Chapter 21: The Kennedy and Johnson Years By: Katy Zerbe and Sherry Seamands

The New Frontier Kennedy instilled Americans with renewed idealism Kennedy instilled Americans with renewed idealism The New Frontier became the label for Kennedy’s vision of progress at home The New Frontier became the label for Kennedy’s vision of progress at home It was not an organized set of legislative initiatives like Roosevelt’s New Deal It was not an organized set of legislative initiatives like Roosevelt’s New Deal Kennedy reacted to events such as civil rights disturbances, instead of blazing new trails Kennedy reacted to events such as civil rights disturbances, instead of blazing new trails

The Kennedy Aura The Kennedy image captivated the media The Kennedy image captivated the media It was said that Kennedy and his wife were the most attractive people to have lived in the white house It was said that Kennedy and his wife were the most attractive people to have lived in the white house That urged publicists, magazines, networks, and photographers That urged publicists, magazines, networks, and photographers Many considered JFK a hero, and others distrusted him Many considered JFK a hero, and others distrusted him

Kennedy’s Working Style One journalist noted that Kennedy’s team was “the best and the brightest” One journalist noted that Kennedy’s team was “the best and the brightest” Most were educated at top Eastern schools Most were educated at top Eastern schools Kennedy and his team were trying to strengthen public programs Kennedy and his team were trying to strengthen public programs His interests were centered on foreign policy; the cold war and the containment of communism His interests were centered on foreign policy; the cold war and the containment of communism

In August 1961, Communists built a wall between East Berlin and West Berlin to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the west In August 1961, Communists built a wall between East Berlin and West Berlin to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the west Kennedy saw himself as more as a pragmatist (someone interested in practical solutions to problems than as a liberal) Kennedy saw himself as more as a pragmatist (someone interested in practical solutions to problems than as a liberal) He said most of the nation’s problems were technical and administrative He said most of the nation’s problems were technical and administrative

The Space Race During the early 1960’s, a nation’s accomplishments in space became a test of leadership in technology and defense During the early 1960’s, a nation’s accomplishments in space became a test of leadership in technology and defense In May 1961, Kennedy asked Congress for a commitment to the goal of “landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth” before 1970 In May 1961, Kennedy asked Congress for a commitment to the goal of “landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth” before 1970 NASA developed a three step program to put Americans in space NASA developed a three step program to put Americans in space

The first stage, Project Mercury, consisted of a series of test flights The first stage, Project Mercury, consisted of a series of test flights Project Gemini launched a series of flights in which two man teams practiced maneuvering spacecraft while orbiting the earth Project Gemini launched a series of flights in which two man teams practiced maneuvering spacecraft while orbiting the earth The Apollo program began in 1968 and would accomplish the goal of a moon landing The Apollo program began in 1968 and would accomplish the goal of a moon landing

Programs at Home and Abroad Kennedy’s efforts to perk up the economy largely succeeded Kennedy’s efforts to perk up the economy largely succeeded The Area Redevelopment Act channeled funds into needy regions The Area Redevelopment Act channeled funds into needy regions Congress raised minimum wage from $1 to $1.25 Congress raised minimum wage from $1 to $1.25 During his administration, Kennedy initiated several programs for international development During his administration, Kennedy initiated several programs for international development The Peace Corps sent volunteers to developing countries, where they lived with the locals and assisted in education The Peace Corps sent volunteers to developing countries, where they lived with the locals and assisted in education

In it’s first 34 years, the Peace Corps sent 140,000 volunteers to 100 countries In it’s first 34 years, the Peace Corps sent 140,000 volunteers to 100 countries The program still continues today The program still continues today

Tragedy in Dallas President Kennedy had been fatally shot in Dallas while riding in a motorcade on November 22, 1963 President Kennedy had been fatally shot in Dallas while riding in a motorcade on November 22, 1963 Vice President Lyndon Johnson was sworn in almost immediately as president Vice President Lyndon Johnson was sworn in almost immediately as president Lee Harvey Oswald was charged with the murder Lee Harvey Oswald was charged with the murder Oswald was later killed by Jack Ruby, a nightclub owner Oswald was later killed by Jack Ruby, a nightclub owner

The Great Society Johnson moved quickly to push Kennedy initiatives, including the Civil Rights Act, through Congress Johnson moved quickly to push Kennedy initiatives, including the Civil Rights Act, through Congress He launched his war on poverty with the Economic Opportunity Act, the most ambitious attempt to aid the poor in the nation’s history He launched his war on poverty with the Economic Opportunity Act, the most ambitious attempt to aid the poor in the nation’s history It established volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) It established volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) The act also funded Project Head Start, to give preschoolers from disadvantaged families a leg up on elementary education The act also funded Project Head Start, to give preschoolers from disadvantaged families a leg up on elementary education

In the 1964 election, Johnson defeated Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater In the 1964 election, Johnson defeated Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater Medicare was one of the most significant pieces of legislation Medicare was one of the most significant pieces of legislation It federally funded health care for the elderly It federally funded health care for the elderly

Success and Limitations Johnson’s Great Society program of social and political reform was often compared with Roosevelt’s New Deal Johnson’s Great Society program of social and political reform was often compared with Roosevelt’s New Deal The goals of the two were different The goals of the two were different The Great Society was more successful in creating legislative programs than in implementing them The Great Society was more successful in creating legislative programs than in implementing them It was underfunded, partly because of the cost of the Vietnam War It was underfunded, partly because of the cost of the Vietnam War