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JFK's Cold War Strategies: Crisis, Decisions, & Triumphs

Explore how Kennedy navigated Cold War challenges - debates, policies, Cuban Missile Crisis - & made impactful decisions.

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JFK's Cold War Strategies: Crisis, Decisions, & Triumphs

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  1. Kennedy & the Cold War Chapter 15 Section 1

  2. Lecture Focus Question • How did Kennedy respond to the continuing challenges of the Cold War?

  3. Richard Nixon Republican nominee Supported fight against communism Energetic & passionate VP for Eisenhower Came from a working family in Yorba Linda, CA John F. Kennedy Democratic nominee Supported fight against communism Energetic & passionate Attended Harvard Came from a wealthy family in Boston, MA Election of 1960

  4. Nixon Underweight Clothes too big Pale & tired “Easy Shave” melting in heat of lights Spoke to JFK JFK Rested & tanned Newly tailored suit Spoke to cameras, audience of voters! Televised Debate

  5. Kennedy Wins • Key factor → televised debates

  6. JFK’s New Cold War Strategies • JFK = 1stpres born in 20th century • “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country” • Flexible response: defense policy that prepared the U.S. to fight in any size/type of conflict

  7. JFK’s New Cold War Strategies Cont. • Peace Corps: sent U.S. volunteers around the world to provide technical, education, health services to developing countries • Alliance for Progress: promoted economic assistance to Latin America

  8. 1959: Fidel Castro comes to power in Cuba Strong ties to U.S.S.R. 1961: Bay of Pigs Invasion U.S. plan to overthrow Castro Total disaster U.S. accepts defeat and loses respect from other countries Communism in Cuba

  9. The Berlin Crisis • 1961: JFK and Krushchev meet → peace treaty? • Berlin becomes center of discussion • Meeting = disaster • JFK takes action • Doubled number of men drafted into army • Increased spending for defense • American people prepared: fallout shelters • 1961: Soviets build the Berlin Wall to divide E & W Berlin

  10. BERLIN WALL

  11. Cuban Missile Crisis • U.S. intelligence discovery: • Soviets building missile bases in Cuba! • Cuba = 90 miles from Key West, FL • 4 possible responses • Negotiate with the Soviets • Invade Cuba • Blockade Cuba • Bomb the missile sites

  12. The Loneliest Job in the World

  13. The Ultimate Decision • JFK decides on a naval “quarantine” • “Blockade” would be an act of war • He told Americans: “The path we have chosen for the present is full of hazards… The cost of freedom is always high -- and Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender.”

  14. Disaster Averted

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