Kennedy (1961-63) Flashcards
what threat did USSR pose in 1957?
- laughed first space satellite (sputnik)
- threat of communism increasing
why did JFK win over Nixon?
- catholic
- good image with young wife and kids
- promised new frontier
- promised to tackle communism
- supported Martin king when he was arrested in 1960
How did TV debates help JFK win 1961 election?
70 million people watched 4 tv debates where people were more impressed by JFK (on the radio they were equal)
What was the new frontier?
- unite young people behind JFK
- promised fairer society like black rights and asked voters to join him
- changed control gov; employed brightest people from uni’s
what did JFK do for civil rights?
- hesitant before 1963 as he needed souther vote
- sent 23k troops to help black student go to un I in 1962
- passed 1963 civil rights bill to give black equality in housing and eduction (bout defeated in congress)
What did he do for the economy?
tax cuts meant more spending and goods sold
- increase spending on defence and tech which created jobs and led to moon landing
- unemployment in traditional industries like coal and steel
what did he increase minimum wage to?
$1.25
what was th man power training act for?
to provide retraining to long term unemployed
what did the housing act do?
provide cheap loans for city redevelopment
what did the social security act do?
financial help to unemployed and elderly
tried for medicare but blocked by congress
what were the limitations of JFK’s social reforms?
- slum clearance left housing shortage
- wage increase only help those able to get jobs
what were JFK’s oppositions?
- democrats also controlled congress but achieved little
- too preoccupied with foreign policy
- too vague about new frontier
- opposition. from southern E’s and D’s against civil rights
who did JFK send 23,000 troops to help go to school and when?
- 1962
- help James Meredith go to school in Mississippi
