Download Chapter 20/Section 1

Chapter 20/Section 1
Kennedy and the Cold War
Key Idea
The new President, John F. Kennedy faces some dangerous Cold War
confrontations.
 In 1960, many Americans felt the US was losing the Cold War.
 Democrat John F. Kennedy defeated Vice-President Richard Nixon in
an extremely close election.
Kennedy won in 1960 because:
 The first 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 plan had been devised under Eisenhower to overthrow Castro.
 Kennedy gave approval, but the surprise “Bay of Pigs” attack failed
and the U.S. was embarrassed.
In 1962, spy planes took photographs showing that the Soviets were
building bases to launch nuclear missiles.
 In the Cuban Missile Crisis, Kennedy insisted that the missiles be
removed.
 He sent U.S. Navy ships to blockade Cuba.
 Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles,
ending the threat of war.
Another crisis arose in Berlin.
 The city was still divided, and many Berliners were moving into the
west.
 Khrushchev responded by building a concrete and barbed wire wall—
the Berlin Wall—dividing the city.
Kennedy and Khrushchev did reach some agreements.
 They installed a telephone “hot line” so they could talk directly when a
crisis arose.
 They also agreed to a Limited Test Ban Treaty.
Chapter 20/Section 2
The New Frontier
Key Idea
Kennedy outlines a broad vision for progress, but Congress enacts
few of his initiatives. His efforts are ended by his tragic
assassination.
President Kennedy and his wife brought charm and an interest in the arts
to the White House.
 Kennedy appointed many intellectuals and business people to
high offices.
 His chief adviser was his brother Robert, the attorney-general.
Kennedy called his domestic program the New Frontier, but his proposals
lacked Congressional support.
He did succeed with some proposals.
 Congress raised the minimum wage.
 To increase goodwill toward the United 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 was reached on July 21, 1969, when Neil Armstrong stepped
onto the moon.
 The race for the moon had lasting effects, such as improved technology
and computers.
Kennedy was assassinated on November 22.
 Millions were watching live as the president’s accused killer, Lee
Harvey Oswald, was himself killed.
 The Warren Commission determined that Oswald acted alone.
 Many people believe that Oswald acted as part of a conspiracy.
Chapter 20/Section 3
The Great Society
Key Idea
Lyndon Johnson drives the most ambitious legislative agenda
through Congress since the New Deal.
The new president, Lyndon Johnson, was a committed New Deal
Democrat and skillful legislator.
 Johnson launched a “war on poverty”
Johnson easily won election in 1964, defeating Republican Barry
Goldwater.
 Goldwater’s threat to use nuclear weapons on Cuba and North Vietnam
frightened many people.
 Johnson then pushed for new laws aimed at creating what he called the
“Great Society.”
 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 under Chief Justice Earl Warren promoted more liberal
policies.
 It required that criminal courts provide an attorney to the accused.
 It ruled that police had to read people accused of a crime their rights—
“Miranda rights”—before asking them any questions.
The Great Society and the Warren Court changed American society.
 They greatly expanded power of the federal government.
 Great Society programs contributed to a rising deficit, a problem that
continues today.