The Nixon v. Kennedy Debates Nixon (R) V.P. to Eisenhower Nixon (R) V.P. to Eisenhower Talented and proven statesman and diplomat. Talented and proven statesman and diplomat. Visited Moscow – Kitchen Debates Visited Moscow – Kitchen Debates Communism v. Capitalism Communism v. Capitalism Kennedy (D) Sen. from Massachusetts Kennedy (D) Sen. from Massachusetts Liberals like Stevenson wanted LBJ (Sen. Majority Leader) Liberals like Stevenson wanted LBJ (Sen. Majority Leader) Little national experience Little national experience

Results of Election Role of Media – T.V. = Kennedy, Radio = Nixon. Role of Media – T.V. = Kennedy, Radio = Nixon. Little of 100,000 popular vote difference and 303 (JFK) to 219 (RMN) Electoral College Votes. Little of 100,000 popular vote difference and 303 (JFK) to 219 (RMN) Electoral College Votes.

Kennedy Administration “Ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country.” – inauguration “Ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country.” – inauguration Attorney General – Robert Kennedy Attorney General – Robert Kennedy Sec. of Defense – Robert McNamara Sec. of Defense – Robert McNamara New Frontier / civil rights / urban renewal / Trade Expansion Act New Frontier / civil rights / urban renewal / Trade Expansion Act Peace Corp / Bay of Pigs / Berlin Wall / Cuban Missile Crisis Peace Corp / Bay of Pigs / Berlin Wall / Cuban Missile Crisis

Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961) Considered the worst mistake of his presidency. Considered the worst mistake of his presidency. Eisenhower’s last attempt plan to cause a coup against the dictator – Fidel Castro. Eisenhower’s last attempt plan to cause a coup against the dictator – Fidel Castro. CIA to train Cuban exiles to assassinate Castro. CIA to train Cuban exiles to assassinate Castro. Doesn’t work – CIA operatives are captured. Doesn’t work – CIA operatives are captured. Kennedy is soft on Communism / Military Kennedy is soft on Communism / Military

Vienna Conf. Summer 1961 Soviet Premier Khrushchev meets with JFK. Soviet Premier Khrushchev meets with JFK. Pull troops out of West Berlin! Pull troops out of West Berlin! Problem? – East Berliners were emigrating in large numbers to West Berlin. Problem? – East Berliners were emigrating in large numbers to West Berlin. In August East Berliners and Soviets start to build Berlin Wall. In August East Berliners and Soviets start to build Berlin Wall. “Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put up a wall to keep our people in…As a free man, I take pride in the words, ‘Ich bin ein Berliner.’ “Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put up a wall to keep our people in…As a free man, I take pride in the words, ‘Ich bin ein Berliner.’

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) Castro won’t be supported by U.S. …he will get support from U.S.S.R. Castro won’t be supported by U.S. …he will get support from U.S.S.R. Naval Blockade of Cuba as CIA uncovers plans for Soviet Missiles to be sent to Cuba. Naval Blockade of Cuba as CIA uncovers plans for Soviet Missiles to be sent to Cuba. What if U.S.S.R. sends nuclear bomb technology? What if U.S.S.R. sends nuclear bomb technology? U.S. is late, some missiles have already been sent. U.S. is late, some missiles have already been sent – Nuclear Test Ban Treaty after days of tension and the brink of war – Nuclear Test Ban Treaty after days of tension and the brink of war.

A Change in Approach: Dulles’ Idea – Massive Retaliation Dulles’ Idea – Massive Retaliation Reliance on nuclear weapons (the threat of) Reliance on nuclear weapons (the threat of) McNamara’s Idea – Flexible Response McNamara’s Idea – Flexible Response Reliance on special forces (Green Berets) Reliance on special forces (Green Berets)

Increase of Soldiers in Vietnam 1963 – 16,000 US troops were sent to South Vietnam – 16,000 US troops were sent to South Vietnam. To support, not fight To support, not fight Create “strategic hamlets” Create “strategic hamlets” Ngo Dinh Diem was falling in popularity. (Saigon) Ngo Dinh Diem was falling in popularity. (Saigon) Nov Diem is assassinated. Nov Diem is assassinated. It was later found that the Kennedy Admin. Knew of this planned action. It was later found that the Kennedy Admin. Knew of this planned action.

Is this conflict winnable? Buddhists set themselves on fire in protest of Diem rule in Saigon.

Chinese Communist Support of North Vietnam China’s China’s Mao Zedong assisted North Vietnam with ammunition, weapons and supplies.

Kennedy calls for reduction in armament after the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) brings the world to the brink of nuclear warfare – Nuclear Test Ban Treaty is signed by the USSR, US and nearly 100 other nations to end the testing of nuclear weapons.

How had JFK used his theory of “Flexible Response”?

Assassination 2 and ½ years in office 2 and ½ years in office November 22, 1963 November 22, 1963 Dallas, Texas Dallas, Texas Lee Harvey Oswald Lee Harvey Oswald Organized crime? Castro? CIA? FBI? Organized crime? Castro? CIA? FBI? Johnson is sworn into office Johnson is sworn into office Warren Commission – Chief Justice Earl Warren Warren Commission – Chief Justice Earl Warren Credibility of Government… Credibility of Government…