1. AIM: What happened in the election of 1960?

2. Election of 1960 - The Candidates
(R)
(D)
Richard Nixon (VP)
John F. Kennedy (Senator)
better relations with communists
Use Ike’s popularity
Expert on foreign policy
Promised to get USA moving again - stagnant
Civil Rights (contacted King in jail)
discusses Catholicism openly
Both had similar positions on many policy issues

3. Debates on TV! Americans fear U.S. falling behind Soviets militarily
1st televised presidential debate: Kennedy & Richard Nixon – LOOKS!!!
Kennedy “wins” debate & election
43 years old
youngest elected president
1st catholic

5. Camelot The Kennedy Mystique
Kennedy White House: called Camelot for glamour, culture, etc
Attorney General = Brother

6. The Kennedy clan poses for a family photo in 1960
The Kennedy clan poses for a family photo in From the left: Ethel, Steve Smith, Eunice, Rose, Jean, Joe, Jack, Jackie, Bobby, Ted, Patricia, Sargent Shriver, Joan, and Peter Lawford.

7. The New Frontier The Economy 1960: U.S. in recession - 6% unemployment
Pushes for deficit spending - stimulate growth
Foreign Policy – Flexible Response

8. The Promise of Progress
Addressing Poverty Abroad
Peace Corps: assist developing nations –success!!
Alliance for Progress: assistance to Latin America
deter spread of communism in Latin America

9. The Bay of Pigs Cuban exiles/CIA plan invasion – WHY? Plans go wrong!
topple Castro!!
Plans go wrong!
exile forces killed/taken prisoner
JFK pays ransom: food/medicine
RESULT: mission is public embarrassment

10. Participants in the Bay of Pigs invasion after their capture by the forces of Fidel Castro (1961).

13. A New Military Policy Defining a Military Strategy
JFK believes must redefine nation’s nuclear strategy
Flexible response—fight conventional wars, keep nuclear arms balanced
JFK increases defense spending in three areas:
strengthens conventional forces
creates army Special Forces (Green Berets)
triples nuclear capabilities

14. The New Frontier New Frontier: policies of Kennedy administration
Rough going!
Republican-Southern Democrat coalition
Lacks skill to get policies passed
lacks mandate: clear voter support for his agenda