Kennedy’s New Frontier

1. Kennedy’s New Frontier Ch 15.1

2. Tuesday, May 15, 2012 • Daily goal: • Understand the role religion and television played in the election of 1960. • Understand the significance of the Missile Gap and the New Frontier

5. The Modern Campaign • The election of 1960 was the first campaign in which both Democrats and Republicans spent heavily on Television advertising. • The first Presidential Debate was on TV.

6. Think About it… • How much does a candidate’s image affects their popularity?

7. Nikita Khrushchev • Soviet leader Khrushchev claimed the Soviet were producing ICBMs (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) “like sausages!” • Americans feared they were falling behind the Soviets.

9. The “Missile Gap” • Kennedy was concerned that America had fallen behind the Soviets in Missiles, so he expanded the Nuclear arsenal.

10. The first Catholic President • Many suspicious of JFK because he was Catholic and wondered how his faith would affect his decision making.

11. JFK Quote • “I am not the Catholic candidate for President. I am the Democratic Party’s nominee for President who happens to be a Catholic.” • “I believe in an America where the separation of Church and state is absolute.”

12. Think About it… • How much does a candidate’s religion influence whether or note you will support them?

13. The “New Frontier” • Kennedy’s set out his legislative agenda to increase aid to education, provide health care for the elderly and help migrant workers. • Congress defeated most of these programs.

14. Think About it… • Would you support passage of Kennedy’s New Frontier programs? Why or why not?