John F. Kennedy and the Alliance for Progress

**“Missile gap”**

Term popularized claiming USSR had an advantage over the United States in terms of ICBMs—in reality wasn’t that bad.

**Flexible Response**

Emphasizing a range of options, from conventional to nuclear, to address different levels of conflict and deter aggression. Developed by **Robert McNamara**

**Modernization Theory**

Any country that wants growth in the economy should study the path taken by already modernized nations. Tradition is the greatest barrier to economic development.

Dependency Theory

Economic development of many countries is blocked by the idea that industrialized nations exploit them. An outgrowth of Marxism. Problems must be addressed by establishing independence.

**Peace Corps**

Volunteer program that promoted peace by sending US volunteers to work in developing countries.

Vienna Summit (D)

(1961) Meeting between JFK and Khrushchev. Talks did not lead to significant agreements. Tensions between the two nations continued to escalate in the following months, esp with the construction of the Berlin Wall later that year.

**Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (D)**

(1963) Banned testing on land, outer space and under water.

**Alliance for Progress**

A pledge to distribute 500 mil in assistance to LA countries with a 10 year plan of 6 objectives--1) Increase per capita income 2) Diversify trade 3) Industrialize and increase employment 4) Bring price stability 5) Eliminate adult illiteracy 6) Bring social reform. Failure because not enough money for everyone and program based on a system for a strong middle class (LA did not have that)

Bay of Pigs (D)

(April 1961) Plan to overthrow Castro which relied on stealth, luck, and Cuban population support. Most Cubans would not support it and hated the exiles. It was a disaster—Kennedy last minute decided to not give air support and exiles lacked supplies. Cuban people did not rise. US public relations disaster—violated international law. Castro, although claims success he is still shaken and asks for aid from Soviets → Cuban Missile Crisis.

Operation Mongoose

Publication of anti-Castro political propaganda, armaments for militant opposition groups, the establishment of guerrilla bases throughout the country, and preparations for an October military intervention in Cuba. Many individual plans were devised by the CIA to assassinate Castro.

**Cuban Missile Crisis (D)**

(October 1962) U-2 Spy plane took photos of a medium range ICBM site in Cuba. Televised, JFK announces a quarantine on Cuba. USSR dispatched a ship heading to Cuba → USA considered this an act of war. Soviets agreed to remove the weapons under UN supervision.

**Intervention in Dominican Republic (D)**

(April 1965) Sent 22,000 troops to the Dominican to maintain pro-US gov there. (Ex. of Mann Doctrine).