Goal: Identify key foreign and domestic policy events during

the Kennedy administration.

“My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” – JFK

What does this quote mean to you?

Democrat from Mass.

Born to wealthy political family

Served in the Navy during WWII

First Catholic President

JFK(D) vs. Richard Nixon(R)

TV viewers said JFK won debate

Radio listeners say Nixon won

JFK appeared young and energetic• Youngest President elected

(43)

JFK wins by narrow margin

Term given to JFK’s domestic policies .

Equal Pay Act- Set standards for minimum wage jobs.

Expanded Social Security: Lowered retirement age to 62.

Housing Act 1961: Provided affordable housing for low and middle class families.

1. What was the New Frontier?

2. What did the Equal Pay Act do for Americans?

3. What is a benefit of the Social Security Act of 1961?

4. What types of Americans benefit most from New Frontier programs?

Flexible Response: Kennedy Administration’s menu of options for dealing with other countries.• Not just war or peace.

What are some alternatives to war?

Eisenhower & CIA begin plan to remove Castro

US trains 1,400 exiles to invade and overthrow Castro

Attempt fails• Kennedy takes blame

CIA Plots to sabotage, interfere with or kill Castro• $10 million budget

Castro claimed 24 attempts had been made at his life

Examples• Exploding cigar• Multiple poisoning attempts• Flannels• Plane tickets

Construction began August 1961

Brain drain• East to West

89 people killed trying to cross

“Ich bin ein Berliner.”

Closest we have ever gotten to WW III

Perfect match• Missiles in Cuba would

provide defense for Cuba, and offense for USSR

Khrushchev asks for US missiles to be removed from Turkey

US agrees to remove missiles from Turkey and promises to never invade Cuba

UN inspections of Cuba Missile sites

1961: JFK increases numbers of US advisors in Vietnam.

Green Berets created

1963, Kennedy changes his mind on Vietnam, begins removing troops.

1. What is the benefit of Kennedy’s flexible response plan?

2. Why was the Bay of Pigs Invasion a failure?

3. Why was the Berlin Wall built?

4. What was the outcome of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

5. How did Kennedy’s policy towards Vietnam change in 1963?