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1960 ’ s. People, Trends and Events. Election of 1960. Republican: Richard Nixon Democrat: John F. Kennedy First televised debate Kennedy won by a very narrow margin; received many votes from women and blacks. John F. Kennedy. “ New Frontier ” Urged equal civil rights for all
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1960’s People, Trends and Events
Election of 1960 • Republican: Richard Nixon • Democrat: John F. Kennedy • First televised debate • Kennedy won by a very narrow margin; received many votes from women and blacks
John F. Kennedy • “New Frontier” • Urged equal civil rights for all • Minimum wage increase • Increased defense spending • Peace Corps was created to help poor nations
JFK and the New Frontier • Wanted medical care for the elderly • Pledged to put a man on the moon • Robert Kennedy, brother, was his Attorney General
“Space Race” • Much of the 60’s revolved around putting a man on the moon • The U.S. and the Soviet Union battle to be the first • July 20, 1969; the U.S. was the first to be successful; Apollo 11 • Neil Armstrong • “We came in peace for all mankind”.
Kennedy and the Cold War • Urged a tough stand against the Soviet Union • Wanted many options other than nuclear weapons-flexible response • Created the Army’s Special Forces • Berlin Wall built in 1961
Bay of Pigs Invasion • 1961 • Attempt to overthrow Communist Cuban leader Fidel Castro • Attempt was unsuccessful and Kennedy and the U.S. were very embarrassed
Cuban Missile Crisis • October, 1962 • Soviets had placed nuclear missiles in Cuba; pointed directly at the U.S. • Kennedy insisted the missiles be removed • Very tense confrontation; threat of nuclear war very real • The Soviet Union and Khrushchev agreed to removed the missiles after a 13 day stand-off
Kennedy Assassination • November 22, 1963 • Dallas, Texas • Kennedy wanted to improve relations with the Southern Democratic party • Lee Harvey Oswald was accused of killing Kennedy; many feel he did not do it or did not act alone
Continued • The nation mourned for several days • Oswald was killed on November 24, 1963 by Jack Ruby on live television • Many conspiracy theories still exist • Warren Commission ruled that Oswald was the lone assassin
Lyndon B. Johnson • Was sworn in on “Air Force One” after Kennedy’s death • Kennedy’s vice-president • Texas native • Very skillful legislator; could work well with Congress • Launched a “War on Poverty” • Re-elected in 1964
Johnson’s “Great Society” • Created Medicare and Medicaid • Funded public housing units • Lifted quotas on immigration • Wanted to ensure clean water(”Silent Spring”) and protect consumers • Many conservatives felt programs were too much
Supreme Court and Chief Justice Earl Warren • Promoted liberal policies • More concern for the accused • Gideon Vs. Wainwright -court provides a lawyer if the accused cannot afford one • Miranda Vs. Arizona -suspects have rights read to them upon arrest
The Vietnam War • U.S. advisors were first sent to Vietnam in the 1950’s • The Vietnamese defeated the French in 1954; the U.S. had aided France • North Vietnam fell under Communist rule • South Vietnam was a non-communist country; America supported South Vietnam • America was once again trying to contain communism
Vietnam Vocabulary • Ho Chi Minh: Communist leader of North Vietnam • Vietminh: communist group led by Ho Chi Minh • Geneva Accords: peace agreement that split Vietnam in 2 • Ngo Dinh Diem: Leader of South Vietnam; executed by Vietcong in 1963
Vietnam Vocabulary • Vietcong: communist rebel group in South Vietnam • Tonkin Gulf Resolution: Resolution that allowed President Johnson to fight in Vietnam • Napalm: gasoline-based explosive • Agent Orange: chemical that destroyed jungle land • Dove: American that called for withdrawal from Vietnam • Hawk: American who supported the war effort
Effects of the War • Lasted from 1964-1973 • Many men were drafted; 80 percent of American soldiers came from lower economic levels • Many “dodged” the draft; enrolled in college, joined the National Guard and Army Reserves, or some moved to Canada • Many protests; mostly on college campuses
TET Offensive • Turning point in Vietnam War • 1968 • Convinced many Americans that the war was not winnable
Effects Continued • Lyndon B. Johnson decided not to run for re-election in 1968 • Rep. Richard Nixon elected to office in 1969; promised to bring troops home from Vietnam • Brought a few home, but many remained until 1973 • War Powers Act created • Many Americans became distrustful of government
Effects Continued • 58,000 American soldiers killed; 365,000 wounded • Vietnam veterans were often mistreated; called “baby killers” • Over 1.5 million Vietnamese deaths • America pulled out in 1973 • South Vietnam “fell” to Communism in 1975 when the North overtook Saigon in S. Vietnam • America did not win the Vietnam War • Pentagon Papers later released during Nixon’s presidency; revealed cover-up’s
1960’s Lifestyles • The early 60’s was very similar to the 1950’s decade • By the mid 1960’s it was evident there were many social changes taking place • Civil and voting rights granted to all • The counterculture emerges • Women fight for equal rights • People speak out against the Vietnam War and the U.S. government
1960’s Television • Most Americans had televisions by the 1960’s • More than ever, Americans looked to the television for entertainment, news, hairstyles, music and fashion • The Vietnam War was known as “The Television War” (ex: “The Wonder Years”)
60’s Television • “Andy Griffith Show” • “Gilligan’s Island” • “Bewitched” • “I Dream of Jeanie” • “The Flintstones” • “Star Trek”
60’s Fashion • Bouffant hairstyles • Go-Go boots • Peasant skirts • Tie-Dye • Mini skirts • Blue Jeans • “Twiggy” was a very famous model of the 1960’s
60’s Music • 1964: The Beatles first appeared on the Ed Sullivan show • “Motown”; The Supremes, The Temptations, the Four Tops, etc. • British Invasion: many groups from England became very popular in America • The Rolling Stones The Beatles • The Who The Turtles • The Monkees The Byrds
Psychedelic/Acid Rock • Much of the heavier rock and roll was associated with drugs and rebellion • Reflected the turbulent times of the late 60’s • Jimi Hendrix • The Doors • Janis Joplin
The “Counter Culture” • “Hippies • Resisted mainstream culture • Started a “Back to the Earth” movement • Often protested the war and marched for peace
The “Counter Culture” • Promoted peace, love and concern for the environment; some referred to as “tree huggers” • Dr. Timothy Leary encouraged young people to “tune in, turn on and drop out” • Many later realized that in order to survive they had to work and return to mainstream culture
“Counter Culture” • Many experimented with drugs (LSD) • Lived in communes • Tie-Dye, blue jeans, peasant skirts were very popular • “Flower Children” • White, middle-class college students
Woodstock Music Festival • 1969 • Huge 3-day music festival held in upstate New York • More than 400,000 attended; far more than expected
Women’s Movement in the 60’s • Many women had participated in the Civil Rights Movement and anti-war protests; they decided to fight for equal pay and treatment in the workplace • Many pushed for ERA-Equal Rights Amendment-the amendment was passed by Congress; not ratified by the states
Women’s Movement • Feminism: the belief that women should have economic, political, and social equality • The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan; discussed the discontent many women were feeling during that time
Effects of the Women’s Movement • Many more women graduated from college; more law and medical school graduates especially • Women began starting careers more and working outside the home • Number of women holding political office increased • Opportunities for women in general increased
Cesar Chavez -Latino Civil Rights Activist -Started the National Farm Workers Association