Liberalism & The 1960's

Module Overview

  • Feedback received on the length of lectures led to restructuring into two sessions:

    • Decline of Liberalism

    • Establishment and Growth of the New Right

Understanding the Political Spectrum

  • Political Spectrum Overview:

    • Left (Liberals): Primarily represented by the Democratic Party.

      • Favor government intervention to support the American populace.

      • Example: The New Deal is a key historical reference.

    • Right (Conservatives): Primarily represented by the Republican Party.

      • Favor free markets and private organizations as primary assistance for citizens.

  • Importance of Politics in Social Impact:

    • Political developments in the 1960s and 70s shaped long-lasting effects on contemporary society.

The 1960s Politics

  • Liberal Consensus (1955-1963):

    • Both parties (Republicans and Democrats) united on key issues:

      • Anti-communism during the Second Red Scare.

      • Emphasis on American capitalism and the belief in unlimited economic growth.

      • Misconception that poverty was eliminated following World War II.

    • Bipartisan compromises:

      • Liberals became tougher on foreign policy.

      • Conservatives softened their stance on New Deal welfare policies.

  • Media Transformation in Politics:

    • 1960 Presidential Debates: First televised debates between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy.

    • Changed public engagement in politics.

    • Allowed voters to view candidates' policies and personas live, enhancing information access compared to prior reliance on radio/newspapers.

    • Electoral Significance:

    • The 1960 election resulted in a very narrow victory:

      • Electoral vote: Kennedy won; Popular vote: Nearly 50-50 split, indicating a divided electorate.

John F. Kennedy's New Frontier

  • Inaugural Address (1961):

    • Emphasized a new activism and sophisticated economic understanding.

    • Domestic:

      • More sophisticated sense of economics (relies on experts)

      • Emphasis on social welfare programs: Bigger and Better New Deal

      • Implement economic stimulus programs.

    • Flexible Response (Foreign):

      • Cold War policies and the space program

    • 10 Goals of the New Frontier:

      • Economy – Economic stimulus program through Congress in an effort to kick-start the American economy – Minimum Wage increased, Trade Expansion Act

      • Taxation – “One of the best ways to bolster the economy was to cut taxes.” – JFK

      • Education – Office of Education called it “the most significant legislative period in its hundred-year history.”

      • Welfare – Social Security, unemployment, Housing

      • Civil Rights – Voter Education Project, anti-poll tax amendment, Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity (CEEO), used Interstate Commerce Commission—Jim Crow illegal in interstate transportation, Federal jobs for African Americans

      • Health – Mental Health, proposed Medicare (but failed)

      • Equal Rights for Women – President’s Commission on the Status of Women, chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt. Look into equality for women in education, in the workplace, and under the law.

      • Crime – Organized Crime

      • Moon

      • Defense – Peace Corps, Alliance for Progress

New Frontier Successes

  • Housing Act

    • Calls for urban renewal (rebuilding inner cities)

  • Social Security

    • Increase benefits

  • Minimum Wage

    • Raise minimum wage

  • Peace Corps

    • Launches Peace Corps (educational and tech services to underdeveloped countries)

  • The Moon

    • Many historians believe his moon project was his biggest success

  • President’s Commission on the Status of Women (Eleanor Roosevelt)

  • 1963 Report exposes the widespread gender discrimination and salary disparities

Lyndon Johnson

  • “The Great Society” or the “War on Poverty”

  • President of the “Liberal Consensus”

    • Recognized cracks in liberal consensus

    • The Other America – Michael Harrington

  • The Mission: Five Goals

    • Poverty: Getting rid of poverty “War on poverty”

    • Cities: Clean up cities (inner city housing, infrastructure, mass transportation)

    • Environment

    • Education

    • Civil Rights

  • Civil Rights Program Initiatives:

    • Implementation of voter education projects and anti-poll tax amendments.

    • Establishment of the Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity to combat discrimination in workplaces.

    • The Interstate Commerce Commission was used to undermine Jim Crow laws in interstate transportation.

    • Attempted improvements in mental health and Medicare, though largely unsuccessful.

  • Women's Rights Advocacy:

    • The President's Commission on the Status of Women, led by Eleanor Roosevelt.

    • Focused on equality regarding education, workplace issues, and legal matters.

Law & Order (1960s & 1970s)

  • Definition: A political slogan emphasizing public safety, crime prevention, and traditional values.

  • Richard Nixon: Made "Law and Order" a defining platform and used it as a political strategy to win votes in 1968 and 1972.

  • Objectives: Emphasized restoring order, punishing crime, and supporting police.

  • Rhetoric: Linked crime to moral decline and drug use.

  • Legacy: Became a core theme of American conservatism.

  • Space Program Initiatives:

    • Aiming to land a man on the moon was perceived as a key competitive element against the Soviet Union.