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.