THE 1960’S

The Election of 1960• Kennedy vs. Nixon Kennedy- Democrat

Young senator from Boston Son of the wealthy Joseph Kennedy Catholic War hero

Nixon- Republican Eisenhower’s vice president Great politician Liberals don’t trust him Seen as a “red-baiter”

Nixon – Kennedy Debate

Election of 1960 Topics of the election

Kennedy’s Catholicism In Houston Kennedy deflects criticism

Kennedy seen as too young and not serious Debates give Kennedy’s image a boost

US in slight recession Democrats use recession to their advantage

Civil Rights Georgia judge sentences MLK to four months in prison JFK campaign contacts judge who releases MLK on

bail Assures large African American turnout

Election of 1960 One of the closest margins in history JFK wins popular vote by 118,000 JFK wins electoral majority of 303 to 219 JFK not seen as having a mandate

JFK’s time in office =“Camelot” 1/20/1961 – 11/22/1963 (only served

1,000 days) The new administration seen as young

and vibrant JFK appeals to the young to take “the

torch” being passed to them JFK White House seen as glamorous JFK a flawed character

Ike and JFK contrast

The New Frontier JFK want to finish the New Deal policies of

FDR Federal aid to Space program, education,

poor regions, health insurance, housing and higher min. wage

Not able to pass most policies Northern Rep. and Southern Dem. work together

to block programs Successes

Peace Corps Space Program- Must beat Russians –Go to Moon

Foreign Policy Containment with Flexible response

US will respond to threat but not automatically Massive retaliation

Missile Gap Dems campaigned on fear of USSR overtaking the US

in nuke strength, JFK spends heavily on the military The Bay of Pigs Berlin Crisis

JFK mishandling of Cuba leads USSR to challenge him E. Germany builds wall to stop escape to the west

The Cuban Missile Crisis

Assassination JFK goes to Dallas for $$ and to unify

Texas Democrats Dallas is seen as hostile to liberals UN ambassador Stevenson hit with a sign

and spat upon a month before assassination

President advised not to go, JFK goes anyway

Treason poster

Assassination continued Kennedy rides in an open limo where he

is shot from a building along the route Lyndon Baines Johnson sworn in as president

Lee Harvey Oswald is thought to be the killer and is arrested

2 days after his arrest he is killed by Jack Ruby

No trial for Oswald or motive found for JFK assassination

LBJ Sworn in

Lee Harvey Oswald

Jack Ruby Shooting Oswald

Conspiracies Warren Report declares Oswald acted

alone Conspiracy theories arise

Cubans killed JFK Soviets killed JFK The mob killed JFK The CIA killed JFK

Magic Bullet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBXjf8Jce10

PauseVideos in JFK assassination folder

LBJ Lyndon Johnson

Ran against JFK in 1960 for Democratic pres. Nomination

Skilled politician who worked both parties Famous for the “Johnson treatment”

“The Treatment”

“The Treatment”

The Great Society LBJ uses the assassination of JFK to push

through social programs May 22, 1964 Johnson outlines his vision for

a “Great Society” in speech LBJ believes that in a rich society no one

should be left behind or left out Addresses four areas of concern

Economic equality(War on Poverty) Environment Education Health and Welfare

Income equality Minimum Wage Bill – raises the minimum

wage from $1.25 an hour to $1.60 School Breakfast program – provides

breakfast to the needy Food Stamp Act – provides food

assistance to the poor to help improve diet

Revenue Act of 1964 – reduces income tax for poorer Americans

Social Security Amendment of 1964 – expands benefits

Environment Five areas of concern regarding the

environment Air and Water pollution Beautification of the urban environment Waste disposal Use of natural resources Preservation of wildlife, wilderness, natural

beauty and historical resources

Education programs Programs introduced by Johnson

Project Head Start – funds preschool programs for the poor

Higher Education Act – Supports college tuition scholarships, loans and work-study programs

Upward Bound – implement in poor high school students a desire to go to college

Adult Basic Education – Educate illiterate adults so they can earn better jobs

Job Creation Job Corps – gives job training to high

school dropouts Neighborhood Youth Corps – aimed to

help low wage employees improve their education

The Work Experience Program – on the job training for people on welfare

Health Medicare – comprehensive health

insurance to the elderly through social security

Medicaid – provides health and medical assistance to low-income families

Legacy of the Great Society

Many programs are successful while some brought mixed results

Backlash over cost and waste Vietnam War ends up taking all of LBJ’s

attention and time and hijacks the aims of the Great Society

Role of federal government in the daily lives of Americans is expanded