1960 Presidential Election Flashcards
1
Q
What were Nixon and Kennedy’s strengths in the 1960 election?
A
Nixon:
- 13 years experience in Congress including 8 as vice
- staunch anti-communist
- extensive foreign policy
Kennedy:
- war hero
- young, handsome, tall
- 13 years experience in Congress including 7 in senate
2
Q
How did Kennedy attempt to address his weaknesses?
A
- addressed his Catholicism which threatened to derail his campaign in the ‘Bible Belt’ (Protestant leanings of Southern states)
- promised a solid commitment to the separation of the church and state
- despite this, psephologists believe this cost him 1.5million votes
3
Q
Why did Kennedy win the election?
A
- placed a call to MLK’s wife whilst he was imprisoned during a sit-in in Atlanta in attempt to win the black vote (ended up winning it 70:30)
- during the first ever televised debate, Kennedy stood out in blue whilst Nixon blended in in grey - Nixon also recovering from flu so looked sweaty and stubbly
- radio listeners thought Nixon narrowly won, but the larger population of TV watchers thought Kennedy won by a mile
4
Q
What economic policies were in the ‘New Frontier’?
A
- Housing Act that created 420,000 construction jobs
- increased minimum wage putting $175million into workers’ pockets
- $200million on extra welfare benefits that applied to 750,000 children
- $780million in increased unemployment benefits helped 3million unemployed Americans get back on their feet
5
Q
What policies impacted workers in the ‘New Frontier’?
A
- 1962 Executive Order provided federal employees with collective bargaining rights
- 1962 Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act which established standards for working hours and safety
- 1961 Fair Labor Standards Act Programmes placed young people in jobs and training to prevent them being underpaid in the service and retail industries
6
Q
What welfare policies were in the ‘New Frontier’?
A
- social security benefits were increased by 20%
- School Lunch Act provided free lunches and milk for poor school children
- food stamp programme introduced which fed a quarter of a million people
- increased funding for foster care and the disabled
7
Q
What health policies were in the ‘New Frontier’?
A
- Medicare: new universal healthcare bill for the elderly
- funding for nursing homes and healthcare for migrant workers
- 1963 Social Security Act vaccinated millions of children
- 1963 Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act tightened federal regulations on therapeutic drugs
