C4 Flashcards
What was kennedy’s programme of reform
The new frontier which tackle poverty, inequality and deprivation democrats
Elected in November 1960
Lots of support from younger people
Faced problems in 1950s: issues of civil rights, urban decline linked to unemployment , rising crime rate , USA’s role in world affairs (vietnam)
Proposed ambitious programme of reforms
What did the new frontier do for civil rights?
Kennedy appointed Thurgood Marshall as America’s first black federal judge
Introduced civil rights bill
James Meredith Mississippi as first black student
Whet did the New Frontier do for the economy ?
900 million public works programmes for roads and public buildings
Increased spending on defence and space technology which created jobs
Cut taxes to encourage people to buy goods
Why did the New Frontier do for social reform?
Proposed introducing Medicare -cheap system of state health care insurance
Social security act 1962 - financial help for elderly and unemployed
Area development act 1961- loans and granted to states with long term unemployment
Housing act 1961 gave cheap loans for redevelopment of inner cities
What happened to Kennedy after reform programme
Opposition in congress for all his charm and charisma , failed to get enough support from senators and bills were rejected
Assassinated in 1963 and was unable to complete the programme so hopes for nation were destroyed
Aimed to get an education act passed to inject more money for schools especially in poverty stricken areas
Succeeded in increasing social security and raising minimum wage, successful in setting training schemes for unemployed
What were the domestic policies of Johnson focused on?
Great society declared war on poverty to make America a country with high living standards and a sense of community
What did the great society do for civil rights
Civil rights act in 194 which banned discrimination
Set up equal opportunities commission
Voting rights act in 1965 for fair voting procedures
In 1967 ban on mixed marriages was lifted
What did the great society do for the economy ?
He cut taxes to encourage people to spend, help businesses grow and create jobs
Improved railways and highways
Gave federal funds to help depressed areas such as Appalachian’s
What did great society do for social reform
Medical care art in 1965 which provided Medicare for cold and Medicaid for poor
Elementary and secondary education act in 1965 provided first ever federal funding for state education
Model cities act in 1965 targeted urban renewal and slum clearance
Minimum wage increased
Provided funding for education and community projects in inner cities
What did Nixon do?
Republican elected as president in 1969 and 1972
Johnson presidency —> violent protests over civil rights, anti Vietnam which would be brutally put down
Nixon dealt with most problems to do with law and order
Wanted to end americas involvement in the Vietnam war and cut federal government expenditure
Exploited previous governments failure to withdraw from Vietnam
Did not reverse civil rights legislation and most healthcare reforms stayed as congress has a democrat majority
Appealed to middle classes who did not favour reform
Saw first man on the moon in 1969 which was administered by Kennedy
First us president to resuming
When was the watergate scandal
1972
When did Nixon resign
August 1974 because of watergate scandal
Watergate scandal
In 1972 Nixon set up creep - commission to reflect the president
17th June five members of creep arrested for breaking into the watergate offices of the Democratic Party and trying to plant listening devices
Nixon ordered cover up and denied any knowledge of the incident won a landslide victory for reelection
In jan 1973 watergate burglars went on trial and convicted. Nixon denied cover up
Senate select committee to investigate
March —> i million hush money given to burglars
30th April 1973 his top advisers Bob Haldeman and John Erlichman resigned
25 June his sacked lawyer, John Dean testified to Senate Watergate Committee there had been a cover up and he tells television he is innocent
Revealed that presidents conversations ha been taped but he refused to hand them over
21 nov tapes handed over but some missing with gaps so he blames secretary
30 April 1974 forces to hand over unedited tapes showing he had lied through investigation
Congress decided to impeach him
8 august he resigned to avoid impeachment and humiliation
6 sep ford pardoned Nixon for his scandal part
What were the effects of the watergate scandal
Showed strength of the US constitution -systems of checks and balances brought down a corrupt president
Resulted in reduction of powers of government -setting limits on election contribution , controlling the presidents ability to declare war , what money spent on
Undermined peoples confidence in politics and politicians
Destroyed Nixon’s reputation gave him the name “tricky dicky
Damaged USA’s reputation abroad , USSR said it was an example of corrupt capitalist system
Helped democrats win next election jimmy carter who people were warmed to because he was not a national political figure , and he restored faith by including more black women and Americans in government more than before
Carter not very successful and criticised for how he dealt with Iran. Hostage crisis in 1979
Led to freedom of information act which made it easier for people to obtain official governments and see what the government was up to
What were Ronald Reagan’ a policies
1980 Reagan defeated carter to become president
Several economic problems - high inflation (15%), rising unemployment ( 7.5% , high budget deficit , world recession
Introduced economic reforms known as Reaganomics which was also known as the hands off policy
Slashed income taxes by 33 billion largest tax cut in history hoping to encourage people to spend and create jobs while reducing social welfare
Slashed welfare programmes by 20 billion a year for 3 years retuned to idea of rugged individualism
Cut taxes at a time when government expenditure increases which caused the national debt to grow
In1987 was the worst stock market crash since 1929 and USA began to edge into recession
Spent 26 billion on Star Wars and this was the defence system that would put a giant shield in space to protect the USA from a nuclear attack
