JFK New Fronteir

Civil Rights (1960s)

Segregation still existed, especially in the South

How did people fight segregation?

Protests and demonstrations, even when dangerous

What did John F. Kennedy do for civil rights?

Ordered investigations into racial injustice in 1963

First human in space

Yuri Gagarin (1961)

U.S. response to space race

Kennedy pushed to land a man on the moon

First man on the moon

Neil Armstrong (1969)

Flexible Response

Strategy to respond to threats in multiple ways (not just nuclear)

What did Flexible Response include?

More troops, defense spending, and special forces

Poverty in America (1962)

Millions lived on less than $1,000 a year

Kennedy’s plan for poverty

“National assault on poverty” with more government spending

Peace Corps

Program sending Americans to help developing countries

What do Peace Corps volunteers do?

Teach, give medical aid, support development

Alliance for Progress

U.S. program giving aid to Latin America

Goal of Alliance for Progress

Reduce poverty and stop spread of communism

1960 Election candidates

John F. Kennedy vs. Richard Nixon

Major issues in 1960 election

Civil rights, Cold War, religion

Why were TV debates important?

Kennedy looked more confident than Nixon

Result of 1960 election

Very close win for Kennedy

Attorney General under Kennedy

Robert F. Kennedy

National Security Advisor

McGeorge Bundy