Domestic Politics (1961-1974), Kennedy, Johnson, And Nixon Flashcards
How far did Kennedys ‘new frontier’ ideology show changes in democrats/ government
It promised programs for reform and change . So the US could move to a fairer society With ‘new frontiersmen’
-(Give equal rights)
Ideology/leadershop was popular:
-global tours: (1943) toured Ireland through large excited crowds
-respected through his determination against communism (foreign affairs success?)
Cabinet had energetic youthful advisers wanting change:
-Bobby Kennedy, attorney general
-Robert McNamara , defence secretary
-‘first lady’ his wife, Jacqueline bouvier Kennedy.
(Was limits like Edgar Hoover, whose Hoover files, despite unpopularity made him unsociable )
What were Kennedy domestic political / ‘new frontier’ developments?
Civil rights:
-de-segregation enforced in interstate transport
-(1963) put forward civil rights bill outlawed discrimination
-(1963) James merdith enrolment
-Robert Kennedy recruit energetic new staff ti civil rights division
(Had been cautious in policies to try maintain south support/ fear they would be dismantled by congress)
Social policies:
-social security benefits extended to child of unemployed father
-housing act: cheap loans for redevelopment of inner cities
-social security act: better
-minimum wage rose to$1.25 an hour
(Limits: less houses from slum clearance, wage unaffect unemployed, Medicare plans dropped by congress)
What was the Kennedy assassination and how did it affect developments?
(1963) assassination in Dallas = political conspiracies (damaged reliability of government to enforce policies like the FBI, despite the warren report stating otherwise)
(Not federal crime to kill president )
-Lyndon Johnson sworn in as president aboard air force one plane, put pressure on him to continue n ‘new frontier’ policies
Who was Lyndon Johnson and what was his influence in continuing Kennedys development’s?
Profile:
-raised in Texas
-(1935) appointed head of Texas national youth administration
-(1940s) multi-millionaire, as owner of chain of radio station
-opposed for his vain, thin-skinned, and bully to staff, and by liberals for his taxes background (but was also know as ‘great persuader’ to get civil rights policies passed
-was wide reading , strong knowledge on US constitution
-New dealer
Continuation:
-enforced legislation in first 100 days stalled by congress (and southern democrats) and planned by Kennedy
What significance occured in the (1964) election?
-Hubert Humphrey elected as vice president , working well with Johnson
-republican party shifted to the right with election of Barry Goldwater. Which lost support as he was viewed as too extreme for the time
-Johnson won election , won 90% of popular vote, majority in house and senate .
What were Lyndon Johnson “great society “ / domestic policies?
Policies were enforced were to win the ‘war on poverty’
Civil rights:
-(1964) passed civil rights act
-(1965) voting rights act
-(1967) Supreme Court declared all laws banning mixed race marriages
Social policies:
-elementary school and education act: federal money provided to ensure equal standard of education
-higher education act: easier access to college courses
-Medicare and Medicaid provided
- improve urban planning(1965) housing an urban development act and model cities act (1966)
-minimum wage increase to $1.40 hourly
-African Americans living below poverty line fell by 50% and 25 million given access to healthcare for first time
(Limits: Vietnam crisis undermined his domestic policies, victory promised was not achieved in Vietnam=critism and violent riots in cities. Also undermined rugged individualism and bad investments)
How did the democrats struggle to develop a new ideology and strengths prior to (1968) election?
-Johnson announced he would not run for presidency (1968) following Vietnam. To improve party unity, overcome division
(Also leading way for Vietnam peace ensure Democratic candidate would get less opposition when in power )
=failed. Causing three way fight for president between Robert Kennedy, eugune mcarthy (radical) and Hubert Humphrey (with traditional part bosses
-divisions grew in society following MLK assassination
-democrat more divided and less supported after Rober Kennedy assassination
-Chicago convention was publicy seen as catastrophic with violence. Was use of dogs year has and baton charges. Mayer of Chicago accused of police brutality by protestors
-despite winning 31 million votes they lost. Lost the south from Nixon strategy and George walllace who split democrats by gaining undecided southern white voters
How did the Republican reshape there party and how important was Nixon for the 1968 election win?
Nixon restored himself as ‘new Nixon’. Was nominated in first ballot at national miami convention (striking contrast to democrat convention, seem more organized)
‘New Nixon’ :
-position himself as moderate
-represented ‘msilent majority ‘ who suppor war and dislike protests
-used ‘southern strategy’ to win southerners dissatisfied with civil right policies
-Wallace populist appeal (also oppose civil rights) had taken some of the southern states away from Nixon in his attempt to win the south using his strategy .
