ch 20: new frontier and great society

JFK v Nixon

The 1960 election brought TV debates to the forefront. JFK's polished appearance helped him win public favor over Nixon, influencing future campaigns.

Flexible response

Kennedy's military strategy allowing varied responses (not just nuclear) to threats; aimed to better handle limited conflicts like Vietnam.

Bay of Pigs

A failed 1961 invasion of Cuba by U.S.-backed exiles, intended to oust Fidel Castro. It humiliated JFK and pushed Cuba closer to the USSR.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 1962 confrontation over Soviet missiles in Cuba; brought the world to the brink of nuclear war but ended with mutual concessions.

Fidel Castro

Communist leader of Cuba who aligned with the Soviet Union, central to Cold War tensions with the U.S.

Berlin Wall

Erected in 1961 by East Germany to stop defections to West Berlin. Became a stark symbol of the Cold War divide.

hotline

A direct communication line established between Washington and Moscow after the Cuban Missile Crisis to prevent miscommunications during future crises.

Limited Test Ban Treaty

A 1963 U.S.-USSR-UK agreement banning nuclear tests in the air, underwater, and space—an early step toward nuclear arms control.

New Frontier

JFK's legislative agenda pushing for civil rights, space exploration, education reform, and poverty reduction.

Peace Corps

Founded by JFK to send American volunteers to developing countries for education, health, and agriculture work—part of U.S. Cold War soft power.

Alliance for Progress

A U.S. initiative under JFK to provide economic aid to Latin America and counter the spread of communism.

Warren Commission

The official investigation into JFK's assassination; concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, though some still debate its findings.

LBJ and the Great Society

Lyndon Johnson's sweeping domestic programs aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice through federal intervention in education, health care, and welfare.

Economic Opportunity Act (1964)

Part of LBJ's War on Poverty, this law established programs like Job Corps and VISTA to create opportunities for disadvantaged Americans.

Immigration Act of 1965

Abolished the national origins quota system, diversifying immigration and reshaping the U.S. population.

Reapportionment

Baker v. Carr (1962) mandated equal representation in legislative districts ("one person, one vote").

warren court decisions

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963): Right to legal counsel even if you can't afford one.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966): Suspects must be informed of their rights (Miranda rights) when arrested.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961): Illegally obtained evidence cannot be used in court (exclusionary rule).