Kennedy’s Domestic Policy

Question 1

What was Kennedy’s slogan for his approach in domestic policy?

Answer 1

JFK promised a “New Frontier”—a commitment to social reform, economic growth, and Cold War strength.

Question 2

What was JFK’s focus on Social Policies?

Answer 2

Focus on reducing poverty and inequality.

Question 3

What successful Social Policies did JFK make?

Answer 3

• Introduced minimum wage increases ($1 to $1.25).
• Extended unemployment benefits to more Americans.
• Housing Act (1961): $4.8 billion for urban renewal and slum clearance.
• Manpower Development and Training Act (1962): Programs to retrain unemployed workers. 12,600 trainees across 40 states, but little impact
• Area Redevelopment Act (1961)- $394 million into poorer states to create opportunity, created 26,000 jobs

Question 4

What unsuccessful Social Policies did JFK make?

Answer 4

• Supported Medicare (healthcare for the elderly) but failed to pass it through Congress.
• Failed to pass federal education aid due to opposition from Republicans and Southern Democrats.

Question 5

What was JFK’s opinion on Civil Rights legislation?

Answer 5

JFK was reluctant to push civil rights legislation due to opposition in Congress but did make some progress.

Question 6

What successful Civil Rights Policies did JFK make?

Answer 6

• Appointed African Americans to federal positions (e.g., Thurgood Marshall to the U.S. Court of Appeals).
• Supported desegregation (but did not introduce major legislation).
• Sent federal troops to ensure James Meredith enrolled at the University of Mississippi (1962).
• Responded to Birmingham Campaign (1963): Martin Luther King Jr. led protests, met with police brutality (Bull Connor).
• Civil Rights Address (June 1963): Called for a new Civil Rights Act (later passed under Johnson in 1964).

Question 7

What unsuccessful Civil Rights Policies did JFK make?

Answer 7

• Proposed Civil Rights Bill (1963) but did not pass before his assassination.

Question 8

What was the economic situation JFK inherited?

Answer 8

Inherited a recession (1960) and aimed for economic growth.

Question 9

What were JFK’s economic policies?

Answer 9

• Introduced tax cuts to stimulate the economy.
• Focused on business expansion and job creation.
• Backed the Area Redevelopment Act (1961): $394 million for job creation in poor areas.
• GDP grew by 5.5% per year, unemployment fell, and inflation remained low.

Question 10

What technological policy/progress was made under JFK?

Answer 10

• Pledged to land a man on the Moon before 1970.
• Increased NASA funding following the Soviet Union’s success in space.
• Apollo Program (1961): Began serious efforts for the moon landing.

Question 11

How many workers were included in the Minimum Wage Act?

Answer 11

3.6 million extra workers covered, but 500,000 of the poorest workers still not including laundry workers (mainly black women)

Question 12

What other improvements were made to social policy?

Answer 12

• Social Security was increased by 20%
• School Lunch Act- free milk and school meals for poor children
• Food stamps fed 250,000
• The Social Security Act of 1963 led to the mass vaccination of children
• Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
• Educational TV Facilities Act (1962), Vocational Education Act and expansion of student loans and scholarships

Question 13

What did Kennedy do for Women’s Rights?

Answer 13

• Presidential Committee on the Status of Women, chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt
• Recommended paid maternity leave, affordable childcare and equality in hiring practices
• Kennedy brought in the Equal Pay Act

Question 14

How many of JFK’s bills were passed by Congress?

Answer 14

35 of 58