The Presidency of Kennedy: Charisma and Camelot

Homework: Wednesday March 25th

• Finish your “Advising the President” worksheet.

• Be prepared to present your case for Friday’s Presidential meeting.

The Election of 1960

• An election between young upcomers John F. Kennedy from Massachusetts and Richard M. Nixon from California.

• Kennedy wins by the narrowest of margin and receives less than 50% of the popular vote.

• The youngest president to take office at the age of 40, changing the atmosphere in the White House with new life and vigor.

• Many Americans saw Kennedy’s youth as a new positive change while other saw him as inexperienced and lacking qualifications.

HOT ROC: What are some your criteria for a qualified

President?• Work with your partner and list at

least 5 qualifications for a successful President.

Are Character and Charisma qualifications for a successful

President?• In the 2008 elections,

Democrat candidate Obama was labeled as having charisma, and charm that caused others to like him.

• Along with charisma, supporters touted Obama’s strong character and manner in the time of discourse.

• The 3rd debate between John McCain and Barack Obama, how the candidates responded verbally and non-verbally was extremely important when deciding who won. Do you think their body language could have changed voter’s opinion?

The Election of 1960: The Televised Debate

• The Nixon-Kennedy debate was the 1st televised debate.

• The debate exposed millions of voters to Kennedy’s charisma. Afterward, Kennedy’s approval rating shot up in the

opinion polls.

JFK: The Era of Camelot and the New Frontier

• Americans associated the Kennedy years with the mythical kingdom of Camelot.

– Kennedy’s family formed an image of a dynasty equating to the image of King Arthur of Camelot.

• Now its your turn: Read pages 627-629 and paraphrase Kennedy’s 3 major decisions in regards to his “New Frontier.”– Reviving the Economy– Approach to Civil Rights– Landing a Man on the Moon

Friday March 27th

• Homework: STAR Notes: Pg 632-635 and

answer the following question: What lasting impacts do the failure of the Bay of Pigs and the success of the Cuba Missile have on JFK’s image?

• After writing your homework down, please get into your groups and prepare for the Presidential Meeting.

The Cuba Missile Crisis

13 days on the Brink of Nuclear War

Cuba Missile Crisis: October 16-28

• In October of 1962, after the fiasco of the Bay of Pigs, Kennedy discovers that the USSR is building missile launch sites on Cuba.

• Kennedy forms a committee of 12 trusted advisers to halt construction of Soviet missiles.

• Over 13 nervous days, Kennedy, and 90 million Americans feared the beginning of a nuclear war.

• Kennedy decides to not attack Cuba, rather form a blockade of Cuban ports to prevent Soviet ships from bringing missiles.

The Blast radius if missiles were fired from Havana Cuba.