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)
Discuss: Why do you think JFK wins?
Kennedy defeats Nixon in nation’s closest election

3. 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

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
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

6. Berlin Wall (1961)
Khrushchev tells west to demilitarize W. Berlin, then orders E. Germans to build a wall to stop defections
JFK: “we won’t let Communists knock us out of Berlin”
Tensions rise but ultimately US military stays and wall is built

7. Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)
Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961)
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
However, JFK and Khrushchev cut a deal to avoid a nuclear war

8. Cuban Missile Crisis Political Cartoon
1. Describe people, objects, actions & words taking place in the cartoon.
2. Explain the symbols in the cartoon.
3. Explain the message of the cartoon.

9. Flexible Response
JFK dumps MAD policy in favor of Flexible Response (US will use different responses to communists threats not just nuclear)
Due to the miscommunication over Berlin & Cuban Missile Crisis, the two leaders establish a direct “hotline

10. More “Advisors” in Vietnam
Southern communists form Vietcong, a guerilla army fighting the US/SV and are supplied by NV along Ho Chi Minh trail
JFK responds by sending 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

11. 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/ alleged 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

12. Discuss: who killed Kennedy?
Suspects:
Oswald
CIA
Military
Mafia
Communists
Segregationists
Other??