Topic: Assessing the Topic: Assessing the Presidency of John F. Presidency of John F.

KennedyKennedyDo Now: Do Now:

““JFK clearly represents the youthful spirit of JFK clearly represents the youthful spirit of the 1960s. His demeanor and outlook spoke the 1960s. His demeanor and outlook spoke to a younger generation of Americans. JFK to a younger generation of Americans. JFK

championed the underprivileged, while championed the underprivileged, while displaying a vision of what American displaying a vision of what American

greatness could be. This is why JFK is held by greatness could be. This is why JFK is held by many to be a great President”many to be a great President”

Assess the validity of this statementAssess the validity of this statement

John F. Kennedy: The John F. Kennedy: The “New Frontier”“New Frontier”

Eisenhower’s “Military Eisenhower’s “Military Industrial Complex” Industrial Complex” SpeechSpeech

1960 Election: Nixon vs. 1960 Election: Nixon vs. Kennedy (TV debates)Kennedy (TV debates)

JFK wins, “New Frontier” JFK wins, “New Frontier” program proposed- social program proposed- social welfare initiativeswelfare initiatives

NASA createdNASA created Not all Dems agree on Not all Dems agree on

new spendingnew spending JFK moderates his “tone”JFK moderates his “tone”

Tax cutsTax cuts 1962 Steel problem1962 Steel problem Kennedy and Civil RightsKennedy and Civil Rights

Kennedy Foreign PolicyKennedy Foreign Policy

Peace CorpsPeace Corps Berlin Wall incidentBerlin Wall incident JFK vs. the “Common JFK vs. the “Common

Market” (EU)Market” (EU) JFK sends “advisors” to JFK sends “advisors” to

help Diem gov’t of help Diem gov’t of Vietnam (1961)Vietnam (1961)

Bay of Pigs (1961) CubaBay of Pigs (1961) Cuba Cuban Missile Crisis Cuban Missile Crisis

(1962)(1962) JFK vs. Khrushchev (and JFK vs. Khrushchev (and

Castro)Castro)

Cuban Missile CrisisCuban Missile Crisis

Kennedy’s AssassinationKennedy’s Assassination

November 22, 1963November 22, 1963 Kennedy assassinated Kennedy assassinated

in Texasin Texas OswaldOswald Jack Ruby Jack Ruby Warren CommissionWarren Commission Lyndon B. Johnson Lyndon B. Johnson

becomes Presidentbecomes President LBJ convinces the LBJ convinces the

nation to pass Civil nation to pass Civil Rights and social Rights and social welfare bills to “honor welfare bills to “honor JFK’s memory”JFK’s memory”

ConclusionConclusion

If you were an historian, how would If you were an historian, how would you rate the Kennedy you rate the Kennedy Administration? Use specific Administration? Use specific examples to justify your assessment examples to justify your assessment of Kennedy. of Kennedy.