1960s quiz JFK/LBJ

JFK's New Frontier

A set of domestic and foreign policy proposals by President John F. Kennedy, focusing on civil rights, space exploration, education, and helping the poor.

Castro's takeover

Fidel Castro overthrew Batista in 1959, aligning Cuba with the Soviet Union.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

Failed U.S.-backed attempt to overthrow Castro using Cuban exiles (1961).

Cuban Missile Crisis

1962 confrontation between the U.S. and USSR over Soviet missiles in Cuba, nearly leading to nuclear war.

Civil Rights under JFK

Kennedy supported civil rights more actively later in his presidency—backing desegregation, sending troops to enforce integration, and proposing civil rights legislation.

Berlin Crisis (1961)

Soviet leader Khrushchev demanded the U.S. leave West Berlin; JFK refused. This led to the building of the Berlin Wall separating East and West Berlin.

Alliance for Progress

JFK’s program to promote economic development and democracy in Latin America to counter communism.

Peace Corps

Volunteer program launched by JFK to send Americans abroad to assist with education, health care, and economic development.

JFK Assassination

President Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, by Lee Harvey Oswald (allegedly). His death led to conspiracy theories and LBJ becoming president.

War on Poverty

A major part of LBJ’s Great Society, it included programs aimed at reducing poverty, such as Head Start, Medicare, Medicaid, and job training initiatives.

Great Society

Lyndon B. Johnson’s domestic agenda focused on eliminating poverty and racial injustice, and improving education, healthcare, and housing.

Great Society Programs

Key programs included Medicare (healthcare for seniors), Medicaid (healthcare for the poor), Head Start (early childhood education), and federal funding for education and urban development.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident/Resolution (1964)

After U.S. naval ships were allegedly attacked by North Vietnamese forces, Congress passed a resolution giving President Johnson authority to use military force in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war.

Tet Offensive (1968)

A surprise attack by the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese on South Vietnamese cities during the Vietnamese New Year. Although the U.S. won militarily, it turned American public opinion against the war.

The Treatment

Nickname for President Johnson’s intense and persuasive personal lobbying style, often used to pressure lawmakers into supporting his policies.

Geneva Accords (1954)

A peace agreement that ended French colonial rule in Vietnam and temporarily divided the country into North and South at the 17th parallel.

Division of Vietnam

After the Geneva Accords, Vietnam was split into communist North Vietnam (led by Ho Chi Minh) and anti-communist South Vietnam (backed by the U.S.).

Ho Chi Minh

Leader of North Vietnam and a key figure in the fight against colonialism and later against the U.S.-backed South Vietnamese government.

Ngo Dinh Diem

The U.S.-supported president of South Vietnam. His government was seen as corrupt and oppressive; he was assassinated in a 1963 coup.

Viet Cong / North Vietnamese Army (NVA)

The Viet Cong were communist guerrillas in South Vietnam; the NVA was the regular army of North Vietnam. Both fought against U.S. and South Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War.

Dien Bien Phu (1954)

A major battle where Vietnamese communist forces defeated the French, leading to the end of French rule in Indochina.

Domino Theory

A Cold War belief that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would follow, like a row of falling dominoes. It was a key reason for U.S. involvement in Vietnam.