Oswald acted alone