Key Events and Policies of JFK and LBJ Administrations

New Frontier

The New Frontier aimed to stimulate economic growth, expand education, provide medical care for the elderly, and fight racial injustice. It also encouraged technological advancement, especially in space exploration.

Cuba Situation

Fidel Castro overthrew Batista in 1959 and aligned Cuba with the Soviet Union, implementing communist reforms and nationalizing U.S. businesses. The U.S. response included the failed Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis, which nearly escalated into nuclear war.

Civil Rights under JFK

Though initially cautious, JFK eventually supported civil rights by proposing legislation and sending federal troops to enforce desegregation. His administration backed actions like the integration of the University of Mississippi and protection for Freedom Riders.

Berlin Crisis

In 1961, tensions rose when the Soviets demanded Western forces leave Berlin, prompting a standoff. JFK responded by reinforcing the U.S. military presence, leading to the erection of the Berlin Wall.

Alliance for Progress

JFK launched this initiative to strengthen ties with Latin America by promoting economic development and democratic governance. It was partially aimed at countering the influence of communism in the region.

Peace Corps

Created by executive order in 1961, the Peace Corps sent Americans to volunteer in developing nations. It symbolized America's commitment to international aid and Cold War diplomacy.

JFK Assassination

President Kennedy was shot while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, leading to a wave of national mourning. The Warren Commission later concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.

War on Poverty

LBJ's response to rising poverty rates, it included programs like VISTA, Job Corps, and Community Action Agencies. It was a central feature of his Great Society vision.

Great Society

This was LBJ's domestic agenda to eliminate poverty and promote equality through federal intervention. It built on the legacy of the New Deal but expanded its social welfare scope.

Great Society programs

Key initiatives included Medicare, Medicaid, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and HUD. These programs tackled healthcare, education, urban development, and civil rights.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident/Resolution

A reported attack on U.S. ships led Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving LBJ broad military powers in Vietnam. This marked a major escalation in U.S. involvement.

Tet Offensive

The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong launched a massive surprise assault during the lunar new year in 1968. It shocked Americans and eroded public support for the Vietnam War.

The Treatment

LBJ's forceful political tactic involved personal, intense persuasion to win over legislators. It was famously effective in pushing through civil rights and Great Society laws.

Geneva Accords

In 1954, the Geneva Accords temporarily divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel and called for national elections. The U.S. did not sign the accords but agreed not to disturb the settlement.

Division of Vietnam

Vietnam was split into communist North under Ho Chi Minh and anti-communist South under U.S. influence. This division was supposed to be temporary, but elections were never held.

Ho Chi Minh

A nationalist and communist leader, Ho Chi Minh led North Vietnam in its fight against French and later American forces. He was inspired by Marxist-Leninist ideology and Vietnamese independence.

Ngo Dinh Diem

The U.S.-backed South Vietnamese president, Diem was criticized for his authoritarian rule and repression of Buddhists. His assassination in 1963 destabilized South Vietnam.

Viet Cong/North Vietnamese Army

The Viet Cong were South Vietnamese communist insurgents who fought using guerrilla tactics. The North Vietnamese Army supported them with supplies and regular troops via the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

Dien Bien Phu

This 1954 battle saw the Viet Minh defeat French forces, leading to France's withdrawal from Vietnam. It marked the end of colonial rule and prompted U.S. involvement.

Domino Theory

A key Cold War belief that argued if one country fell to communism, others in the region would follow, justifying U.S. intervention in Southeast Asia.

New Frontier

JFK's domestic reform program aimed to boost the economy, improve education, and advance civil rights, emphasizing space exploration.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

A failed CIA-backed operation in 1961 where Cuban exiles tried to overthrow Fidel Castro, embarrassing the U.S. and strengthening Castro's ties with the Soviet Union.

Cuban Missile Crisis / U-2 Spy Plane

In 1962, U.S. U-2 spy planes discovered Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, leading to a 13-day standoff known as the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Space Race under JFK

JFK pushed for space exploration supremacy to compete with the Soviet Union, leading to increased NASA funding and the promise of landing a man on the moon.

Construction of the Berlin Wall

In 1961, the Soviet-backed East German government built the Berlin Wall to stop East Berliners from fleeing to the democratic West Berlin.

Alliance for Progress

Initiated by JFK, it aimed to improve economic relations between the U.S. and Latin America to counter communism by promoting development.

Peace Corps

Founded in 1961, it sent American volunteers abroad to assist in education, health, and development as a Cold War strategy.

Flexible Response

A military strategy that replaced Eisenhower's massive retaliation policy, allowing JFK to respond to threats with a range of military options.

Test Ban Treaty

Signed in 1963 by the U.S., U.S.S.R., and U.K., this treaty banned nuclear testing in the atmosphere, underwater, and in space.

Freedom Rides

Civil rights activists rode interstate buses into the segregated South in 1961 to test Supreme Court rulings, facing violent resistance.

War on Poverty

Launched by LBJ, it aimed to reduce economic inequality through federal programs like Head Start, food stamps, and job training.

Assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem

The U.S.-backed South Vietnamese leader was assassinated in a 1963 coup, destabilizing South Vietnam and deepening U.S. involvement.

Assassination of JFK

JFK was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963, by Lee Harvey Oswald, shocking the nation and elevating LBJ to the presidency.

Rise of LBJ into the Presidency

After JFK's assassination, Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as president, using JFK's legacy to pass major legislation.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

This landmark law banned segregation in public places and employment discrimination based on race, sex, or religion.

LBJ's "Treatment"

LBJ's legendary method of persuasion using charm, intimidation, and persistence to win support for major legislation.

Great Society

LBJ's sweeping set of social programs aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice, expanding the federal government's role.

Medicare/Medicaid

Part of the Great Society, Medicare provided health care for the elderly, while Medicaid assisted the poor.

Tet Offensive

In 1968, the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese launched a massive surprise attack during the Vietnamese New Year, turning U.S. public opinion against the Vietnam War.

Voting Rights Act

Passed in 1965, this act banned literacy tests and other discriminatory practices that prevented African Americans from voting.

Headstart program

Preschool program designed to prepare kids in low-income households for school before kindergarten.

Rise of the Khmer Rouge

Bombing in Cambodia to prevent the supple of resources.

USS C. Turner Joy

August 4th 1964 reported attacked by North Vietnam ships. Allowed for Johnson to escalate war in Vietnam.

William Calley

a lieutenant who's unit began shooting and killing unarmed civilians at My Lai. he later maintained that he was following orders, but many of the soldiers present did not participate in the massacre.

My Lai Massacre

1968, in which American troops had brutally massacred innocent women and children in the village of My Lai, also led to more opposition to the war.

spy plane

something that flies in the air and watches what someone else is doing

Nixon Docterine

Paris Peace Accords

1973 cease-fire agreement where the US agreed to withdraw their troops from South Vietnam

Heavy bombing campaign

Fall of Saigon

Marked the end of the Vietnam War in April, 1975 when North Vietnamese invaded South Vietnam, forcing all Americans left to flee in disarray as the capitol was taken

Invasion and bombing of Cambodia

Massive Protests in US at Kent State

Maddox and C. Turner Joy

ships involved in the Gulf of Tonkin incident

Operation Rolling Thunder

bombing campaign over North Vietnam, supposed to weaken enemy's ability and will to fight