President Kennedy 1961-1963 Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering the presidency of John F. Kennedy (1961-1963), including key vocabulary, legislative record, foreign policy, and the civil rights movement.

What was the Bay of Pigs?

The place of the failed invasion of Cuba by American exiles and the CIA in April 1961.

How is 'Brain Drain' defined in the context of 1960s Germany?

The emigration of educated or highly qualified people from East to West Germany.

What is the definition of 'Containment'?

The US policy of stopping the spread of Communism originating with the Truman Doctrine.

Who were the Cuban Exiles?

Americans ejected from Cuba by Castro after the Cuban revolution of 1959.

What was the purpose of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)?

It was created to ensure equality for black Americans.

What was the role of Ex-Comm?

The Executive Committee of the National Security Council gave advice to JFK during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

What term describes JFK's policy program introduced in July 1960?

The New Frontier.

What was the Peace Corps?

A volunteer programme created by Kennedy's government aiming to offer training and technical help to third world countries.

By what percentage of the vote did Kennedy win the 1960 election?

$$0.17\%$$

Who were the two named members of Kennedy's 'best and brightest' team of advisers?

Theodore Sorensen (speech writer) and Robert McNamara (Secretary of Defence).

According to the Area Redevelopment Act, how many jobs were created?

$26,000$ jobs.

What was the result of JFK raising the minimum wage?

It was increased to $\$1.25$ per hour.

How many people were fed by the food stamp program under JFK?

$240,000$ people.

On what date was the Berlin Wall built?

August 1961.

What famous speech did JFK give in June 1963 regarding Berlin?

'Ich bin ein Berliner'

Who overthrew the pro-US dictator Batista in Cuba in January 1959?

Fidel Castro.

On what date did a U2 spy plane photograph missile bases in Cuba?

October 14th (1962).

What were the terms of the agreement to end the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Khrushchev offered to remove Cuban missiles if JFK promised not to invade Cuba; JFK also secretly removed missiles from Turkey.

How many US advisers were in Vietnam by 1963?

$17,000$ advisers.

What massive event occurred in August 1963 where Martin Luther King gave his 'I have a dream' speech?

The March on Washington with $250,000$ people.

Who were the Southern law enforcement officials noted for using violence against protestors?

Bull Connor in Birmingham and Jim Clark in Selma.

What executive action did JFK take regarding federal workers and the judiciary to support civil rights?

He appointed a large number of black Americans as federal workers, including $5$ judges.

By 1963, how many developing countries had host volunteers from the Peace Corps?

$44$ countries.

What was the growth in Gross National Product (GNP) and personal income during JFK's presidency?

GNP was up $20\%$ and personal income was up $15\%.$

What were the inflation and unemployment percentages during JFK's term?

Inflation was $1.2\%$ and unemployment was $5-7\%.$

What two locations were mentioned as Northern and Western ghettos experiencing tension?

Harlem (NY) and Watts (LA).

According to the notes, how many states refused women jurors or required a man's presence for financial signatures?

$18$ states refused women jurors and $6$ states required a man present for women to sign financial papers.

What book, published in February 1963, encouraged women to seek lives beyond being housewives?

The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan.

When was President Kennedy assassinated?

November 1963.