The New Frontier & The Great society John F. Kennedy & Lyndon B. Johnson

The New Frontier and the Great Society President John F. Kennedy’s efforts to confront the Soviet Union and address social ills are cut short by his assassination. President Lyndon B. Johnson spearheads civil rights legislation and declares a “war on poverty.” Lyndon B. Johnson being sworn in as president of the United States after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Jacqueline Kennedy (right) witnesses the oath (November 22, 1963). NEXT

The New Frontier and the Great Society SECTION 1 SECTION 2 SECTION 3 Kennedy and the Cold War The New Frontier The Great Society NEXT

Kennedy and the Cold War Section 1 Kennedy and the Cold War The Kennedy administration faces some of the most dangerous Soviet confrontations in American history.

The Election of 1960 (HON) 1) Watch the opening statements of the first Presidential Debate of 1960. 2) Address the following questions by: first, thinking about and writing down your answer(s), and second, sharing and discussing those answer(s) with your group Questions: Whom do you feel presented themselves most knowledgeably, clearly and conclusively? Disregarding their appearance on television and considering only their discussion of their “platform”, whom do you think you would have voted for if you had been able to vote in the 1960 election, and why? Do you agree with the conclusions of some historians who say that Kennedy’s television appearance (compared to Nixon’s) was ultimately what swayed the American voting public in his favor? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbrcRKqLSRw NEXT

The Televised Debate Affects Votes Americans fear U.S. falling behind Soviets militarily John F. Kennedy discusses Catholicism openly, allays public worries First televised presidential debate between Kennedy, Richard Nixon Nixon is foreign policy expert; many describe Kennedy as “feckless” when it came to foreign policy Kennedy coached by TV producers; many believe he comes across better than Nixon Kennedy and Civil Rights JFK directly addresses civil rights and racial inequality directly in debates. Further, takes stand on arrest of Martin Luther King, Jr; wins black vote

The “Camelot” Years The Kennedy Mystique The Best and the Brightest Kennedy wins presidency in close election Critics argue his smooth style lacks substance Kennedy White House known as Camelot for its glamour, culture, wit First Lady admired for her elegance; constant articles about family The Best and the Brightest JFK’s advisers called “the best and the brightest” Brother Robert Kennedy named attorney general McGeorge Bundy (Dean of Harvard) – Nat’l Security Advisor Dean Rusk (President of Rockefeller Foundation) - Sec. of State Robert McNamara (President of Ford): Sec. of Defense NEXT

A New Military Policy Defining a Military Strategy • JFK believes must redefine nation’s nuclear strategy • Flexible response—fight conventional wars, keep nuclear arms balanced • JFK increases defense spending in three areas: - strengthens conventional forces - creates army Special Forces (Green Berets) - triples nuclear capabilities NEXT