The Stormy SixtiesThe Stormy Sixties

Chapter 38Chapter 38

By: Tommy NicolellaBy: Tommy Nicolella

Kennedy’s New FrontierKennedy’s New Frontier

John F. Kennedy was inaugurated in 1961John F. Kennedy was inaugurated in 1961 He brought in glamour and vitality by having one of the He brought in glamour and vitality by having one of the

youngest cabinets in U.S. History as well as himself being youngest cabinets in U.S. History as well as himself being the youngest elected president at the timethe youngest elected president at the time

His brother, Robert Kennedy, was appointed Attorney His brother, Robert Kennedy, was appointed Attorney General who focused the FBI’s attention on mostly internal General who focused the FBI’s attention on mostly internal security and organized crimesecurity and organized crime

JFK’s JFK’s New FrontierNew Frontier brought on high expectations from the brought on high expectations from the public public

Helped please those expectations by warming the cold war Helped please those expectations by warming the cold war with the with the Peace CorpsPeace Corps

Kennedy was well liked by the younger crowd and was Kennedy was well liked by the younger crowd and was infectious, confident, vibrant, a Harvard grad (along with infectious, confident, vibrant, a Harvard grad (along with most of his cabinet), and also irishmost of his cabinet), and also irish

The New Frontier at HomeThe New Frontier at Home

JFK’s New Frontier tried to push for medical assistance for JFK’s New Frontier tried to push for medical assistance for the elders and federal aid to education causing southern the elders and federal aid to education causing southern Democrats to threaten to join with republicans to fight Democrats to threaten to join with republicans to fight these billsthese bills

JFK pushed an expansion of the House Rules Committee to JFK pushed an expansion of the House Rules Committee to get a more cooperative congress which worked however his get a more cooperative congress which worked however his bills remained stalled in congressbills remained stalled in congress

To help stimulate the economy he negotiated a To help stimulate the economy he negotiated a noninflationary wage agreement with the steel industry noninflationary wage agreement with the steel industry which he had to force on stingy steel leaderswhich he had to force on stingy steel leaders

JFK also helped stimulate the space race against the soviets JFK also helped stimulate the space race against the soviets by funding the multibillion by funding the multibillion ApolloApollo missions to the moon missions to the moon making Americans seem powerful and advanced on a making Americans seem powerful and advanced on a global stage once achieved global stage once achieved

Rumblings in EuropeRumblings in Europe

The Soviets tried to threaten the U.S. by proposing a treaty The Soviets tried to threaten the U.S. by proposing a treaty with east Germany but were bluffingwith east Germany but were bluffing

Instead built the Instead built the Berlin wallBerlin wall to stop the population flow to stop the population flow form east Germany and creating a sense of oppression in form east Germany and creating a sense of oppression in Berlin for years to comeBerlin for years to come

Kennedy began to pay attention to western Europe instead Kennedy began to pay attention to western Europe instead with the with the EEC EEC which helped stimulate European Economy by which helped stimulate European Economy by lowering tariffs and promoting Foreign tradelowering tariffs and promoting Foreign trade

Also U.S. policymakers wanted to have an economic and Also U.S. policymakers wanted to have an economic and militarily united Atlantic but the French denied to be a part militarily united Atlantic but the French denied to be a part of it due to its distrust of the U.S.of it due to its distrust of the U.S.

Foreign Flare-ups and “Flexible Foreign Flare-ups and “Flexible Response”Response”

Laos was rising to power after America failed to clean up Laos was rising to power after America failed to clean up the country by just spewing money into it, Laos was the country by just spewing money into it, Laos was becoming more communist also with support from USSRbecoming more communist also with support from USSR

JFK did not feel he should send troops and instead tried to JFK did not feel he should send troops and instead tried to fix things with the Geneva convention setting up a shaky fix things with the Geneva convention setting up a shaky peace in Laospeace in Laos

These “Brushfire Wars” only put pressure on the These “Brushfire Wars” only put pressure on the administration making Kennedy result to “Flexible administration making Kennedy result to “Flexible Response” by developing an array of military options that Response” by developing an array of military options that can grasp the situation at handcan grasp the situation at hand

The Green Berets were a result of this, they were an special The Green Berets were a result of this, they were an special forces unit created to be able to live off of anything and kill forces unit created to be able to live off of anything and kill efficientlyefficiently

Stepping into the Vietnam Stepping into the Vietnam QuagmireQuagmire

Flexible Response only showed how diplomacy can lead to Flexible Response only showed how diplomacy can lead to shooting and how force can be easily stepped upshooting and how force can be easily stepped up

Ngo Dihn Diem of Saigon was a shaky ruler in vietnam and Ngo Dihn Diem of Saigon was a shaky ruler in vietnam and was in trouble of being toppled, U.S. troops entered to help was in trouble of being toppled, U.S. troops entered to help allow basic social reform before forming a coup against himallow basic social reform before forming a coup against him

The U.S. did not want to be involved in Vietnam but the The U.S. did not want to be involved in Vietnam but the were deeply invested in there politicallywere deeply invested in there politically

““Modernization Theory” Developed at this time which was Modernization Theory” Developed at this time which was the theory that underdeveloped countries can develop into the theory that underdeveloped countries can develop into economic powers by following Western wayseconomic powers by following Western ways

Cuban ConfrontationsCuban Confrontations

Latin America began to fear and resent America’s power as Latin America began to fear and resent America’s power as they made poor negotiations in the Alliance of Progress to they made poor negotiations in the Alliance of Progress to help stop the threat of communismhelp stop the threat of communism

The U.S. also tried to topple Fidel Castros dictatorship in The U.S. also tried to topple Fidel Castros dictatorship in Cuba with the Cuba with the Bay of Pigs InvasionBay of Pigs Invasion which ultimately which ultimately failedfailed

The Soviets saw their chance at this invasion to go and The Soviets saw their chance at this invasion to go and install nuclear weapons in Cuba and pointing them at the install nuclear weapons in Cuba and pointing them at the U.S. along with Battleships agitating war in the U.S. along with Battleships agitating war in the Cuban Cuban Missile Crisis Missile Crisis

Russia eventually backed down and Kennedy later made a Russia eventually backed down and Kennedy later made a pact to stop nuclear testingpact to stop nuclear testing

The Struggles for Civil The Struggles for Civil RightsRights

JFK Gained huge support from African American votes JFK Gained huge support from African American votes although he was very slow at first to make any progress in although he was very slow at first to make any progress in civil rights due to lack of support from the southern legislationcivil rights due to lack of support from the southern legislation

Black protests began to spring up with sit ins and Black protests began to spring up with sit ins and Freedom Freedom Riders Riders on buses which were frequently attacked by angry on buses which were frequently attacked by angry whites causing federal marshalls to come protect themwhites causing federal marshalls to come protect them

MLK and JFK had a good relationship and influenced the MLK and JFK had a good relationship and influenced the Kennedy’s to make the Kennedy’s to make the Voter Education Project Voter Education Project to to stimulate black voting percentagesstimulate black voting percentages

Universities in the south were strongly opposing integration Universities in the south were strongly opposing integration especially at Ole Miss when James Meredith tried to enroll especially at Ole Miss when James Meredith tried to enroll Forcing Kennedy to send troops just so he can sign up for his Forcing Kennedy to send troops just so he can sign up for his first classfirst class

ContinuedContinued

Also MLK led protests in Birmingham Alabama, the most Also MLK led protests in Birmingham Alabama, the most segregated big city in the U.S.segregated big city in the U.S.

This caused huge riots and retaliation against the This caused huge riots and retaliation against the protesters including attack dogs and high pressured fire protesters including attack dogs and high pressured fire hoseshoses

This caused Kennedy to propose his civil rights legislation This caused Kennedy to propose his civil rights legislation and the and the March on WashingtonMarch on Washington in support of the bill, led in support of the bill, led by MLK where he made his famous “I have a dream” by MLK where he made his famous “I have a dream” speechspeech

The Killing of KennedyThe Killing of Kennedy

John F. Kennedy was Assassinated on November 22, 1963 John F. Kennedy was Assassinated on November 22, 1963 allegedly by Lee Harvey Oswald, who was also killed on allegedly by Lee Harvey Oswald, who was also killed on National TV by self appointed avenger Jack rubyNational TV by self appointed avenger Jack ruby

These bizarre series of events led to many conspiracy These bizarre series of events led to many conspiracy theories that still float around todaytheories that still float around today

LBJ was promptly sworn in after the tragedy and he kept LBJ was promptly sworn in after the tragedy and he kept most of the administratorsmost of the administrators

John F. Kennedy is remembered for his ideals and his John F. Kennedy is remembered for his ideals and his charisma more than his concrete policies and also for charisma more than his concrete policies and also for ending the myth that you can’t trust a catholicending the myth that you can’t trust a catholic

The LBJ Brand on the The LBJ Brand on the PresidencyPresidency

LBJ started his political career in 1937 as a 29 year old LBJ started his political career in 1937 as a 29 year old liberal senator from Texas, he referred to FDR as his liberal senator from Texas, he referred to FDR as his political “daddy” supporting many New Deal programspolitical “daddy” supporting many New Deal programs

LBJ helped use JFK’s death as a means to push the LBJ helped use JFK’s death as a means to push the Civil Civil Rights Act Rights Act through saying that it would be what Kennedy through saying that it would be what Kennedy wantedwanted

He also used Executive order to enforce He also used Executive order to enforce Affirmative Affirmative Action Action against discriminationagainst discrimination

LBJ also made a “War on Poverty” with his LBJ also made a “War on Poverty” with his Great SocietyGreat Society

Examining the EvidenceExamining the Evidence

During the race riots many During the race riots many Newspapers held a bias based on Newspapers held a bias based on where they were from and they’re where they were from and they’re political background causing them to political background causing them to be heavily scrutanized be heavily scrutanized

Johnson Battles Goldwater in Johnson Battles Goldwater in 19641964

Republicans nominated Barry Goldwater to run against LBJ Republicans nominated Barry Goldwater to run against LBJ who was against the federal income tax, the Social Security who was against the federal income tax, the Social Security system, the TVA, civil rights legislation, the nuclear test-ban system, the TVA, civil rights legislation, the nuclear test-ban treaty, and the Societytreaty, and the Society

Democrats exploited Goldwater to be an extremist and Democrats exploited Goldwater to be an extremist and trigger happy for wartrigger happy for war

Meanwhile in Vietnam U.S. Naval ships allegedly attacked Meanwhile in Vietnam U.S. Naval ships allegedly attacked North Vietnamese ships causing shots fired backNorth Vietnamese ships causing shots fired back

LBJ claimed it was unprovoked and ordered limited air raids LBJ claimed it was unprovoked and ordered limited air raids on Vietnamon Vietnam

LBJ eventually won the election 486-52LBJ eventually won the election 486-52https://youtu.be/9Id_r6pNsus

The Great SocietyThe Great Society

Congress poured out a flood of legislation in the new term Congress poured out a flood of legislation in the new term Doubled Appropriation of the office of Economic opportunities Doubled Appropriation of the office of Economic opportunities

to $2 billion and used $1 billion to redevelop poor appalachiato $2 billion and used $1 billion to redevelop poor appalachia Created new cabinet offices the Department of Transportation Created new cabinet offices the Department of Transportation

and the HUDand the HUD Also channeled aid to students not schools to avoid the Also channeled aid to students not schools to avoid the

seperation of church and state subjectseperation of church and state subject Made medicare for the elders and medicaid for the poor Made medicare for the elders and medicaid for the poor

availableavailable Immigration reform was also made with the Immigration and Immigration reform was also made with the Immigration and

Nationality Act of 1965 which abolished “National-Origins Nationality Act of 1965 which abolished “National-Origins quotas” also doubled the amount of immigrants allowed into quotas” also doubled the amount of immigrants allowed into america america

ThemesThemes

Political- Despite JFK’s highest efforts America remained Political- Despite JFK’s highest efforts America remained very politically involved in Vietnam and were liable to be very politically involved in Vietnam and were liable to be drawn into war at anytimedrawn into war at anytime

Social- African Americans avid protests against segregation Social- African Americans avid protests against segregation and JFK’s progressive ideas help establish the Civil Rights and JFK’s progressive ideas help establish the Civil Rights Act and end segregation in the southAct and end segregation in the south

Economic- LBJ’s War on Poverty and Great Society passed Economic- LBJ’s War on Poverty and Great Society passed many new legislation and created new entitlements for the many new legislation and created new entitlements for the poor appropriating billions of dollars toward the programspoor appropriating billions of dollars toward the programs

Battling for Black rightsBattling for Black rights

Black voting remained a huge problem in the south with the Black voting remained a huge problem in the south with the vast majority of the African American population not being vast majority of the African American population not being registered due to poll taxes, literacy tests and threats registered due to poll taxes, literacy tests and threats Mississippi being the worst having only 5% of the population Mississippi being the worst having only 5% of the population registeredregistered

The 24The 24thth Amendment was passed which finally outlawed the Amendment was passed which finally outlawed the poll tax and caused the poll tax and caused the Freedom Summer Freedom Summer in 1964 where in 1964 where many African Americans joyfully registered many African Americans joyfully registered

But events went dark after three civil rights workers turned up But events went dark after three civil rights workers turned up murdered in Mississippi with 21 being tried and none murdered in Mississippi with 21 being tried and none convicted due to a biased white jury also an integrated convicted due to a biased white jury also an integrated Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party was denied access was denied access to the democratic conventionto the democratic convention

MLK held his Selma marches in Alabama which caused more MLK held his Selma marches in Alabama which caused more riots and more deathsriots and more deaths

continuedcontinued

The The Voting Acts Right of 1965Voting Acts Right of 1965 was passed on the 100 was passed on the 100thth anniversary of the ending of the Civil War which ended anniversary of the ending of the Civil War which ended literacy tests on polling and marked a climax in the century literacy tests on polling and marked a climax in the century of segregation and oppression in America of segregation and oppression in America

Black PowerBlack Power

Shortly after Civil rights was achievedShortly after Civil rights was achieved more militantly ways more militantly ways of “protesting” took place with riots in LA, Newark, and of “protesting” took place with riots in LA, Newark, and Detroit took place burning down buildings and looting as Detroit took place burning down buildings and looting as well as 99 deaths combinedwell as 99 deaths combined

Malcolm X became the new voice for young blacks in Malcolm X became the new voice for young blacks in America preaching militant activism and islam, he was America preaching militant activism and islam, he was murdered at a speaking in NYCmurdered at a speaking in NYC

The The Black Panther PartyBlack Panther Party came about boasting weapons came about boasting weapons at gatherings as well as the phrase at gatherings as well as the phrase Black PowerBlack Power in a way in a way to protest against White Americato protest against White America

MLK was murdered April 4,1968 by a sniper where he died MLK was murdered April 4,1968 by a sniper where he died as one of the most influential people in American Historyas one of the most influential people in American History

Combating Communism in Two Combating Communism in Two HemispheresHemispheres

U.S. sends 25,000 troops to Dominican Republic to stabilize U.S. sends 25,000 troops to Dominican Republic to stabilize and prevent a coupand prevent a coup

Viet-Cong began attacking U.S. air bases Viet-Cong began attacking U.S. air bases Operation Rolling Thunder is put into affect where bombing Operation Rolling Thunder is put into affect where bombing

is held regularly as well as 184,000 troops to be sentis held regularly as well as 184,000 troops to be sent Washington tried to justify these harsh attacks by stating Washington tried to justify these harsh attacks by stating

they were protecting democracythey were protecting democracy

Vietnam VexationsVietnam Vexations

U.S. catches backlash from other countries for attacking an U.S. catches backlash from other countries for attacking an underdeveloped country underdeveloped country

Meanwhile Israel wins the Meanwhile Israel wins the Six-Day WarSix-Day War and wins and wins Palestinian territory causing much future problemsPalestinian territory causing much future problems

Many Anti-war demonstrations took place with many people Many Anti-war demonstrations took place with many people skipping the draft by fleeing to Canadaskipping the draft by fleeing to Canada

McNamara ends up leaving the cabinet after huge doubts of McNamara ends up leaving the cabinet after huge doubts of VietnamVietnam

America began to take huge casualties and the public America began to take huge casualties and the public started to lose sight of what we were fighting forstarted to lose sight of what we were fighting for

Vietnam Topples JohnsonVietnam Topples Johnson

Viet-cong Launches the Tet offensive attacking 27 major Viet-cong Launches the Tet offensive attacking 27 major Vietnam cities including the capital, SaigonVietnam cities including the capital, Saigon

America eventually fought back viet-cong but at a huge loss America eventually fought back viet-cong but at a huge loss of life making LBJ to want to send another 200,000 troops of life making LBJ to want to send another 200,000 troops overover

Public opinion on him was dropping rapidly and the amount Public opinion on him was dropping rapidly and the amount of casualties hurt him mentallyof casualties hurt him mentally

After lack of support from the people and his own party he After lack of support from the people and his own party he made an announcement that he was going to freeze to made an announcement that he was going to freeze to troops and slow down the bombings as well as not run for troops and slow down the bombings as well as not run for re-election re-election

The Presidential The Presidential SweepstakesSweepstakes

Robert Kennedy was gaining huge support for candidacy Robert Kennedy was gaining huge support for candidacy until he was assassinated for his pro-Israel Thoughtsuntil he was assassinated for his pro-Israel Thoughts

Hubert Humphry eventually got the nomineeHubert Humphry eventually got the nominee The Republicans Nominate Richard Nixon who appealed to The Republicans Nominate Richard Nixon who appealed to

southern voters and was an in between candidate and was southern voters and was an in between candidate and was pro-victory in Vietnampro-victory in Vietnam

A third party led by former Alabama Governor George C. A third party led by former Alabama Governor George C. Wallace ran a pro-segregation pro-bombing of Vietnam Wallace ran a pro-segregation pro-bombing of Vietnam extremist campaignextremist campaign

However Nixon wins with 43% of the voteHowever Nixon wins with 43% of the vote

The Obituary of Lyndon The Obituary of Lyndon JohnsonJohnson

LBJ was very successful at passing legislation especially LBJ was very successful at passing legislation especially Civil Rights legislation, being the most persistent president Civil Rights legislation, being the most persistent president since Lincoln to do sosince Lincoln to do so

The battles in south Eastern Asia are what dragged him The battles in south Eastern Asia are what dragged him down the mostdown the most

He was constantly stuck in a problem of whether he should He was constantly stuck in a problem of whether he should keep fighting or back downkeep fighting or back down

The Cultural Upheaval of the The Cultural Upheaval of the 1960’s1960’s

The distrust of authority among the younger crowd in The distrust of authority among the younger crowd in America Grew immensely in the 60’s with anti-establishment America Grew immensely in the 60’s with anti-establishment groups and protestsgroups and protests

Old traditional ways were becoming obsolete including a Old traditional ways were becoming obsolete including a major decline in church going and worshipmajor decline in church going and worship

Major individual rights protests came about including Gay Major individual rights protests came about including Gay rights especially in the case of the rights especially in the case of the Stonewall RebellionStonewall Rebellion Gay Gay protestors fought back against copsprotestors fought back against cops

Also Also SDSSDS turned from anti-war campaigners to an turned from anti-war campaigners to an underground terrorist group by decades endunderground terrorist group by decades end

Also Drug use and addiction became very prevalent during Also Drug use and addiction became very prevalent during this time as well as sex with the birth control pill stimulating this time as well as sex with the birth control pill stimulating America’s sex driveAmerica’s sex drive

Varying ViewpointsVarying Viewpoints

Argued that Black Power groups Argued that Black Power groups actually embodied MLK’s thinkingactually embodied MLK’s thinking

The Great Society did more damage The Great Society did more damage than goodthan good

Anti-War Campaigns actually Anti-War Campaigns actually stimulated political awarenessstimulated political awareness

Chapter ThemesChapter Themes

Political- The legislation passed by LBJ for civil Political- The legislation passed by LBJ for civil rights finally boosted African American voting and rights finally boosted African American voting and contributed to an end to a segregated southcontributed to an end to a segregated south

Social- America’s counter culture contrasted the Social- America’s counter culture contrasted the old ways of thinking and embodied a new anti-old ways of thinking and embodied a new anti-authority state of mind that lasted in young authority state of mind that lasted in young generations for decadesgenerations for decades

Economic- New civil rights laws contributed to Economic- New civil rights laws contributed to new markets for African Americans to join and new markets for African Americans to join and acquire new jobs with help from affirmative actionacquire new jobs with help from affirmative action

Cause and effectCause and effect

Cause: The brutal riots in Birmingham protests Cause: The brutal riots in Birmingham protests caused by discrimination and opposition from the caused by discrimination and opposition from the police police

Effect: This led to the first draft of the Civil Rights Effect: This led to the first draft of the Civil Rights Act and the march on Washington in support of this Act and the march on Washington in support of this new legislationnew legislation

Cause: Communism was beginning to creep into Cause: Communism was beginning to creep into Vietnam that America desperately tried to make Vietnam that America desperately tried to make democraticdemocratic

Effect: Bombings and thousands of casualties in Effect: Bombings and thousands of casualties in the Vietnam war in a failed attempt to stop itthe Vietnam war in a failed attempt to stop it

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What was the purpose of MLK’s What was the purpose of MLK’s march on Washington?march on Washington?

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What earlier economic legislation What earlier economic legislation helped influence LBJ’s Great Society?helped influence LBJ’s Great Society?

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What were the reasons that LBJ What were the reasons that LBJ decided not to run for re-election?decided not to run for re-election?

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Who became the new voice for the Who became the new voice for the younger African Americans after younger African Americans after MLK?MLK?

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How did the Berlin wall come about?How did the Berlin wall come about?