US II - Ch 20: The New Frontier and the Great Society

John F. Kennedy

The 35th President of the United States from 1961 to 1963. He was a key figure during the Cold War and was known for his foreign policy challenges including the Cuban Missile Crisis and his commitment to civil rights. He proposed the New Frontier programs aimed at social reforms and space exploration. His presidency was cut short by his assassination in Dallas, Texas.

flexible response

A defense strategy developed by the Kennedy administration that emphasized the ability to respond to various levels of threats using nonnuclear forces. This boosted conventional military forces including troops, ships, artillery, and the Special Forces/Green Berets. s. These changes enabled the United States to fight limited wars around the world while maintaining a balance of nuclear power with the Soviet Union.

Fidel Castro

Cuban revolutionary leader who declared himself a communist and welcomed aid from the Soviet Union.

Berlin Wall

A concrete barrier that divided East and West Berlin during the Cold War, built by the East German government to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West in order to escape communism.

hot line

A dedicated phone that enabled the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union to communicate directly during times of crisis.

Limited Test Ban Treaty

An agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union that barred nuclear testing in the atmosphere.

New Frontier

Kennedy’s broad vision of progress for America. He faced difficulties as many of his proposals to Congress could not gather enough votes, and he faced the same Republican and Southern opposition as Truman’s Fair Deal. He successfully persuaded Congress to enact measures to boost the economy, build the national defense, provide international aid, and fund a space program.

mandate

A clear indication that voters approves of his plans, which Kennedy lacked because he was elected by the slimmest margin. This led him to play it safe politically.

Peace Corps

A program of volunteer assistance to the developing nations of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Many of the volunteers were just out of college, and foreign observers questioned whether Americans could understand other cultures. Still, the program was a success and people of all ages and backgrounds volunteered.

Alliance for Progress

A foreign aid program that offered economic and technical assistance to Latin American countries. The US invested billions in Latin America, partially to deter countries from adopting Fidel Castro’s communist ideas.

Warren Commission

The organization which investigated JFK’s murder and concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald shot the president on his own, not as a part of a conspiracy.

Lyndon Baines Johnson

The 36th President of the United States, who succeeded John F. Kennedy after his assassination. He is known for his Great Society programs aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice.

Economic Opportunity Act (EOA)

A law enacted in 1964 aimed at combating poverty through various programs, including job training and education initiatives, as part of Lyndon B. Johnson's “unconditional war on poverty in America.” The legislation created the Job Corps Youth Training Program, Volunteers in Service to America, Project Head Start, and the Community Action Program.

Great Society

President Johnson’s vision for America. He envisioned a legislative program that would end poverty and racial injustice, and create a higher standard of living and equal opportunity, and overall promote a richer quality of life.

Medicare and Medicaid

Changes to the Social Security made by LBJ and Congress that provided hospital insurance and low-cost medical insurance for almost every American age 65 or older and extended health insurance to welfare recipients.

Immigration Act of 1965

Legislation that ended quotas based on nationality and opened the door for many non-European immigrants to settle in the United States.

Warren Court

Made many court decisions that affected American society. It banned banned prayer in public schools and declared state-required loyalty oaths unconstitutional. It limited the power of communities to censor books and films and said that free speech included the wearing of black armbands to school by antiwar students. It also brought about change in federal and state reapportionment and the criminal justice system

reapportionment

The way in which states redraw election districts based on the changing number of people in them. The Warren Court addressed this issue in a key series of decisions.