Century Video Pt. 4: Flashcards
Kennedy vs. Nixon on TV:
- Young candidates —> Kennedy the canidate of the Next generation
- Navy Veteran
- Anti Communist - Kay wins on TV and Nixon on radio
- Kennedy was charming and young and having his wife also helped with his look in the public
PRESIDENCY:
John F. Kennedy’s presidency (1961-1963) was marked by Cold War tensions, particularly with the Soviet Union, including the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis, and saw the creation of the Peace Corps and a push for civil rights legislation.
Space Race (Yuri Gagarin)
- Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut, became the first human in space
- The Space Race was a competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to achieve spaceflight capabilities during the Cold War. The race began after World War II and was driven by the nuclear arms race.
Bay of pigs:
The Bay of Pigs Invasion was a failed 1961 CIA-backed operation to overthrow Fidel Castro’s communist government in Cuba, involving Cuban exiles trained by the US, which ended in a swift and embarrassing defeat for the US.
Nuclear Fear:
During the Cold War, the development and stockpiling of nuclear weapons by the US and the Soviet Union led to widespread fear of nuclear annihilation, influencing politics, culture, and daily life, with events like the Cuban Missile Crisis highlighting the precariousness of the situation.
Berlin and the Wall:
The Berlin Wall, built in 1961, became a stark symbol of the Cold War, dividing East and West Berlin and representing the ideological and physical barrier between communism and democracy, fueled by the fear of nuclear annihilation.
Cuban Missile Crisis:
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union in 1962. It was a dangerous moment during the Cold War when the two superpowers came close to nuclear war.
Peace Corps:
The Peace Corps, established in 1961 by President Kennedy, emerged as a key Cold War initiative to counter Soviet influence and promote American goodwill in developing nations through volunteer service and development projects.
The Green Berets:
The Green Berets, officially the U.S. Army Special Forces, originated in 1952 and evolved from World War II-era special operations units, specializing in unconventional warfare and counterinsurgency, with their iconic green beret adopted as a symbol of excellence in 1962.
Vietnam and the Domino Theory:
-The domino theory, a key Cold War concept, posited that if one nation fell to communism, neighboring countries would inevitably follow, like a row of falling dominoes. The US used this theory to justify its involvement in the Vietnam War, fearing a communist victory there would lead to the spread of communism throughout Southeast Asia.
Kennedy:
John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, served from 1961 to 1963, known for his youthful charisma, his role in the Cuban Missile Crisis, and his assassination in Dallas, Texas.
Inaugural Address: Famous for his call to action: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”
Cuban Missile Crisis: Demonstrated strong leadership during the tense standoff with the Soviet Union
Civil Rights: Advocated for civil rights legislation, though it was passed by his successor, Lyndon B. Johnson
Space Program: Championed the U.S. space program, setting the goal of landing a man on the moon
