1. Social and Political Changes in the 1950s & 1960s
The presidencies of: John F. Kennedy ( ) Lyndon Johnson ( )

2. Social Changes in the 1950s Baby Boom Soldiers returned from war
Number of U.S. Births
Social Changes in the 1950s
Baby Boom
Soldiers returned from war
Many babies born
Society had to accommodate the influx in children and families
Suburbs
Many families moved to communities outside of cities (white flight)
Levittown (NY)
Over 17,000 homes built in 4 years
Attracted families searching for the American Dream

3. Social Changes Television
Spread national culture as Americans were exposed to same the same news, sports, and TV shows
Influenced public opinion of current events and leaders as wars and presidential debates/speeches were broadcast on TV
Statistics
1946 = .5% households had TV
1954 = 55.7%
1962 = 90%
Rock-n-Roll
Popular new music
Combined gospel, folk, and blues
LOVED by teens
Parents HATED – thought the fast beats were immoral
Elvis Presley
Made rock-n-roll popular among teens

4. The Election of 1960
By 1960, Americans were anxious about the changes that had taken place in the 1950’s:
The economic boom of the 1950’s dipped into a recession
Rock ‘n’ roll music scared parents
Civil Rights protests increased fears of racial violence
Eisenhower’s foreign policies made many people wonder if America was losing the Cold War

5. Richard Nixon Marked a turning point in U.S. politics
Republican Richard Nixon offered experience:
served 8 years as VP
Had foreign policy experience during the critical states of the Cold War
Promised to keep gov’t spending and taxes low

6. John F. Kennedy Democrat John F. Kennedy offered youth and hope:
Served 2 Senate terms
Had no foreign police experience
Seen as inexperienced
He was Catholic
Offered active leadership to address America’s problems
Wanted to improve education, healthcare, and civil rights for minorities

7. Debates 1960 was the 1st time presidential debates were on TV
TV debates helped JFK win the election
He was young and good looking
1960 marked the beginning of TV dominance in politics
TV proved that image matters.

8. JFK & the New Frontier
President Kennedy represented youth, charisma, hope, & a new approach to government
His vision for America was called the “New Frontier”
He filled out his cabinet & white House staff with the “best & brightest” political minds in America

9. The Assassination of JFK
On Nov 22, 1963 John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas
Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested
VP Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as president on Air Force One
Two days later, Oswald was killed by Jack Ruby
Devastated Americans who believed in his ability to change America

10. Lyndon B. Johnson
In 1963, LBJ finished the last year of JFK’s presidency and then ran for president in the 1964 election
His opponent was conservative Republican Barry Goldwater who talked about strongly resisting the USSR with nuclear weapons
Johnson won and began his “Great Society,” the broadest series of social reforms since FDR’s New Deal
Great Society
Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act

11. LBJ’s Great Society
Political Program that attacked the problem of poverty in the U.S.
War on Poverty: forty programs intended to eliminate poverty by improving living conditions and enabling people to end the cycle of poverty.
• Education: sixty separate bills that provided for new and better-equipped classrooms, minority scholarships, and low-interest student loans.
• Medicare: guaranteed health care to every American over sixty-five.
• Medicaid: provided health care assistance to the poor
• The environment: introduced measures to reclaim our heritage of clean air and water.
• National Endowment for the Arts and the Humanities: created with the philosophy that artists, performers, and writers were a priceless part of our heritage and deserve support.
• Job Corps: provided job training for young men and women.
• Head Start: program for four- and five-year-old children from disadvantaged families that gave them a chance to start school on an even basis with other youngsters.

12. Politics: Warren Court
Earl Warren: Chief Justice of Supreme Court
5 of 9 Justices were liberal, Supreme Court made many liberal decisions
Helped civil rights and rights of accused
Examples…
1) Brown v. Board of Education: school segregation = illegal
2) Miranda v. Arizona:
Miranda Decision = police must read arrested person their rights

13. Political: Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
April 4, 1968 MLK was assassinated by James Earl Ray in Memphis, TN
Shocked the nation
Riots broke out in 168 cities and led to 46 deaths

14. Political: Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy
Brother of JFK
Tried to run for President in 1968
Gained support but was assassinated on June 5, 1968 by Sirhan Sirhan (a Palestine immigrant who was angered by Kennedy’s support of Israel)
Shocked Americans
Another setback for civil rights progress

15. Social: Environmentalism
In 1960s Americans realized environmental problems
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
- Inspired Americans to limit impact on environment
Led to:
Earth Day: celebrated every April 22nd to inspire Americans to appreciate environment
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): goal is to protect human health and the environment (land, air, and water)