1. Unit 7 Section 1
Kennedy

2. Election of 1960
John F. Kennedy, Democrat vs. Richard Nixon, Republican
First televised debate
Charismatic young Kennedy captures public imagination, wins very close election
Promises action to confront Communism

3. Crises Over Cuba 1959, Communist Fidel Castro seizes power in Cuba
Just 90 miles from US – a major thorn in side of Washington
Seizes American businesses; many Cubans go into exile in US
Castro soon being aided by Soviet Union

4. Bay of Pigs CIA plots to remove Castro fail
Eisenhower authorizes military invasion by Cuban exile army, backed by CIA; JFK approves plan, April, 1961
Exile army lands at Bay of Pigs, is rapidly defeated by Cuban forces
Humiliating loss for US and Kennedy; drives Castro further into arms of Soviets

5. Berlin Wall
Berlin is a divided city; millions of Germans fleeing into West from Soviet sector
Soviets demand US leave Berlin, JFK refuses
August, 1961, Soviets construct Berlin Wall to keep East Germans from leaving
Further aggravates tensions, becomes symbol of oppressiveness of Communism
East German soldier Conrad Schumann defects into West Berlin.

6. Cuban Missile Crisis*
Following Bay of Pigs, Castro fears further US intervention, agrees to secret placement of Soviet nukes
October, 1962, US spy planes discover missiles
JFK demands removal, sets up blockade
Ultimate example of brinkmanship as Khrushchev tests Kennedy
Missiles ultimately removed by Soviets for promise of no US invasion
explained
*click for numerous primary sources on the Cuban Missile Crisis

8. Cooling the Cold War
Following Cuban Missile Crisis, both Kennedy and Khrushchev look to ease tensions
Set up hot line for direct communication
Sign Limited Test Ban Treaty to ban above ground nuclear testing

9. Camelot Years
1960 election of Kennedy brings hope and optimism to many Americans
“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
Kennedy Mystique – family captures imagination of the world; young, charming, and glamorous
Jacqueline Kennedy as fashion icon
The “Best and Brightest” advisers – Robert Kennedy as most influential 1

10. New Frontier JFK’s program for progress called “New Frontier”
Calls on Americans to advance scientific achievement and space travel, fight ignorance, prejudice, and poverty
Proposes medical care for elderly, urban renewal, educational aid
Resistance by Republicans and Southern Dems made it difficult to achieve results
Lacked mandate based on slim margin of victory in ‘60 – politically “played it safe”

11. New Frontier Economic program based on deficit spending
Boost military spending by 20%
Creates Peace Corps to help combat foreign poverty, promote friendship abroad
Alliance for Progress to offer economic and technical aid to Latin America
Click on the image for a clip of JFK introducing the Peace Corps

12. New Frontier 1963, JFK starts to focus more on domestic issues
Begins to advocate for Civil Rights in the South, elimination of poverty
Introduces Civil Rights Bill to Congress – becomes law after his death

13. The Race to the Moon
1962, Kennedy challenges America to be the first to reach the moon
Alan Shepard – first American in space – 1961
John Glenn – first man to orbit the earth – 1962
NASA’s APOLLO Program achieves goal of moon landing, July 20th, 1969
Neil Armstrong – 1st man on the moon
One small step for man

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15. Kennedy Assassination
November 22, 1963
JFK is shot and killed in Dallas
Shots fired from Texas Schoolbook Depository
Lyndon B. Johnson becomes President
Lee Harvey Oswald, former marine, is charged
Rifle is recovered with prints
Had previously lived in Soviet Union
Killed by Jack Ruby prior to trial

16. Kennedy Dies

17. Oswald
Johnson takes oath

18. Unanswered Questions Conspiracy Theories
Magic Bullet, Grassy Knoll,
Warren Commission investigates crime – 1963
Determine Oswald acted alone
House Select Committee on Assassinations – 1979
Believe that JFK was killed as a result of conspiracy
Probable that four shots were fired; at least one from another gunman

19. From http://www.sptimes.com