The Camelot Years JFK’s Domestic Policy

The Camelot Years With winning by such a narrow margin Kennedy entered office without a strong mandate, or public endorsement of his proposals. This would cause him to have trouble pushing some of his controversial issues through Congress. The Camelot Years – The years of Kennedy’s Presidency (as his family and lifestyle created the idea of perfect American family values and morals. Kennedy's domestic proposals echoed on a term he used called The New Frontier, which were his proposals to improve the economy, assist the poor and speed up the space program.

The Camelot Years

He proposed Tax Cuts that were often not passed in Congress. U.S. Stock market fell in its steepest drop since Unemployment was at 7 percent. Kennedy was a strong advocate for helping the poor, believing that they needed direct federal aid.

The Camelot Years

Congress increased the minimum wage to $1.25 and passed the Housing Act of 1961, which provided $4.9 billion for urban renewal. Congress also approved the Twenty-Fourth Amendment, which outlawed the poll tax. The Equal Pay Act was passed and stated that all employees doing substantially the same work in the same workplace must be given equal pay.

The Camelot Years Kennedy passed several initiatives including providing surplus food to unemployed Americans, a large and fast defense buildup, changes in Social Security, and changes in the welfare system. Proposed a sweeping Civil Rights Bill just before his assassination.

The Camelot Years

Kennedy became a huge supporter of the American Space Program, increasing spending for NASA. The USSR sent the first person into space in April 1961, Yuri Gagarin.

The Camelot Years On May 5, 1961 Alan Shepard became the first American Astronaut in Space. Convinced of the success of Shepard’s flight Kennedy made a bold statement saying that the United States “should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon.”

The Camelot Years