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Camelot and Cold War Elections: JFK vs. Nixon

Dive into the dramatic 1960 Cold War election between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. From the first televised debate to the tense Cuban Missile Crisis, explore key events, including the failed Bay of Pigs invasion and Kennedy's stylish impact. Witness how the young Kennedy's victory ushered in a new era amidst a country grappling with economic woes and Cold War tensions.

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Camelot and Cold War Elections: JFK vs. Nixon

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  1. Camelot and the Cold War

  2. Election of 1960 • I liked Ike • Country in economic recession, losing Cold War (Korea, Sputnik, U-2, Cuba aligns with USSR) • Country in a funk • Your opponents…

  3. In this corner… • Wearing the long face (and nose) • Richard Milhous Nixon • Vice President • Former Governor of California • Commie hunter Nixon Nose

  4. And in this corner… • Wearing the young, good looking face • John Fitzgerald Kennedy • Senator (Massachusetts) • War Hero • Catholic • A chance at a new America (New Frontier)

  5. The Television Election • First televised debate • On radio Nixon wins • On television Kennedy cleans up • Nixon unshaven, sweaty • Kennedy stylish, groomed by television experts (style over substance?) • Kennedy wins election (by fewer than 120,000 votes)

  6. Camelot • Mythical place – Ideal • Kennedy’s invite artists, celebrities, athletes to the White House • Kennedy’s become trend setters • Soon Camelot would need to show its military might

  7. Cuba • 1950’s • US supports government led by Fulgencio Batista • Fidel Castro • Leads successful communist revolution (1959) • U.S. recognizes new government until Castro communizes • US places embargo (stops trading) on Cuba • Cuba looks to USSR for aid

  8. Bay of Pigs invasion • 1960 – JFK approves CIA attempt to overthrow Castro • Bad intelligence • Attempt was a failure • Humiliating for U.S. • Kennedy takes blame – endears him to public

  9. Cuban Missile Crisis • Bay of Pigs invasion convinces Khrushchev (Russian Dictator) that U.S. can’t compete with USSR • US spy plane discovers missile sites • Becomes threat to US (too close) • October 22, Kennedy informs America

  10. Cuban Missile Crisis • JFK sends blockade to Cuba (won’t allow Russian ships into Cuba) • US troops mobilize in Florida – ready for WWIII (nuclear war) • 13 day stand off • Khrushchev backs off after US promises not to invade Cuba • “We are eyeball to eyeball, and the other fellow just blinked.”

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