THE 1960’S President John F. Kennedy President Lyndon B. Johnson

President John F. Kennedy Election of 1960 Candidates: –Richard M. Nixon, Republican –John F. Kennedy, Democrat Time to get things moving again –Slow economy from 1950’s –Still dealing w/ recessions 1 st televised election –Allowed voters to see candidates –Gave Kennedy an edge as he appeared healthy and young while Nixon looked old and out of shape

The New Frontier Described Kennedy’s proposals to improve the economy –Give aid to the poor & revive space program Poverty: direct aid needed –Raised minimum wage –$4.9 billion to improve cities –24 th amendment: outlawed poll taxes Space Program: challenged nation to put a man on the moon –Energized by Soviet orbit of Earth –Increased funding to NASA

Assassination President Kennedy’s term was cut short on November 22, 1963 Shot while riding in an open car through Dallas Suspected to be a conspiracy plot Warren Commission: investigation into the death of President Kennedy – no conspiracy revealed

Kennedy – Lincoln Coincidences G1qWE

THE GREAT SOCIETY Described LBJ’s goals War on poverty –Economic Opportunity Act: fight causes of poverty – illiteracy, unemployment & poor public services Aid to education –Provide aid to states based on the number of children from low income families –Began pre-k in poor urban areas Medicare & Medicaid –Health insurance for the elderly & poor

Effects of the Great Society Critics: –Too many dollars were being spent on the poor –Too much power to the federal government to oversee programs Effect: –Number of people living in poverty cut in half