Upload
mark-carter
View
215
Download
1
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
THE STORMY ’60S
Chapter 38
Kennedy’s “New Frontier” Spirit
JFK is the youngest President elected, World War II hero, Harvard educated, from a wealthy family
Cabinet is young, mostly Harvard educated, called his “brain trust”
Brother Bobby is Attorney General
Wants to be a more active president, calls his vision for America the New Frontier
Kennedy inspires idealism Peace Corps is an army of idealistic
volunteers that bring “first world” skills to Third World countries
The New Frontier At Home JFK had only a narrow Democratic
majority in Congress; hard to get proposals through Congress
Kennedy has problem with conservative Southern Democrats
Most of his social legislation is axed by Congress
Kennedy’s disputes with Big Business They see him as unfriendly Kennedy does cut taxes though Announces project to put a man on the
Moon. Costs 24 billion, but was successful in
1969.
Rumblings In Europe June 1961 Kennedy meets
with Khrushchev in Vienna Berlin Dispute Khrushchev threatens to
cut off Western access to Berlin to keep population of Berlin from going to democratic West
1961 begins construction of Berlin Wall
Becomes symbol of Soviet domination and repression of E. Europe
Stubborn French Kennedy European tariff
policy He cut tariffs up to 50% to
promote trade between Europe and the U.S.
French refuse to participate They fear American
domination of Europe French develop their own
nuclear arsenal and want a Europe free of American influence
“Flexible Response”
With the end of colonization, the newly independent colonies became a headache as they flared into civil wars. Congo Laos
Leads Kennedy to move away from Ike’s “massive retaliation” and to adopt the doctrine of “flexible response” develop an array of military responses that can
be precisely calibrated to the gravity of the crisis.
Kennedy increases military spending and bolstered the special forces.
Stepping into the Vietnam Quagmire Corrupt right-wing, pro-US
government in South Vietnam. Communists in the south, Viet-
Cong, waging guerrilla civil war. Late 1961 Kennedy sharply
increases US military advisors Coup against South Vietnamese
leader. U.S. steps into Vietnam to foster
political stability Kennedy increases military and
economic aid Modernization theory- believed
that traditional societies could develop into industrial, democratic nations by following the Western nations path
Cuban Confrontations
Latin American countries saw the U.S. as a bully
Alliance for Progress Marshall Plan for Latin
America to provide aid for economic development
doesn’t have much effect. Bay of Pigs Invasion
CIA backed plan to topple communist government in Cuba
April 1961 invasion at Bay of Pigs was a failure
Kennedy assumes full responsibility.
Pushed the Cubans further toward the Soviets
Cuban Missile Crisis
Castro pushed into the arms of the Soviets.
October 1962 Khrushchev starts to install nuclear tipped missiles in Cuba
Spy photos reveal the missiles Plan was to keep pressure on the US to
back down on issues in other parts of the world
Kennedy rejects air strike; instead orders a military blockade and demands immediate removal of missiles.
Russian ships and quarantine line Khrushchev finally blinks when he agreed
to a compromise. Pulls missiles out of Cuba US agrees to not attack Cuba and to pull
missiles out of Europe targeted at Soviet Union
Seems to be a clear US victory
Missile Crisis Fallout Khrushchev forced out of power Kremlin begins an aggressive
program of military expansion; New Arms Race
Democrats gain in the midterm elections.
Kennedy begins to push for arms control and greater communications between Russia and the US. Hotline Ban on above-ground nuclear tests
agreed to in 1963 Kennedy urges Americans to live with
the Soviets as they are and find a method of peaceful coexistence. Origins of the policy of Détente.
The Struggle For Civil Rights
Kennedy moved very slowly on Civil Rights Lack of southern
Congressional support Events forced the
President’s hand. Freedom Riders tried to end
segregation in facilities serving bus passengers
After violent incidents federal marshals were sent to protect Freedom Riders
Kennedy works with SCLC to promote civil rights and to register black voters
Civil Rights Violence Integrating Southern
universities. Kennedy forced to send in 3000
troops. Spring 1963 King begins a
campaign against discrimination in Birmingham.
Police reaction Attacked protesters with dogs and
fire hoses All seen on TVs across the country
June 11, 1963 Kennedy responds. Calls for new Civil Rights legislation Calls problem a moral issue
I Have a Dream
Medger Evers black civil rights worker is killed
August 1963, March on Washington and King’s “I have a Dream” Speech
September 1963 bombing of black Birmingham church kills 4 black girls at Sunday School
Kennedy’s Civil Rights Bill was making little headway and many African Americans were growing impatient
THE KILLING OF KENNEDY
November 22, 1963 Kennedy is shot in Dallas
Johnson takes over as president
The LBJ Brand On The Presidency
Lyndon Johnson was profane, earthy, vain, idealistic
Master politician; former Senate Majority Leader in the Senate.
Johnson’s Great Society Johnson puts power behind Civil
Rights Bill. Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Prohibits discrimination in facilities open to the public
Strengthened power to end segregation in schools
Created federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Prevents both race and gender discrimination.
Southern Senators try to kill with a lengthy filibuster.
Johnson launches a billion dollar war on poverty designed to help those not yet getting the benefits of America’s vast wealth. Dubbed the Great Society Program. Medicare/Medicade central pillar New Deal type economic and welfare
measures designed to free Americans from poverty and social injustice
Johnson Battles Goldwater In 1964
Johnson is easily nominated in 1964; runs on a very liberal platform.
Republicans nominate Senator Barry Goldwater very, very conservative. Strongly anti-red, strongly anti-New
Deal. Believes in small national government
(Jeffersonian) Wanted American field commanders
to have authority to use tactical nukes in the battle field.
Johnson convinces national that Goldwater “scary” “In your heart you know he’s right” vs.
“In your gut you know he’s nuts” Johnson wins biggest landslide in US
history.
Tonkin Gulf Resolution
Tonkin Gulf incident August 1964 Johnson calls attack by North Vietnamese
on U.S. Navy ship unprovoked Orders air raids on North Vietnam Johnson uses to get Tonkin Gulf Resolution from
Congress Consequences?
Gives the president a virtual blank check to use force in Southeast Asia against the North Vietnamese.
Gives Johnson discretion to widen the war, which he does after the election.
The Great Society Congress
Johnson has 2-1 democratic majority in both houses of Congress.
Legislative slate passed by Johnson after the 1964 election was comparable to FDR’s 100-days.
Sweeping package of social reform and new aid to the poor and down-trodden.
Continues the war on poverty Created the Dept. of Transportation
and Housing and Urban Development. Names the first Black cabinet
secretary—Robert Weaver Creates national Endowment for the
Arts
Legislative Landmarks Four legislative achievements at heart of
Great Society: Federal Aid to Education Medicare for the Elderly/Medicaid for the Poor Immigration Reform Voting Rights Act
Medicare and Medicaid provide medical insurance at governmental expense for elderly and poor
Medicare and Medicaid join social security and unemployment insurance as part of social safety net
Despite critics poverty did decline and general health conditions improved for many Americans
Voting Rights Act In 1964 Voting Rights becomes
the main goal of civil rights movement.
Passage of 24th Amendment Freedom Summer of 1964 was a
massive voter registration drive in Mississippi
Three civil rights workers were murdered
MLK resumed voter registration drive in AL, “March to Selma”
Voting Rights Act of 1965. Johnson sends in federal officials
to oversee voter registration. Over the next 25 years totally
transforms the south because blacks are voting.
Black Power Voting Rights Act ends era of non-violence for
civil rights movement Civil Right movement moves north and out of
the control of MLK, becomes more militant and violent
1965—Watts riots. New voices advocate confrontation, violence
and separatism. Malcolm X Stokely Carmichael Black Panthers
Riots across the US in 1967, all shown on TV Many white Americans become outraged Civil Rights Movement increasingly focuses on
economic demands MLK assassinated in 1968; wisest black voice
gone.
Vietnam Escalation 1965 Johnson escalates the
war Operation Rolling Thunder Starts bombing and the use of
troops on the ground. War becomes Americanized By end of 1965, 184,000
America troops; 1968 almost 500,000
Believes American escalation will show US resolve and north will back down.
Believes in domino theory The fall of one non-communist
state would cause neighboring countries to become communist as well
US casualties start to mount, end is nowhere in sight
Vietnam Vexations World opinion was turning against
the US Hawks vs. Doves
Appeared that US was beating up a third-world nation over US zeal to spank communism.
Made it harder for US to respond elsewhere Six Day War (Israel and Egypt)
Led to a lot of domestic discontent. Many blamed Johnson. Major protests in San Francisco, New
York and on college campuses. Anti-war demonstrations gradually
mounted on campuses. Draft resisters flee to Canada, burn draft
cards, burn flags
Quagmire By late 1960s opposition to the war was
hardening. 1966-1967 Fulbright hearings. Public feels increasingly misled about the war
and ability to win. By 1968 had become the longest and most
unpopular foreign war in US history. Government had failed to adequately explain
why we were fighting there and/or what was at stake.
Johnson, orders the CIA to spy on American anti-war activists.
FBI turns against peace groups Johnson stubbornly continues to assert that
victory is just around the corner.
Vietnam Topples Johnson
Jan. 1968 Tet offensive Political and psychological
victory for the Viet Cong Military demands 200,000
more troops. Johnson challenged from
within his party by Eugene McCarthy and Robert Kennedy.
March 1968 Johnson’s announcement he would not run for the presidency
1968 Election Chaos
Hubert Humphrey front-runner for the democratic nomination.
Strong challenge from Robert Kennedy.
June 1968 Kennedy assassinated after primary victory in California
Convention Chaos
1968 Democratic convention in Chicago in chaos. Democrats were bitter, divided and angry over the death of
Kennedy, the war, etc. Many young, radical, anti war protester showed up to vent their
frustration The Chicago police and demonstrators clashed outside of the
convention Democrats came off looking like a disorganized, fratricidal mob. Humphrey wins the nomination on the first ballot.
Richard Nixon and George Wallace
Republicans nominate Richard Nixon who is running as a conservative-moderate.
Platform Tough on crime, , “hawk” on
Vietnam Supported by white, conservative
southern Democrats George Wallace American Independent Party. Wallace ardently anti-integration
“Segregation Now, Segregation tomorrow, Segregation forever.”
Victory For Nixon Nixon and Humphrey have similar policies on VN.
No real choice between the two. As a result, many doves sat out the election because no
standard-bearer for their views. Nixon wins by half a percentage point without
carrying a single major city and with no coat-tails.
Both houses of Congress remain Democratic. Democrats win 95% of the black vote.
Nixon wins only 43% of the vote because Wallace had siphoned off votes from both. No mandate.
Wallace wins 46 electoral votes from the deep south. Largest third-party electoral vote in American history.
Cultural Upheaval
1960s become a dividing line of two different era of morals, values and behavior
Vietnam, Civil Rights Struggle and materialism undermine faith of youth in government and “establishment”
Roots in the 1950s among the “beats” who voiced disillusionment with material pursuits
Division also appeared between more educated and less educated Americans
Idea of shared purpose seemed to be losing its grip
Cultural Upheaval
Organized students movements against established authority 1964 Free Speech movement in
Berkley 1968 Students for Democratic
Society were anti-war and anti poverty; eventually became a domestic terrorist group the Weather Underground
Many young people became political and cultural rebels
Many protests fueled by outrage over Vietnam
Became opposed to traditional American values, developed their own counterculture
Sexual Revolution (development of birth control?) , gay rights also became issues at this time