Chapter 20/Section 1

Kennedy and the Cold War

Key Idea

The new President, John F. Kennedy faces some dangerous ColdWar confrontations.

·  In 1960, many Americans felt the US was losingthe Cold War.

·  Democrat John F. Kennedy defeated Vice-President Richard Nixon in an extremely close election.

Kennedy won in 1960 because:

·  Thefirst televised election debates in history made him look forceful, while Nixon looked uncomfortable.

·  He got thousands of African American votes.

Cuba’s Communist leader Fidel Castro was creating tension.

·  A planhad been devised under Eisenhower to overthrow Castro.

·  Kennedygave approval, but the surprise “Bay of Pigs” attackfailed and the U.S. was embarrassed.

In 1962, spy planes tookphotographs showing that the Soviets were buildingbases to launch nuclear missiles.

·  In the Cuban Missile Crisis, Kennedy insisted that the missiles be removed.

·  Hesent U.S. Navy ships to blockade Cuba.

·  Sovietleader Nikita Khrushchev agreed to remove themissiles, ending the threat of war.

Another crisis arose in Berlin.

·  The city was stilldivided, and many Berliners were moving into the west.

·  Khrushchevresponded by building a concrete and barbed wirewall—the Berlin Wall—dividing the city.

Kennedy and Khrushchevdid reach some agreements.

·  They installed a telephone“hot line” so they could talk directly when a crisis arose.

·  Theyalso agreed to a Limited Test Ban Treaty.

Chapter 20/Section 2

The New Frontier

Key Idea

Kennedy outlines a broad vision for progress, butCongress enacts few of his initiatives. His efforts areended by his tragic assassination.

President Kennedy and his wife brought charmand an interest in the arts to the White House.

·  Kennedy appointed many intellectualsand business people to highoffices.

·  His chief adviser was his brother Robert,the attorney-general.

Kennedy called his domestic program the NewFrontier, but his proposals lacked Congressionalsupport.

He did succeed with some proposals.

·  Congress raised the minimum wage.

·  To increase goodwill toward theUnited States, Kennedy instituted the Peace Corps.

When the Soviets launched a man into orbit, Kennedy committed to putting a man on the moon within the decade.

·  The goal wasreached on July 21, 1969, when Neil Armstrongstepped onto the moon.

·  The race for the moon hadlasting effects, such as improved technology and computers.

Kennedy was assassinated on November22.

·  Millions were watching live asthe president’s accused killer, Lee Harvey Oswald,was himself killed.

·  The Warren Commissiondetermined that Oswald acted alone.

·  Many people believe thatOswald acted as part of a conspiracy.

Chapter 20/Section 3

The Great Society

Key Idea

Lyndon Johnson drives the most ambitiouslegislative agenda through Congress since the New Deal.

The new president, Lyndon Johnson, was a committedNew Deal Democrat and skillful legislator.

·  Johnson launcheda “war on poverty”

Johnson easily won election in 1964, defeatingRepublican Barry Goldwater.

·  Goldwater’s threat to use nuclear weapons on Cuba and NorthVietnam frightened many people.

·  Johnson then pushed for newlaws aimed at creating what he called the “GreatSociety.”

·  Among other things, these laws…

·  created Medicare and Medicaid: health care for the elderly and poor

·  funded public housing

·  required efforts to ensure clean water

·  offered increased protection to consumers

The Supreme Court underChief Justice Earl Warren promoted more liberal policies.

·  It required that criminalcourts provide an attorney to the accused.

·  It ruled that police had toread people accused of a crime their rights—“Miranda rights”—before asking them any questions.

The Great Society and the Warren Courtchanged American society.

·  They greatlyexpanded power of the federalgovernment.

·  Great Society programs contributed toa rising deficit, a problem that continues today.