Section 1: The New Frontier Section 2: The Great Society Section 3: Foreign Policy in the Early 1960s Copyright © 2003 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. All rights reserved.

The Election of 1960 A New Type of Candidate Democratic Senator John F. Kennedy had served in the House and Senate for 14 years when he ran for President in Still, some questioned his candidacy because of his young age, 43, and his Roman Catholic religious beliefs.

1 st Televised Presidential Debate

A Narrow Kennedy Victory Kennedy won the 1960 election by an extremely close margin. Kennedy was separated from his opponent, Republican Richard Nixon, by fewer than 119,000 popular votes out of nearly 69 million cast. Because of the close election, Kennedy entered office without a mandate, or public endorsement of his proposals.

Jacqueline Kennedy Brought sense of style and sophistication to the White House Educated in Europe Mother of two

Kennedy’s Domestic Programs In a speech early in his presidency, Kennedy said that the nation was poised at the edge of a “New Frontier.” This phrase came to refer to Kennedy’s proposals to improve the economy, assist the poor, and speed up the space program.

Peace Corps Help poor around the world Help resist communism

Space Program Funding for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was increased. In 1961 and 1962, American astronauts made initial space flights. Race to beat the Russians to the Moon

Domestic Programs Lack of a mandate led to the defeat of many of his initiatives, however, he was able to initiate a variety of important programs: 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 Signing of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

Castro takes power in Cuba January 1, 1959 leftist forces under Fidel Castro overthrow Cuban Government The next year, Castro seizes U.S. assets on the island.

Foreign Affairs Fidel Castro Introduction of Communism – 90 miles from American shores! Soviet Union is VERY pleased!

Bay of Pigs Invasion Eisenhower approves a plan by the CIA to overthrow Castro In April 1961, Kennedy gives final approval for nearly 1,800 Cuban exiles that had been training in Central America by the CIA to invade Cuba

Chapter 22, Section 1 The Bay of Pigs Invasion proved to be both a military and diplomatic disaster.

Bay of Pigs Airstrikes failed to destroy Cuba’s air force, and Cuban troops were more than a match for the invaders. U.S. loses credibility Clumsy invasion tactics Violation of agreements not to interfere in the Western Hemisphere.

Berlin Causes of the Berlin Crisis As part of the post–World War II division of Germany, the city of Berlin in Communist East Germany had been divided into Communist and non-Communist zones.

Berlin Wall The division of Berlin was planned as a temporary measure.

Barbed Wire led to concrete walls

Concrete Walls were reinforced and made permanent

1961 – Berlin Wall Large numbers of East Germans are fleeing to the West Large numbers of East Germans are fleeing to the West East Germans build a wall around West Berlin to stop flow East Germans build a wall around West Berlin to stop flow

…More Barriers are put into place

Berlin Wall The Berlin Wall came to be a somber symbol of Cold War tensions.

The Berlin Crisis At least 86 die in the process Hundreds attempted escape

JFK in Berlin

Cuban Missile Crisis  Medium range missiles could reach Dallas or DC in 5 minutes  Longer range missiles could reach virtually any major U.S. city

Cuban Missile Crisis – October 14 U-2 Reconnaissance Plane over Cuba spots installation of nuclear Missiles

The Missiles: One Site

1962 – Cuban Missile Crisis Soviets secretly install missiles in Cuba Kennedy (U.S.) blockades Cuba BRINK OF WAR! Khrushchev removes missiles Kennedy agrees not to invade Cuba and to remove U. S. missiles from Turkey Helped lead to Khrushchev’s downfall