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The Kennedy Years

Explore the pivotal election of 1960 that brought John F. Kennedy to the presidency amid fears of U.S. military inferiority to the Soviets. This era marked the first televised presidential debate between Kennedy and Richard Nixon, showcasing Kennedy's charisma and appeal. His administration, famously dubbed Camelot, faced significant challenges, including the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Berlin Crisis, testing JFK's leadership and nuclear strategies. The period also saw heightened cultural glamour and social progress, marked by Kennedy's support for civil rights.

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The Kennedy Years

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  1. The Kennedy Years

  2. The Election of 1960 • Americans fear U.S. falling behind Soviets militarily • First televised presidential debate • John F. Kennedy • Richard Nixon • Nixon: foreign policy expert • Kennedy supports Martin Luther King Jr. • Wins black vote • Kennedy appears more handsome/composed on tv

  3. Camelot • Kennedy wins presidency in close election • Some argue his smooth style lacks substance • Kennedy White House known as Camelot • Glamorous Culture • Advisers • “The Best and the Brightest” • Brother Robert Kennedy named Attorney General

  4. JFK and the Military • JFK wants new US nuclear strategy • Flexible response • Be able to fight conventional wars • Have nuclear capability • Increases defense spending in 3 areas • Strengthens conventional forces • Creates army special forces (Green Berets) • Triples nuclear capabilities

  5. Crisis Over Cuba • Cuban leader Fidel Castro is Communist • Publicly Criticizes US • Seizes U.S. ships • Eisenhower cuts off relations • The Bay of Pigs • CIA with Cuban exiles plan invasion to kill Castro • FAILS • Exile forces killed/taken prisoner • Public embarrassment for JFK

  6. Cuban Missile Crisis • Nikita Khrushchev sends weapons to Cuba • Including nuclear missiles • JFK warns Soviets • Missile attack will trigger war on U.S.S.R. • World on brink of nuclear war for almost two weeks • Eventually, agreement reached

  7. The Berlin Crisis • The Berlin Crisis • By 1961 20% of Germans flee to West Berlin • Standard of Living better in West B. • Makes East Berlin/Communism look bad • Khruschev wants to close roads to West Berlin • JFK refuses • Soviets build Berlin Wall • Separates E and W Berlin

  8. Easing Tensions • Khrushchev, Kennedy aware of danger of quick decisions • Establish hot line—direct phone between White House, Kremlin • Limited Test Ban Treaty bans nuclear tests in atmosphere

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