Political change 1960-2000 Flashcards
Order of US Presidents
Kennedy
Johnson
Nixon
(Ford)
(Carter)
Reagan
Bush Snr
Clinton
When did JFK serve?
1961-63
Kennedy’s policy name
‘The new frontier’
Kennedy’s new frontier aims
Achieve equality for black Americans
Keep US economy strongest in the world
Tackle social deprivation and poverty
Successes of new frontier (civil rights wise) (JFK)
Sent troops to protect James Meredith
Appointed black politicians
Made racist southern governors defend freedom riders
Swore himself to movement in speech
Failures of the new frontier (civil rights wise) (JFK)
Rate of black unemployment still 2x white unemployment
Poor black families had to live in ghettos when moved to north
Ideas too radical and so blocked by racist congressmen
Criticised by civil rights activists for moving too slowly
Successes of the New Frontier (economy wise) (JFK)
Cut income taxes so people had more spending money
Created more jobs
Economy was boosted for secure jobs
Failures of new frontier (economy wise) (JFK)
Technology advancement caused less traditional jobs = more unemployment
Big corporations made money but it didn’t trickle down to lower classes
Minimum wage only helped the employed
Economy dependent on government spending, if that is cut it would damage it
Successes of new frontier (decreasing poverty) (JFK)
Benefits for elderly and unemployed
Loans to improve housing
Increased minimum wage
money for run down schools
Medicaid for the poor
Poor communities get advice or loans to start businesses or infrastructure
Failures of new frontier (decreasing poverty) (JFK)
No medicare for elderly
Poor (black majority) families had to move from south to north to find work but trapped in ghettos
Housing loans didn’t help those who couldn’t take out loans
Clearing out slums caused housing shortage in inner cities
When did LBJ serve?
1963-1968
Name for LBJ’s domestic policy
The Great Society
Aims of the great society (LBJ)
Same as JFK
Achieve civil rights for black people
Keep economy strongest in the world
Tackle poverty
Successes of great society civil rights wise (LBJ)
Passed civil rights act and Voting rights act 1965
Appointed first African American to cabinet level position (Robert C Weaver)
Fully legalised interracial marriage
(All immigrants) immigration act - decisions not based on race
Failures of great society civil rights wise (LBJ)
Racial tension and large number of riots causing deaths
Successes of great society economy wise (LBJ)
Cut taxes for more spending
Increased minimum wage
Consumer laws so people could return faulty items
Transport links for middle classes
Failures of great society economy wise (LBJ)
Rising unemployment and inflation because:
Us companies investing in foreign companies so unemployment didn’t lower
Vietnam war and increased military spending meant less domestic aid
Successes of great society (tackling poverty) (LBJ)
Funding for Uni +education
Food stamps for groceries
Help school dropouts find work
Gave support for 745,000 low income families through AFDC scheme
Medicare = medical help for elderly
Cleaning slums