From the New Frontier to the Great Society

1. From the New Frontier to the Great Society

2. Politics and the Election of 1960

3. KENNEDY’S “NEW FRONTIER” • 1960 Election • John F. Kennedy – hurdles • televised presidential debates

4. KENNEDY’S “NEW FRONTIER” Presidential Election of 1960

5. Kennedy’s Inauguration • Kennedy = the youngest & 1st Roman Catholic President • Kennedy states that America lies on the verge of a “New Frontier” • JFK declares that a generation tempered by war & a hard peace has arrived • To Latin America, JFK pledges an alliance for progress

6. Kennedy & “Camelot” President and Mrs. Kennedy, 20 January 1962, Washington, D.C.,  The Kennedy Family and Family Dogs, 14 August 1963, Hyannis Port, Massachusetts John F. Kennedy in oval office with son

7. Kennedy’s New Frontier A. Young People In Government i. Youngest president promised “to get the country moving again” ii.Assembled one of the youngest cabinets, including his 35 year old brother, Robert, as attorney general

8. Kennedy’s New Frontier Kennedy’s Characteristics and Appeal  Appealed to youth: • 1.      New Frontier • 2.      Peace Corps – program that sent volunteers abroad as educators, health workers, and technicians to help developing nations around the world.  

9. Kennedy’s New Frontier ii.      Summoned citizens to service with his call to “ask not what your country can do for you: ask what you can do for your country”

10.  Men On the Moon Promoted a multi-billion dollar project to land an American on the moon Answering critics, Kennedy said “But why, some say, the moon?  And they may well ask, why climb the highest mountain?  Why, 35-years ago, fly the Atlantic?...” After spending $24 billion, in 1969, two American astronauts landed on the moon (Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins)

11. It is looking like Civil War II --Trouble continued in Birmingham, AL The city is known for its strict enforcement of total segregation in public life & for its reputation for racial violence. -May 2, 1963 more than 1000 AA children march in Birmingham. 959 were arrested - May 3, 1963 a second “children’s crusade” came face-to-face w/police TV CAMERAS CAPTURED IT! HEARD CHILDREN SCREAMING

12. It is looking like Civil War II Front Page News Kennedy warned the Russians would exploit the “terrible” new photograph May 12, 1963 - Birmingham is nearing complete chaos!

13. Boldest Speech Ever “ We are confronted primarily with a moral issue...as old as the Scriptures and ...as clear as the American Constitution” “ If an American, because his skin is dark, cannot eat lunch in a restaurant...if he cannot vote...if he cannot send his children to the best public school...then who among us would be content to have the color of his skin changed and stand in his place?”

14. Kennedy’s Strategy Talks • Vice President Johnson, House Speaker Sam Rayburn, & Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield confer with JFK about new policies • Key legislative goals = Medicare for the elderly, higher minimum wage & assistance for education

15. Kennedy’s Campaign for Medicare • Basis of Medicare • Men 65 years & older & women 62 years & older can receive assistance • Also the disabled can receive help • Working people should start contributing now • Inspired by & eventually tied to the Social Security system

16. JFK has to carry the Southern States in election of 1964. They want a corrupt bargain like Hayes in 1876 to remove reconstruction/civil rights bill. • November 1963, assassin shot & killed JFK - LBJ pledges to carry on his work • July 2, 1964 – LBJ signs Civil Rights Act of 1964 • Prohibited discrimination b/c race, religion, national origin, gender • Gave all citizens the right to enter libraries, parks, washrooms, restaurants, theaters, all other public accommodations

17. KENNEDY’S “NEW FRONTIER” • Kennedy Assassination (Nov. 1963) • Lee Harvey Oswald • Warren Commission Report

18. Lee Harvey Oswald

19. LBJ Takes the Oath of Office

21. LBJ and Medicare • Medicare was eventually passed during the LBJ administration • It was first passed on July 30, 1965 • It served as an amendment to Social Security

22. JOHNSON’S GREAT SOCIETY • Lyndon B. Johnson • Election of 1964 • Senator Barry Goldwater Lyndon B. Johnson Lyndon Johnson’s campaign against Barry Goldwater, 1964

23. LBJ’s 1st Address to Congress: November 27, 1963 • Addresses Congress shortly after the death of JFK • Vows to continue JFK’s policies • Peace Corps • Space Program • Civil Rights • Commitment to West Berlin & South Vietnam • Asks for unity & cooperation in pursuing JFK’s goals • Pledges support for the United Nations • Urges the passage of the Civil Rights Bill

24. LBJ’s State of the Union Address (January 8, 1964) • LBJ wants to cut the deficit in ½ • Wants to reduce the size of the gov’t while maintaining the size of the military • LBJ pledges to assist the less fortunate • Declares war on poverty • Assistance to the inner cities & rural areas • Unemployment assistance & Job creation programs • Education Assistance • Tax Cuts to stimulate the economy • Modernization of schools, libraries, hospitals, & nursing homes

25. LBJ’s Remarks at the University of Michigan:(May 22, 1964) • Next Generation’s challenge = solve the problem of poverty • American need to build a “Great Society” • abundance and liberty for all • three places to build the Great Society • in our cities • in our countryside • in our classrooms

26. Johnson & the War on Poverty

27. The Great Society Medicare Medicaid community action Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) Head Start Food Stamps Elementary and Secondary Education Act 1965 Immigration Act of 1965 JOHNSON’S GREAT SOCIETY LBJ signing Medicare Bill, July 30, 1965

28. GUIDING QUESTION In what ways did the Great Society resemble the New Deal? • origins, • goals, and • social and political legacy?