JFK/LBJ

Who were the candidates in the 1960 election?

John F. Kennedy (Democrat) vs. Richard Nixon (Republican).

What two factors helped Kennedy win the 1960 election?

TV debates and civil rights support.

What obstacles did JFK face as a candidate?

Age (43), inexperience, and being Roman Catholic.

How did the televised debates impact the 1960 election?

Kennedy appeared confident; Nixon looked pale/sickly.

What was the Kennedy/King incident?

JFK helped MLK’s release from jail, gaining Black voter support.

What was JFK’s "Flexible Response" policy?

Diverse military options (e.g., Green Berets) instead of nuclear reliance.

What was the Bay of Pigs invasion (1961)?

Failed CIA-backed invasion of Cuba to overthrow Castro.

What triggered the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)?

U.S. spy planes found Soviet missile bases in Cuba.

How did the Cuban Missile Crisis end?

Soviets removed missiles; U.S. pledged not to invade Cuba.

Why was the Berlin Wall built (1961)?

To stop East Germans from fleeing to West Berlin.

What was the purpose of the "Hot Line" (1963)?

Direct U.S.-USSR communication during crises.

What did the Limited Test Ban Treaty (1963) do?

Banned nuclear testing in the atmosphere.

What was JFK’s "New Frontier"?

Agenda: space program, tax cuts, anti-poverty, education reforms.

What was the Peace Corps?

Volunteers aiding developing nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

What was the Alliance for Progress?

U.S. economic aid program for Latin America.

What happened on July 20, 1969?

Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon.

Who assassinated JFK in 1963?

Lee Harvey Oswald (killed later by Jack Ruby).

What did the Warren Commission conclude?

Oswald acted alone; no conspiracy.

Who became president after JFK’s death?

Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ).

What did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ban?

Discrimination based on race, religion, gender, or national origin.

What did the Economic Opportunity Act (1964) fund?

Job Corps, VISTA, and Head Start.

What was Medicare?

Health insurance for Americans over 65.

What was Medicaid?

Health insurance for low-income individuals.

What did the Immigration Act of 1965 change?

Ended European quotas; increased Asian/Latin American immigration.

Who was Robert Weaver?

First Black U.S. cabinet member (HUD Secretary under LBJ).

What did Brown v. Board of Education (1954) rule?

School segregation unconstitutional.

What was the "one person, one vote" principle (Baker v. Carr)?

Equal population required in legislative districts.

What did Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) guarantee?

Free lawyers for defendants who can’t afford one.

What did Miranda v. Arizona require?

Police must inform suspects of their rights (Miranda Rights).

What book exposed U.S. poverty, influencing LBJ?

The Other America by Michael Harrington.

What was Project Head Start?

Education program for underprivileged preschoolers.

Who were JFK’s "Best and the Brightest"?

Advisors: Bundy, McNamara, Rusk, and Robert Kennedy.

Who were JFK’s children, and why were they famous?

Caroline and John Jr.; their youth and public appearances fascinated the media during the "Camelot Years."

What is a "popular mandate," and why did JFK lack one?

A clear voter approval of plans; JFK won by a slim majority, so Congress hesitated to support his agenda.

How did JFK address the recession?

Proposed tax cuts and economic stimulus to boost consumer spending.

What was NASA’s role in the 1960s space race?

Built launch sites (Cape Canaveral) and achieved milestones like the moon landing (1969).

Who was Yuri Gagarin?

First human in space (1961) via the Soviet Vostok mission.

What did Alan Shepard accomplish in 1961?

First American in space during a suborbital flight.

What did John Glenn do in 1962?

First American to orbit Earth three times.

In which city was JFK assassinated?

Dallas, Texas.

Where was JFK shot?

Near the Texas School Book Depository building.

What was the Warren Commission’s purpose?

Investigate JFK’s assassination; concluded Oswald acted alone.

What was Job Corps?

LBJ’s program to train disadvantaged youth for jobs.

What did VISTA do?

Sent volunteers to poor neighborhoods to fight poverty.

Who won the 1964 election?

LBJ (D) defeated Barry Goldwater (R).

What did Barry Goldwater believe?

Opposed federal anti-poverty programs and wanted to use nuclear weapons.

What did the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (1965) do?

Gave $1 billion to schools for textbooks and libraries.

What was HUD’s purpose?

Improve urban housing; led by Robert Weaver, first Black cabinet member.

What did the Water Quality Act (1965) require?

States to clean polluted rivers.

What was the Warren Court known for?

Expanding civil rights (e.g., Brown v. Board) and rights of the accused.

What is reapportionment?

Redrawing election districts to ensure equal representation ("one person, one vote" in Baker v. Carr).

What did Mapp v. Ohio rule?

Evidence seized illegally cannot be used in court (exclusionary rule).

What did Escobedo v. Illinois guarantee?

Right to an attorney during police questioning.

What three rights did Miranda v. Arizona require police to state?

1) Right to remain silent; 2) Statements can be used against you; 3) Right to an attorney.