The Kennedy & Johnson Years (1960—1969) Chapter 34 PART 1 of 4 The Kennedy & Johnson Years (1960—1969)

Kennedy Defeats Nixon in 1960 Kennedy and the Cold War Kennedy Defeats Nixon in 1960 Main Idea: Televised debates played a large role in Kennedy winning the 1960 presidential election. Kennedy Launches New Cold War Strategies Main Idea: To fight the Cold War, Kennedy worked on building the nation’s military and establishing programs to help third world countries.

Confronting Communism in Cuba Kennedy and the Cold War Confronting Communism in Cuba Main Idea: A standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union occurred when the CIA discovered that the Soviet Union was building nuclear missile sites in Cuba. Ultimately, nuclear war was avoided. The Berlin Crisis Main Idea: Tension between Kennedy and Soviet leader Khrushchev over the division of Germany led to the construction of the Berlin Wall separating East and West Berlin. 3

Presidential Election of 1960 John F. Kennedy— Democratic candidate. Richard Nixon— Republican candidate. Television debate— Nixon looked tired; Kennedy had make-up. The election was a close margin. Kennedy won, but no mandate for change. Televised debates are now very important part of campaign.

The Presidential Election of 1960 CHART

John F. Kennedy 35th President 1961—1963 Party: Democratic Home State: Massachusetts Vice President: Lyndon B. Johnson

John F. Kennedy Foreign Domestic President during the “Bay of Pigs” offensive (1962). President during the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962). Domestic Youngest president ever voted into the Presidency (Age 43). Established the “New Frontier” domestic spending program. Only Roman-Catholic to be elected president. Assassinated in Dallas, Texas (November 22, 1963).

Kennedy’s Domestic Agenda Kennedy Administration— Energetic administration and portrayed as buoyant, energetic, and full of optimism. The New Frontier— The term used to describe Kennedy’s Domestic Programs: Space Program (Mercury and Apollo programs with NASA). Combat poverty. Improve education. Expand the economy (through tax cuts).

Kennedy’s Foreign Policy Kennedy’s presidency was filled with ambitious international programs and dangerous cold war crises. 1961 – Peace Corps Sends Volunteers around the world to help developing nations. JFK’s Foreign Policy Goals: Reduce risk of nuclear war. Encourage countries to ally themselves with the United States. 1961 – Alliance for Progress Provides money for economic development and social reform throughout Latin America. 1963 – Limited Test Ban Treaty United States and Soviet Union agree to ban all above ground nuclear testing.

Kennedy’s Foreign Policy Kennedy’s Presidency was defined by three foreign policy crises which almost resulted in a nuclear war: Bay of Pigs Invasion— A CIA-led force of Cuban exiles who attacked Cuba in the Bay of Pigs (April 17, 1961). Berlin Crisis— Issue sparked over the occupation of West Berlin by the United States, Britain, and France (June, 1961). Cuban Missile Crisis— Cuba’s invitation to the Soviet Union to place nuclear missiles in Cuba threatening the United States.

Bay of Pigs Invasion United States training of Cuban exiles opposed to Castro. On April 17, 1961, nearly 1,400 forces landed in Cuba and were quickly killed or captured. The invasion was a disaster, the United States was exposed for trying to overthrow Castro, and Kennedy appeared to lack leadership.

Berlin Crisis Nikita Khrushchev demanded that the United States get out of West Berlin. Instead, Kennedy increased military spending. Soviets built the Berlin Wall in 1961 to stop East Germans from coming to the West. Kennedy sent 1,500 soldiers to West Berlin.

Berlin Crisis