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How does America change during “Camelot”?
The Kennedy Years How does America change during “Camelot”?
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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) Kennedy defeats Nixon in nation’s closest election Discuss: Who had the more effective ad and why? Would you vote for that person?
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Kennedy rallies the country at his inaugaration
The Camelot Years Kennedy rallies the country at his inaugaration 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
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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
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Kennedy & Civil Rights 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 1963: Birmingham rocked by violence, after seeing it on TV, JFK asks Congress to pass a Civil Rights Act
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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 fails miserably Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) Soviets offer nuclear missiles in Cuba, U2 spy planes photograph sites JFK demands all missiles be removed. US begins to blockade Cuba (quarantine) However, JFK and Khrushchev cut a deal to avoid a nuclear war 1963: JFK and Khrushchev sign nuclear test ban treaty
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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 & do they act on this?
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Cuban Missile Crisis Document Analysis
Document A – Khrushchev letter to Kennedy What deal does Khrushchev propose to Kennedy? What is the tone of this letter? Provide a quote to support your claim. Do you think Khrushchev has the upper hand (advantage)? Why or why not? Document B – Kennedy response to Khrushchev 4. In this letter Kennedy restates Khrushchev’s proposals. Does Kennedy include everything Khrushchev proposed? If not, why might have he left something out? 5. What is the tone of this letter? Provide a quote to support your claim. 6. Do you think Kennedy has the upper hand? Why or why not? Timed Writing: What caused the Cuban Missile Crisis and how was the issue resolved?
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Berlin Wall E. Germans (GDR) build a wall separating Berlin JFK thinks Soviets are isolating W. Berlin, won’t let Communists knock us out of Berlin, but GDR is trying to stop defections Flexible Response JFK dumps New Look/MAD policy in favor of Flexible Response (US will use different responses to communists) Due to Berlin & Cuba, a “Hot Line” is established (direct comm)
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More “Advisors” in Vietnam
Southern communists form Vietcong who will use guerilla warfare to fight Diem’s 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
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Police charge Lee Harvey Oswald with the crime
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 Lee Harvey Oswald with the crime Oswald claims he is a “patsy”, next AM Oswald is shot & killed by Jack Ruby (who had alleged mafia connections) Many witnesses say they heard shots from grassy knoll in front of motorcade (JFK head goes back & left) Warren Commission concludes Oswald acted alone
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Discuss: was it more likely that shots were fired by Oswald (behind), the picket fence (front) or both?
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