Kennedy

What did his administration see themselves as?

A modernising government (New Frontier), but despite his sympathetic speeches and his appointment of more As to positions of authoirty, he was slow to make civil rights the key element in his administration

what did his speech to Congress echo?

Truman’s speech in 1948 as support for civil rights

why was taking decisive action more difficult against racial discrimination?

Due to the influence of the Southern White Bloc in Congress

what did Kennedy submit in June 1963?

General civil rights bill to Congress

what happened by 1963?

Civil Rights had been forced to the front of national politics by two elements:

• Ongoing violence, exemplified by the marauders of civil rights leader Medgar Evers on 12th June 1963

• Effective campaign by various civil rights organisations

why was the march on Washington important?

250,000 people demanding civil rights was the largest public demonstration seen in the capital. it also led to Martin Luther King’s speech. This was on the 28th August

Why was Kennedy’s assassination important?

Made change possible on 22nd November 1963