The New frontier and the great society

1. The New frontier and the great society Kennedy and the cold war

2. In what ways did kennedy’s election as president suggest change? • Kennedy was 1st president born in 20th century • Kennedy presented new ideas, a new vision • Sharp contrast to Nixon, who was seen as being tied to Eisenhower and the old administration • Kennedy appealed to dis-advantaged Americans • Became the youngest and 1st Catholic elected

3. What issues did kennedy’s 1960 election platform focus on? • Cold War fears – Kennedy claimed that Soviets had bypassed us in nuclear missiles • Attention to the poor – “Seventeen million Americans go to bed hungry at night” • The “New Frontier” – “There are new frontiers for Americans to conquer, not frontiers on a map, but frontiers of the mind, the will, and the spirit of man”

4. What divisions within our country were revealed during the 1960 election? • Strong regional differences – especially in the South • Religious divisions – Kennedy being a Catholic • Racial divisions – Kennedy was seen as being more in tune with concerns of African Americans

5. Why did the bay of pigs invasion take place, and with what results? • There was concern over Fidel Castro’s leadership of Cuba and his communist ties to the Soviets • Eisenhower had approved of the CIA planning an invasion of Cuba and attempted overthrow of Castro by Cuban exiles • Invasion was a complete, utter disaster • No air support; natives did not rally to the cause as was planned

6. Why did eisenhower allow the cia to plan an invasion even though he doubted how effective it would be? • Ike knew he would be out of office before an invasion was ready • He wanted to keep all options open, and the next president could decide whether to approve the invasion

7. Why did the bay of pigs invasion fail? • Press leaks – the New York Times reported it a week before it happened • Well prepared Cuban troops • U.S. underestimated Castro’s support

8. why did the berlin crisis develop, and what was its outcome? • Khrushchev was bothered that West Berlin was a beacon of freedom surrounded by communist East Germany; wanted U.S. to withdraw from West Berlin • Khrushchev wanted U.S. to recognize communist East Germany as an independent nation • Instead, Kennedy sent more troops into West Berlin • Soviets responded by building the Berlin Wall

9. Why did khrushchev think kennedy was a weak president? • Kennedy’s failure to intervene in Cuba during the Bay of Pigs invasion

10. What demands were made by khrushchev at the vienna conference? • That the U.S. withdraw from West Berlin and recognize East Germany as an independent nation

11. How did the berlin wall come to represent the struggle between communism and democracy? • It separated Eastern Europe from the West • On one side of the wall was a communist, dictatorial regime; on the other – free democracy • The Berlin Wall divided a city, just as the ideology it represented divided the world

12. What caused the cuban missile crisis, and how was war avoided? • Cold War military buildup; U.S. had offensive nuclear missiles in Turkey, on Soviets’ southwestern border • Soviets in response decided to place anti-aircraft missiles and nuclear missiles in Cuba • U.S. spy planes spotted the nuclear weapons, which Khrushchev had denied • U.S. decided on a naval blockade • October 24, 1962, as ships carrying nuclear parts neared the blockade, Soviets turned back • Removal of missiles in exchange for U.S. promise not to invade Cuba

13. What u.s. actions alarmed the soviet union? • U.S. had place nuclear missiles in Turkey • Anti-Castro activities in U.S. • Many Americans were calling for an invasion of Cuba

14. How did khrushchev react to u.S. actions? • Put surface-to-air missiles (SAMS) and nuclear missiles in Cuba

15. Why was the blockade considered the best choice for ending the crisis? • An air strike would have been a direct act of war by the U.S. • Khrushchev had declared that an attack by the U.S. would mean war • A blockade would give the Soviets time and opportunity to remove the missiles • This would avoid escalation and possible war

16. How did kennedy’s foreign policy reflect his view of the world? • Kennedy believed that common links united all people • Believed the U.S. should work worldwide to help others • Speech at American University in 1963: • “What kind of peace do we seek? Not a peace enforced on the world by American weapons of war…not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women…For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal”

17. What was the purpose of the peace corps? • It was a program to help poorer nations • Trained and sent educators, health care workers, agricultural advisors to help in Africa, Asia, and Latin America • Most volunteers were young college graduates • Increased goodwill toward the U.S. throughout the world

18. What was Kennedy’s New frontier? • Name given to Kennedy’s plan to change the nation • However, most Americans in 1960 were not reform-minded • JFK faced opposition in Congress • Narrow victory did not give him a clear mandate

19. Why was jacquelinekennedy so popular? • Young, beautiful, refined • Mother of two children • She had a strong interest in the arts • People liked seeing a “young family” in the White House

20. How did jfk deal with steel companies who refused to roll back steep price increases • Cancelled their government contracts • Waged a media campaign against them • Steel companies soon gave in to president’s pressure and lowered prices

21. how did the space race become part of the cold war? • Soviets had the lead in space – orbited a man around the moon a year before U.S. did – Soviets claimed this showed the superiority of communism • Embarrassment of Bay of Pigs • Kennedy – “Is there any place where we can catch them?” • U.S. needed to catch up - Cold War grew from rivalry of military weapons into the Space Race

22. in what ways did the warren court change society in the early 1960’s? • Earl Warren – Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 1953 • Major advances in civil rights • Extended individual rights and freedom • Most historians consider him second only to John Marshall as most important chief justice

23. What was the outcome of brown vs. board of education? • 1954 – one of the most significant civil rights cases • Banned racial segregation in the nation’s schools • (Will talk more about this and other cases next week)

24. in escobedo vs. illinois, what legal right was granted to individuals? • Right to have lawyer present when being questioned by police

25. How did the Warren court define the religious guarantees of the 1st amendment? • Engel vs. Vitale (1962) – court banned formal prayers and Bible readings in public schools to ensure government did not establish an “official” religion

26. What impact did kennedy’s assassination have on the nation and the world? • Shock and sadness – the saying goes “everyone remembers where they were when they heard Kennedy had been shot” • Deeply affected all Americans – even those who hadn’t liked him • Led to concerted efforts by President Johnson to carry out Kennedy’s domestic plan

27. Who shot president kennedy? • November 22, 1963 • Lee Harvey Oswald • Troubled loner – had ties to both Cuba and the Soviet Union • Had actually lived in the Soviet Union for a time • We will never know what caused Oswald to do what he did – we can only speculate; two days he was killed by Jack Ruby

28. did the warren commission resolve the questions surrounding jfk’s assassination? • For some, yes – they said that Oswald acted alone • For others, no – the questions about conspiracy remain

29. Why might some people believe that jfk’s assassination was the result of a conspiracy? • The full details of Kennedy’s murder died with Oswald • The fact that he was killed two days later – speaks to a cover-up • People want full, detailed, clear answers on things; when they don’t get them, they speculate • Oswald’s connections to Cuba and the Soviet Union • Ruby’s ties to the mob

30. Why was lyndonjohnson’s background good preparation for becoming president? • Johnson had been Senate majority leader before becoming vice-president • Had great political skills • Good relationships in the Senate • Strong support from the South (one of the reasons Kennedy chose him)

31. In addition to his political skills, what other strengths did johnson bring to the presidency? • Tenacity, determination, compassion • Despite his gruff nature (ranching background from Texas), Johnson truly had a want to help people • Strong ability to persuade – big man

32. Why was johnson more successful than kennedy in getting congress to enact kennedy’s agenda? • He had been Senate majority leader – he had close ties to members of Congress • Speaking to joint session of Congress – • “Let us here highly resolve that John Fitzgerald Kennedy did not live – or die – in vain” • Nation wanted to honor President Kennedy

33. What were the effects of the tax reduction act of 1964? • Economy grew • Unemployment declined • Tax revenue actually increased (more people were paying taxes)

34. In what ways did johnson’s great society change the nation? • “We have the opportunity to move not only toward the rich society and the powerful society, but upward to the Great Society. The Great Society rests on abundance for all. It demands an end to poverty and racial injustice…. • Lyndon Johnson May 1964 • Passed civil rights • Education reform • Environmental laws • Medicaid, Medicare

35. What was the elementary and secondary school act? • Act passed by congress in 1965 • It was the first large-scale program of government aid to public schools

36. Why did johnson focus on providing government aid to public schools? • He had a personal interest in trying to provide education for the children of the poor • Johnson himself had started his professional life as a school teacher

37. Which program do you think was more significant – medicare or head start? Why? • Medicare – provided health care program for people over 65 – life necessity • Head Start – it gave children from poor families a better education, which gave them a better chance in life

38. What foreign policy issues were important in johnson’s presidency? • Vietnam War – came to dominate his presidency • Preventing spread of communism • Improving relations with the Soviet Union • Pueblo incident – U.S. Navy spy ship that was captured off the coast of communist North Korea