Welcome to the 60’s- Election of 1960o Kennedy vs. Nixono Nixon Congressional time VP Republican Experience in international affairs. Kitchen debateo Kennedy Pedigree for politics War Hero. WWII served in the Navy as a commander Democratico First televised presidential debate. Kennedy knew how to harness this new form of media. Nixon looked washed out and sick because he wouldn’t wear make up. Body language was fidgety and not as trustworthy. Kennedy knew how to handle himself on tv People who listened to the debate though Nixon won, but the people who watched Kennedy created the turning point for thiselectiono Kennedy wins, but not by much- Kennedy and the Cold Waro Camelot (Kennedy Whitehouse) o US Army Special Forces Designed to be inserted behind soviet lines or in a country where communist forces are present, gather up guerrilla forces,train them and prepare them to attack New way to destabilize countries JFK Special Forces Centero Flexible Response to the Cold War Direct defense- If the soviets or communists attack us, we are not going to launch, we are going to figure out how to defend ourselves. If things get worse we will up the ante Deliberate escalation- Escalate by using tactical nuclear weapons General nuclear response- If things continue to go poorly, we end in destruction Plan was designed to meet the Soviets wherever they were going to strike. Not just western Europe but Vietnam or Korea o Created the Peace Corps Used to combat communism- The Bay of Pigs, April 1961o 1959: Communist attempts in Cuba are finally successfulo Attempted invasion of Cuba Cubans, Soviets, and even newspapers knew when this was supposed to happen. 3 or 4-day battle. Natives did not rally around the exiled troops.Failed miserably This secures communist government in power. They get major aid from the Soviet army until it falls in the 90’s o CIA run operationo Eisenhower approvedo Kennedy executed Not willing to let US armed forces get involvedo Made Kennedy look weak and a bad president. No one knew it was Eisenhower’s problem- Berlin Wall, August 1961o 1955: closed all other borders to eastern Germany except Berlino There is a brain drain from East Germany All the smart people are leaving. Going to East Berlin, then to West Berlin, then to western Germanyo Berlin was the only outleto 20% of the Eastern German population has escapedo Soviets approved the construction of a wall between East and West Berlin Super tense, they were breaking treaty. Thought we might go towar over this situation Another embarrassment for Kennedy’s administration- Cuban Missile Crisis, October 1962o Medium range ballistic missiles Have a range of about a thousand miles Actually had the capability to fire missiles at uso Naval quarantine Cant blockade Cuba because it is an act of war Calls for a ‘quarantine’ Robert Kennedy, Attorney General, engages in secret talks to the Soviets. It works and the Soviets back downo Missiles in Turkey? We agree to remove the missiles from Turkey if you remove themissiles from Cuba and promise us that you’ll never put missiles in the western hemisphereo End result Soviet King is run out of power, more or less from embarrassment A key moment where President Kennedy comes out on top- Kennedy at homeo “New Frontier” Educational improvements- School lunch programs and school library programs- Increased access to education for the population Social support- Social safety net- Expand unemployment assistance- Establishment of a lot of mental health hospitals Economic stimulation- Minimum wageo Rise in minimum wage. If people are going to be getting more, then they will spend more- Cutting taxeso Does not cut the corporate tax At least 2/3rds of the legislation is actually enactedo Civil rights were not effective Big advocate for getting a civil rights act passed but it didn’t- LBJ Comes to Officeo Kennedy is assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963o Lyndon B. Johnson comes to office Texas teacher and Congressman- Served in the Navy in WWII, kinda. Got a silver star (third highest award) on a ship where no one else got anything. Probably because he was a sitting Congressman at the time Was there to balance the ticket- Because he appealed to the South. Democrat Very ambitious and somewhat controlling- As seen in the Vietnam war- LBJ’s prioritieso Main focus was American home fronto The great society Medicare “socialized medicine”- Designed to take care of seniors who retire. Governmentfunded medical coverage Medicaid- Designed for people below the poverty line, particularly kids- Not as popular. Seen as a handout Education- Higher education act of 1965o Beginning of the federal student loan plano Head start program: puts preschool/kindergarten schools in poor areas War on poverty- Food stamp act 1964o This was a permanent program and expands the eligibility. Provides vouchers to those under the poverty line to help pay for food- Civil rights movemento Birmingham Campaign, 1963-1964 Letter form Birmingham Jailo March on Washington, Aug. ‘63o Civil Rights Act, 1964o Voting Rights Act, 1965 Ends things like poll taxes, literacy tests, anything that bars people from voting. Gives the justice department reign over who draws the legislative voting
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