THE KENNEDY YEARS1961-1963

The New Frontier: Dreams and Promises

Foreign Policy and Cold War crises

Bay of Pigs Invasion

Video

Bay of Pigs Invasion

Fidel Castro had overthrown the corrupt Cuban Dictator and created ties with the Soviet Union

Communism was now too close for comfort (90 miles away)

President Eisenhower had authorized the CIA to secretly train and arm Cuban exiles (La Brigada) to invade

Bay of Pigs Invasion, cont. April 17, 1961, 1,400 Cuban exiles

landed at the Bay of Pigs on t he south coast of Cuba

Failure: La Brigada’s boats hit coral reefs, Kennedy called off air support to keep U.S. involvement a secret, and the uprising of the Cuban people never happened

Vienna Summit / Berlin Wall Kruschev built a wall through Berlin,

blocking movement between the Soviet Sector and the rest of the area.

Visible symbol of the Cold War division between East and West.

Cuban Missile Crisis

Activity

Latin America The Alliance for Progress

Renew Diplomatic Focus Governments were often in the hands of

the wealthy, many citizens lived in extreme poverty

Alliance for Progress: As series of cooperative aid projects with Latin American governments. Create a “Free and Prosperous Latin America”

Over 10 years, the U.S. pledged $20 billion to help Latin American countries

Results were mixed Chile, Colombia, and Venezuela

promoted real reform Governing rulers sometimes used the

money to keep themselves in power.

Peace Corps

Helping less developed nations fight poverty.

Sent young Americans to perform humanitarian services.

Volunteers spent 2 years in countries that requested assistance.

One of Kennedy’s greatest legacies

Currently: 8,073 members Total Number of Countries Served: 139 Total Number of Volunteers to date: 210,000+

Launching the Race to the Moon

Space Race Dominance at home: competition Kennedy wanted to be the first humans

to reach the moon.

“this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon.”

Eventually happened in July of 1969

Nuclear Test Ban Treaty 1963 Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Prevent other countries from obtaining

nuclear weapons Banned testing in the atmosphere,

space, and underwater

Hot Line Established

Creation of a direct communication link between U.S. and Soviet heads of state for use in “time of emergency”

Connection by transatlantic cable and radio telegraph circuits

Was used in 1967 during the Arab-Israeli War and again in 1973.

Movement for the Rights of Disabled Citizens

Historic Background

Article

Litigation and Legislation

Legislation

Education of the Handicapped Act, 1966 Education for All Handicapped Children

Act, 1971 Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990

Senator Kennedy

JFK Assassination November 22, 1963 – Dallas, TX

"He didn't even have the satisfaction of being killed for civil rights . . . . It's — it had to be some silly little Communist." — Jackie Kennedy, on hearing that a leftist had been arrested for her husband's murder.

In preparation for the next campaign, Kennedy and his advisers were busy campaigning in Texas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU83R7rpXQY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBXjf8Jce10