The Kennedy Years

1. The Kennedy Years How does America change during “Camelot”?

2. The Television Election • Eisenhower warns US public of power of military-industrial complex • 1960 election: VP Richard Nixon vs. Sen. John F. Kennedy (issues: Nixon experienced vs JFK not experienced & Catholic) • First debate, radio listeners think Nixon won, TV viewers say Kennedy won • Kennedy defeats Nixon in nation’s closest election http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1960

3. The Camelot Years • Kennedy inauguration “ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for you country” • First family captivate the nation, modern day Camelot (royalty) • Kennedy surrounds himself bright-minded cabinet but relies most on his brother Bobby who is Attorney General

4. The New Frontier • Domestically, JFK wants to stimulate stagnant economy • Gets Congress to lower taxes + hike min. wage = low unemployment Peace Corps • JFK starts volunteer program, young people sign up & travel to Asia, Africa, Lat. America to assist people Race to the Moon • After Soviets put first man into space, JFK challenges the nation saying we need to put a man on the moon by end of 60s

5. Bay of Pigs Invasion • Bay of Pigs invasion fails. JFK won’t use US military to help • Communist Fidel Castro takes over Cuba, JFK okays an Eisenhower Admin planned invasion of Cuba (CIA trains Cuban exiles) Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) • Cuba asks Soviets for defensive help • Soviets offer nuclear missiles in Cuba, U2 spy planes photograph sites • JFK demands all missiles be removed. US begins to blockade Cuba • However, JFK and Khrushchev cut a deal to avoid a nuclear war

6. Cuban Missile Crisis Political Cartoon 1. Describe people, object and actions taking place in the cartoon. 2. Explain the symbols in the cartoon. 3. Explain the message of the cartoon.

7. Flexible Response • JFK dumps MAD policy in favor of Flexible Response (US will use different responses to communists threats not just nuclear) Berlin Wall • Khrushchev tells E. Germans to build a wall to stop defections • JFK sees wall as Soviets isolating W. Berlin, says we won’t let Communists knock us out of Berlin • Showdown between two leaders leads to estb. of “Hot Line”

8. Kennedy & Civil Rights • 1960: MLK & 33 others “sit-in” at Atlanta lunch counter, King gets 1 month hard labor, JFK asks Bobby to get judge to release MLK • 1962: James Meredith wants to enroll at Ole Miss. Gov Ross Barnett refuses to let him register • JFK sends in federal troops to allow Meredith into school • 1963: JFK sends in federal troops to force Alabama Gov George Wallace to desegregate schools • 1963: JFK gives speech urging Congress to pass Civil Rights Act

9. More “Advisors” in Vietnam • Southern communists form Vietcong who will use guerilla warfare to fight Diem govt & US advisors • North Vietnam begins aiding Vietcong thru a network of secret paths called the Ho Chi Minh Trail. • JFK sends more advisors to SV but Diem’s popularity is plummeting • Monks protest Diem’s govt, Americans can’t believe their eyes • JFK authorizes CIA sponsored coup against Diem, Diem killed in Coup – Kennedy expressing doubts about US role in Vietnam

10. Tragedy in Dallas • Nov 22nd, 1963: JFK campaigning for reelection in Dallas, TX • After passing the Texas School Book Depository, shots are fired • Police charge a man named Lee Harvey Oswald with the crime • Oswald claims he is a “patsy”. Next AM Oswald is shot a man w/ mafia connections named Jack Ruby • Lots of questions about assassination – many say they heard shots from grassy knoll in front of motorcade (JFK head goes back & to left) • Warren Commission concludes Oswald acted alone