broadwater school history department 1 revise for gcse history: a divided union? the usa, 1941-80...

Broadwater School History Department 1

Revise for GCSE History: A Divided Union? The USA, 1941-80

This is the fourth of six revision topics.The impact of the Second World War

McCarthyism and the “Red Scare”

Civil Rights in the USA, 1941-80

The “New Frontier” and the “Great Society”

Protest movements in the 1960s and 1970s

The Watergate Scandal and its impact

Lyndon B. JohnsonJohn F. Kennedy

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There are six sections to this topic.

What was meant by the “New Frontier”?

What were the New Frontier’s policies?

Why was there opposition to the New Frontier?

What was the “Great Society”?

What were the Great Society’s policies?

Why was there opposition to the Great Society?

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What was meant by the “New Frontier”?

The New Frontier refers to a series of measures that were designed to solve the problems that faced the USA at the beginning of the 1960s. JFK was a Democrat and the name linked back

to the popular presidencies of Roosevelt with his “New Deal”.

The problems were those of poverty, especially among the aged and black Americans.JFK promised to deal with civil rights issues and communism.

Women and youth were also pushing for change. Because of JFK’s youth and charisma they looked to him to deliver these changes.

JFK also promised to be tough on communism as part of the New Frontier.He made a mistake over the Bay of Pigs, but was decisive over Berlin and the Cuba missiles.

JFK raised hopes but failed to deliver because of his assassination, opposition from southern Democrats in Senate and Congress and the pressure of dealing with the communist threat.

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What were the New Frontiers policies? Social Reforms

JFK increased the minimum wage from $1 to $1.25 an hour. Housing Act tried to clear slums. Area Redeployment Act helped poor communities start new businesses. Social Security Act provided more help

for the old and unemployed. Failed to introduce Medicare (free medical care for the old).

Civil Rights

Sympathetic, but unable to deliver because of opposition from Southern Democrats.

Appointed Thurgood Marshall, first black federal judge. Sent troops to University of Mississippi to ensure James Meredith, a black student, could enrol. Forced Washington Redskins to hire black players.

Introduced a Civil Rights Bill to ensure equality in public housing and education.

Economic Measures

Cut income tax to stimulate spending. Encouraged new high-tech companies. Increased defence spending and promised to put a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s.

Still high unemployment, especially among blacks. Boom depended on govt. spending.

Communism

Increased defence spending. Decisive over the Berlin Wall and Cuban Missiles, which led to détente.

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Why was there opposition to the “New Frontier”?

Kennedy had only won the presidential election by a narrow majority.

Many members of Congress felt that JFK was too young and inexperienced.

Some saw the New Frontier as socialist reforms.

He was the first Catholic president.

Southern democrats in his own Party disliked civil rights reform.

Opposition to the expansion of “big government” at the expense of “rugged individualism”.

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What was the “Great Society”?

The Great Society was the name given to a series of social reforms proposed by LBJ.It built on and extended JFK’s New Frontier reforms.

LBJ proposed a massive programme of slum clearance, better educational opportunities, especially for black Americans and an extension of free medical care for the poorest.

LBJ delivered on slum clearance, but not quickly enough.Medical care was extended.

LBJ found that he was running out of money because of the war in Vietnam.The lack of progress caused urban riots and led to other protests like Black Power and the

Women’s Movement.

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What were the Great Society’s policies?

Civil Rights: Remove all discrimination in education and employment.Civil Rights Act (1964) banned discrimination in all public places and federal programmes. Enforced voting

violations and set up an Equal Opportunities Commission. Voting Rights Act (1965) appointed agents to ensure legality. 1967 Supreme Court removed all restrictions on mixed race marriages.

The Economy: Cut unemployment and encourage growth. Cut taxes to encourage spending and job creation. Improved roads and railways. Better protection for the

consumer. Economic Opportunity Act provided youth training and help to attend University. Head Start Programme provided additional money to teach children from poor backgrounds.

Social Reform: remove poverty from the inner cities and provide free health care for the needy.Medical Care Act (1965) free health care for over 65s. 1966 Medicaid for those on benefits. Food Stamps

for those in need. Model Cities Act (1966) slum clearance, parks and sports facilities. Poor helped with their rent. Elementary and Secondary Education Act (1965) federal money to improve schools in poor

areas. Minimum wage up from $1.25 to $1.40. Families and Dependant Children Act cash to low incomes.

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Why was there opposition to the Great Society?

Republicans believed he was undermining “rugged individualism”.He was accused of overspending on health and of not doing enough for the inner cities.

Public support faded as taxes increased.Congress cut funding and the Great Society stalled.

The war in Vietnam sucked money away from the Great Society.

Evaluation of the Great SocietyLBJ did a lot for poorer Americans.

He provided decent healthcare for poor and elderly.50% fewer black Americans were below the poverty line.

LBJ advanced civil rights with the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts.Extended the what Roosevelt began in the 1930s with the federal government

intervening to deal with poverty.

broadwater school history department 1 revise for gcse history: a divided union? the usa, 1941-80...

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