HRY104Chapter29presentation

Contesting Futures: America in the 1960s

  • President Lyndon Johnson signed the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

The 1960s

  • Portrait of John F. Kennedy (1970):

    • Painted by Aaron Shikler at Jacqueline Kennedy's request, seven years after JFK's assassination.

    • Depictions include JFK with arms folded and his head down, omitting his eyes.

Cold War Continuation

  • Impact on American Society:

    • The Cold War heavily influenced American life in the 1950s, creating a dominant bipolar world between the USA and the USSR.

    • Instilled a culture of fear and conformity due to the Communist threat.

    • Religious Revival: Fear of communism heightened religious sentiments.

JFK Learning Objectives

  • By the end of the section, students should:

    • Assess Kennedy's Cold War strategy.

    • Describe his contributions to the civil rights movement.

    • Evaluate his presidency.

The Kennedy Promise

  • Character and Influence:

    • Represented youth, glamour, and optimism in America.

    • Fought against the conformity of the 1950s with his vision of a "New Frontier".

John F. Kennedy - Overview

  • Background:

    • The son of Joseph P. Kennedy, a war hero, and a U.S. Senator.

    • Elected during the Democratic National Convention of 1960.

Kennedy's Style and Charisma

  • First televised presidential debate in 1960 illustrated JFK's style; Nixon appeared less appealing.

The 1960 Campaign

  • Running Mate:

    • Lyndon B. Johnson was chosen to balance Kennedy's support in the South.

Election Results (1960)

  • Electoral Votes:

    • Kennedy received 303 electoral votes while Nixon secured 219.

  • Popular Vote: Close tally showcasing a divided electorate: Kennedy (49.7%) vs. Nixon (49.6%).

New Frontier Initiative

  • Memorialized in Kennedy's inaugural address with strong patriotic calls to action.

    • Goals included addressing poverty and winning the space race.

  • Faced political obstacles due to narrow victory and limited support from the southern Democrats.

Space Exploration

  • Ambitions: Protecting free world interests and advancing military technology.

    • Alan Shepard became the first American in space on May 5, 1961, during the Freedom 7 mission.

Flexible Military Options

  • Strategy evolved into flexible responses, including counterinsurgency.

    • Use of special forces like the Green Berets.

Cuba and the Bay of Pigs Fiasco (1961)

  • Cuban Context:

    • Proximity to Florida and the rise of Castro led to the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion.

    • Seen as a significant foreign policy failure for JFK.

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

  • Discovery of missile sites in Cuba escalated tensions, leading to a naval quarantine.

    • Public nervousness about potential nuclear conflict heightened.

Lessons from the Cuban Missile Crisis

  • Key lessons highlighted include:

    • Need for clearer diplomacy vs. military ultimatums.

    • Flaws in intelligence interpretations.

    • Understanding Kremlin's motives.

Vietnam Context

  • U.S. intervention following the French exit in Indochina was rooted in the Domino Theory.

    • Increased commitment under Kennedy amid faltering South Vietnamese government.

Civil Rights Adjustments Under Kennedy

  • Concerns about the civil rights movement's impact on Southern Democratic support.

  • The introduction of the 24th Amendment aimed at combating voter discrimination.

Tragedy in Dallas

  • Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, led to widespread shock and ensuing conspiracy theories.

LBJ Learning Objectives

  • Focus on his Great Society achievements, civil rights advances, and Vietnam commitments.

Lyndon B. Johnson Overview

  • Johnson's political mastery and commitment to social reform marked his presidency, viewed as both a conservative southerner and a domestic liberal.

Johnson's Legislative Strategies

  • The Johnson Treatment: Employed persuasive techniques to advance his political agenda.

The Great Society

  • Aimed to combat discrimination and poverty through various reforms including urban redevelopment and environmental legislation.

Education Reforms Under Johnson

  • The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 marked significant federal involvement in educational improvement.

Consumer and Environmental Protections

  • Significant legislation aimed at improving public safety and environmental standards.

Changes to Immigration Laws (1965)

  • The Immigration and Nationality Act was designed to mitigate discrimination in immigration policies.

War on Poverty Initiatives

  • Major acts included the Economic Opportunity Act and the establishment of the Head Start program.

Medicare Creation

  • Establishment of Medicare marked a pivotal moment in healthcare for the elderly in America.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

  • Banned discrimination and sought to end segregation, establishing a foundation for further civil rights legislation.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

  • Introduced to eliminate barriers to voting for African Americans; critical in empowering civil rights activism.

Vietnam Escalation

  • The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution escalated military commitment in Vietnam without formal war declaration.

Tet Offensive

  • A turning point in public opinion regarding the Vietnam War, showcasing the ineffectiveness of U.S. military strategy.

Johnson's Re-election Decision

  • Marked by heightened challenges post-Tet Offensive, Johnson chose not to seek re-election in 1968.

Legacy of Vietnam War

  • Resulted in social and political upheaval, deeply affecting American society and governance.

Reevaluation of the Great Society

  • The Vietnam War's impact severely strained the resources and political will behind the Great Society programs.

The Civil Rights Movement Continues

  • Understanding key movements such as Black Power and the involvement of marginalized groups plays a critical role.

Freedom Riders and Grassroots Movements

  • Direct actions like the Freedom Rides were pivotal in challenging segregation and advancing civil rights.

March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom

  • A landmark event in civil rights activism, uniting a diverse coalition advocating for racial and economic justice.

Mississippi Burning/Freedom Summer

  • Highlighted the tragic and violent challenges faced by civil rights workers in the South.

Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination

  • Sparked national riots and reaffirmed the urgency of civil rights and social justice causes.

Black Power Movement

  • Figures like Stokely Carmichael emerged, advocating for a more assertive stance on racial issues.

Women's Rights Movement

  • Activism spurred by figures like Betty Friedan led to the formation of NOW, with a focus on broader social justice and equality.