The Cold War: 1960’s Version

1. The Cold War: 1960’s Version

2. A. The Election of 1960

3. Richard Nixon (Rep) Vice President “Kitchen Debates” John F. Kennedy (Dem) Called on a “New Frontier” Problem: Catholicism The NomineesBoth born in the 20th century!

4. The Debates • A series of 4 debates • 1st time debates aired on television • Kennedy took the lead because of appearance

5. The Results • Kennedy barely won – 0.1% victory • IL & TX were contested states • Nixon refused to call for a recount – it would cause a “Constitutional Crisis”

6. Kennedy’s Inauguration "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do foryour country."

7. B. Flexible Response

8. Eisenhower’s New Look Program • Ike concentrated on the buildup of nuclear weapons • Cut government spending on more conventional (non-nuclear) weapons • Part of “Massive Retaliation”

9. Flexible Response • Felt the “New Look” limited the U.S. • Wanted to be able to respond without resorting to nuclear weapons • Increased spending on conventional armed forces • Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)

10. C. Bay of Pigs (1961)

11. Bay of Pigs – April 15-21, 1961 • Planned by Eisenhower • Kennedy approved • 1400 CIA trained Cuban Exiles invaded Cuba to overthrow Castro • Most either captured or killed by Castro • Huge embarrassment for Kennedy • Cuba now wary of the U.S.

12. Giron. First defeat of (the) Yankee Imperialism in Latin America.

13. D. Operation Mongoose

14. The Plot (a.k.a. The Cuban Project) • CIA planned attack to sabotage Castro • Either to overthrow and/or kill him • Kennedy approved • Ultimately unsuccessful

15. E. The Peace Corps

16. Est. in 1961 Sent volunteers to 3rd world nations Alternative to military containment One of Kennedy’s most popular and lasting program Since 1961, over 187,000 have served

17. F. Alliance for Progress

18. “Latin American Marshall Plan” • Created in 1961 • Provided $20 billion to Latin America • Goal was to contain Cuban communist threat • Close the gap between rich and poor • Ultimately failed • Too few Latin American govts helped • Too few dollars ($10/Latin American) • After Kennedy, no presidential support

19. G. The Berlin Wall

20. Constructed in August 1961 to stop the flee of Berliners from East to West • Feared there was a “Brain Drain”

21. Kennedy’s Visit • Visited June 1963 • Speech given criticizing communism • Used Wall as an example of its failures • “Ich bin ein Berliner" “Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in."

23. H. Cuban Missile Crisis

24. October 14, 1962 – American U-2 plane spied missiles in Cuba

26. Kennedy alerted on Oct 16 – begins 13 days where the U.S. feared a nuclear war would begin

27. October 22 - Kennedy decided to blockade Cuba from the Soviet Union to avert war

28. End of the Crisis • October 26 – Khrushchev stated the missiles would be removed if the U.S. would not invade Cuba, end blockade, & remove missile from Turkey • Oct 28, Kennedy agrees but only publicly agrees to first two conditions • War was averted, but changed Kennedy’s attitude toward the Cold War

29. Establishment of the Hotline • Direct phone line from Washington to Moscow • 24 hour access to avert crisis • First used in 1967

30. I. Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

31. Banned atmospheric testing of nuclear testing • Developed to slow the arms race and stop the excessive rate of nuclear fall out in the atmosphere