The New Frontier

Young- 43 years old Roman Catholic WWII Veteran From Massachusetts Campaigned hard against the sluggish economy of the early 1960s People questioned whether he had enough experience to be President

WWII Veteran Mentally prepared Lots of campaign experience Vice President Former senator and congressman Reputations built on anti-communism Remember Alger Hiss?

Exhausted Lots of campaigning Recent knee injury Not telegenic Looked sweaty and nervous on TV when compared to a well- rested, telegenic, make- up wearing John Kennedy

Marked the beginning of television as a major influence on political campaigns TV viewers thought Kennedy won the debate Radio listeners thought Nixon won the debate

Kennedy won the election by a very narrow margin Popular vote was 34,226,731 to 34,108,157 He likely had the mafia in Illinois to thank for his victory

A clear public endorsement Usually signaled by a big win in an election Kennedy did not have one

Without a mandate, Kennedy had difficulty pushing his more controversial measures through Congress

Improving the economy Assisting the poor and disadvantaged Environmental issues Advancing the space program

Improved surplus food to unemployed Americans Largest defense buildup in peacetime history Help to communities plagued by long- term unemployment Extension of Social Security benefits Expansion of National Park System Doubling of federal resources combating water pollution Construction of the world’s largest nuclear power plant Tightening of food and drug laws Encouragement of free trade Signing of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Changes in the welfare system Creation of first federal program to address juvenile delinquency Although Kennedy served a shortened presidency, he was able to initiate a variety of programs, including: 1

The name given to Kennedy’s legislative and executive agenda.

Successes The space program Passage of the 24 th Amendment Housing Act of 1961 Failures Stock market decline Inability to push through education, medical care, or tax- cutting plans

It forced the United States to remain technologically competitive with the Soviet Union Allowed the U.S. to determine how space would be used in the times ahead Renewed America’s pioneer spirit

November 22,1963 Kennedy in Dallas to try to win the support of Texas Democrats Rode through streets of Dallas in open air limo Kennedy shot twice Lyndon Johnson become President

Investigated the assassination of the President Led by Chief Justice Earl Warren Determined that Kennedy was killed by Lee Harvey Oswald Said he acted alone Controversial to this day

Killed before he could stand trial Happened while he was being transferred from one jail to another Killed by Jack Ruby, a Dallas nightclub owner Happened on live TV