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The Stormy Sixties. Ch. 38. Kennedy. A. Kennedy v. Nixon B. Profile 1. Young 2. Catholic 3. Democrat 4. Used TV to his benefit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QazmVHAO0os. The “New Frontier” Spirit. High expectations for youth New Frontier proposals
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The Stormy Sixties Ch. 38
Kennedy A. Kennedy v. Nixon B. Profile 1. Young 2. Catholic 3. Democrat 4. Used TV to his benefit • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QazmVHAO0os
The “New Frontier” Spirit • High expectations for youth • New Frontier proposals • Increased education, medical assistance for the aged (these get tied up in Congress until LBJ) • Negotiated a non-inflationary wage agreement in Steel Industry • Supported a tax cut bill (rather than stimulating the economy through government spending)
Kennedy advocated for space race “We will land a man on the moon” Apollo 11: July 20, 1969 – Neil Armstrong
Civil Rights Under Kennedy • 1961 – Thurgood Marshall – 1st black appointed to Supreme Court • May 1961: Freedom riders. • Promote racial equality in the South. • Martin Luther King, protest in Birmingham, Alabamaagainst segregation. • Police used firehouses to knock people down.
1963 Kennedy called for civil rights reform on TV - the principle at stake is “as old as the Scriptures and is as clear as the American Constitution” • 1963, March on Washington • Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream speech” • - 200,000 in attendance • - Same day: Bombing in Baptist Church in Birmingham leaves 4 girls killed
Berlin Wall • Construction begins in 1961 • Symbolizes the separation in Europe • Passes Trade Expansion Act, 1962 • Tariff cuts up to 50% to promote trading in Common Market Countries. Led to expansion of European-American trade.
Cuban Confrontations 1. U.S. wanted to remove Fidel Castro from power in Cuba. 2. Communist and ally with Soviet Union.
Bay of Pigs, 1961 1. Partnership between CIA and 1,200 Cuban exiles to assassinate Fidel Castro…Mission FAILS! 2. Consequence: Fidel’s relationship with Khrushchev and the Soviet Union grew stronger. 3. Kennedy accepts responsibility
Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962 • Closest call for nuclear war • Soviets deployed nuclear missiles to Cuba • U.S. blockades, stand off ensues
Small Thaw? • 1963, nuclear test ban treaty signed • Washington/Moscow “hotline” – communications in case of crisis • JFK speech, American University • Urged Americans to abandon demonized view of Soviets (origins of détente)
Kennedy Assassination 1963 assassinated in Dallas, Texas by Lee Harvey Oswald. 1. The nation and world is in shock and disbelief. 2. Johnson assumes the presidency.
Kennedy’s Contributions In his 3 years as president, Kennedy paved the way for the Civil Rights Movement. 1. Created the Peace Corp 2. Restored the economy 3. Kept us out of war with the USSR 4. Created idealism and inspiration for younger generation
Lyndon B. Johnson • Long political career • Ego and vain • Won re-election in 1964 against Barry Goldwater on the eve of the Tonkin Gulf episode • Legacy – civil rights reform • Political death - Vietnam
Under LBJ • Civil Rights Act 1964: Banned racial discrimination in public facilities • theatres • restaurants • EEOC: Equal Economic Opportunity Commission elimination of discrimination when hiring, including sexual. • 1965 – executive order requiring affirmative action in federal contracts • Tax Bill (Kennedy’s) goes through with proposals for “War on Poverty”
24thAmendment: banned poll taxes in federal elections. • “Freedom Summer” 1964 “We Shall Overcome” – voter registration drive (MS burning) • Martin Luther King Jr.: Voter registration drive with Stokley Carmichael. March to Montgomery: violence on TV. • 1965 Voter Registration Act- no more literacy tests.
Black Separatism • Malcolm X – black Islamic leader, preached separatism • Black Panthers – Oakland • Watts Riots, L.A. – 5 days after Voter Registration Act passes, police brutality
Watts riots: police brutality • Black Panthers: Oakland, CA • carrying weapons • Stokley Carmichael • Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated, April 14th, 1968.
Johnson’s Great Society WAR ON POVERTY: • Continuing Kennedy’s vision of giving the nation an opportunity to get back on their feet financially. • Aid in education • Medicare – medical aid for elderly • Medicaid – for poor • Immigration Act of 1965 –doubled amount to enter per year (290,000), threw out national origins quota, limited W. Europe (120,000) family clause • Project Head Start – for disadvantaged youth
Created Department of Housing and Urban Development & Dept. of Transportation • Appointed first black cabinet member, Robert Weaver
60’s Counterculture • Social revolutions • Minority rights • Free Speech Movement • Sexual revolution • Rejection of traditional values