Kennedy and Johnson

Chapter 29

Lesson 2

Kennedy and the New Frontier

• 1960 - Nixon vs. Kennedy
• Nixon promised continuation of Eisenhower policies
• Kennedy promised new programs
• Kennedy-Roman Catholic
• No president ever Catholic
• Had to assure voters

John F. Kennedy

A Hero in World War II

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• One of countries wealthiest and most powerful families
• Father ambassador to Britain
• Joined U.S. Navy during WWII
• Patrol boat sank by Japanese, saved life of crew member
• 1946 - Won a seat in Congress from Massachusetts
• Elected to Senate six years later
• Ran for President in 1960

A Debate, and the Power of TV

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• 1960-first ever televised debate
• Nixon, recovering from illness looked tired and sick
• Kennedy appeared handsome and youthful
• Radio listeners thought Nixon won
• TV viewers said Kennedy won
• Election
• Kennedy 49.7%, Nixon 49.5%
• Kennedy 303 EV, Nixon 219 EV

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Kennedy’s Ideas for Change

• Program called, “The New Frontier”
• Federal aid for education and poor
• Supported Civil Rights
• Did not want to move too quickly in order to avoid angering Southern Democrats
• Civil Rights bill passed House, stalled in Senate

The Assassination of a President

• November 22, 1963, Kennedy visited Dallas
• Assassinated by sniper, Lee Harvey Oswald
• Oswald murdered while being moved in jail
• Lyndon Johnson became president
• Some believed Kennedy assassination a conspiracy
• Investigation revealed Oswald acted alone

Johnson’s Great Society

• Johnson’s programs called the, “Great Society”
• War on Poverty
• Head Start Program
• Pre-school education for kids below poverty line
• Job Corps - training for young
• Medicare - elderly
• Medicaid - low income families
• Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Education Act of 1965
• Civil Rights Act of 1964 banned discrimination on race, gender, religion, national origin

Lyndon B. Johnson