Kennedy and the Cold War

1. Kennedy and the Cold War United States History Chapter 15, Section 1 Mrs. Huston

2. The Cold War wasn’t over … Communism spreading abroad Threat of nuclear war Civil Rights struggle continues Problems increase US-USSR rivalry still intense

3. 1960 Presidential Campaign & Election • John F. Kennedy • Democrat • Young • Catholic • Navy veteran during WWII • Former US Congressman • US Senator • Son of wealthy Boston businessman

4. Richard M. Nixon • Born in California • Family was financially challenged • US Navy veteran • Served as Vice President under Eisenhower

5. The Televised Debate • First time event • Large audience • Nixon looked tired, pale • Recovering from knee surgery • Kennedy looked tan and fit • Nixon looked nervous • Kennedy looked relaxed and confident

6. Appearances Matter • People who listened to the debate on the radio said Nixon won • People who watched on TV said Kennedy won • With such a large audience, the debate tipped the balance to Kennedy

7. Kennedy uses current events • Civil Rights events in Atlanta, Georgia • Nixon said nothing • Kennedy phoned the wife of Martin Luther King, Jr. after King was arrested • JFK expressed his concern • Worked behind the scenes to get King released

8. The Election • Largest turnout of voters in history • Only 120,000 votes difference in the popular vote • The electoral college decides • 303 for Kennedy to 219 for Nixon • Texas votes had big impact

9. New Cold War Strategies • Claimed there was a “missile gap” between the US and USSR • Gave challenge to Americans in his inaugural speech • “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

10. Defense Policy Changes • Eisenhower—massive retaliation • Emphasized nuclear weapons development • Kennedy—flexible response • Increased funding to conventional military • Army • Navy • Special Forces • Green Berets

11. New Ideas in the “Third World” • Developing nations • Africa • Asia • Latin America • Peace Corps • Created in 1961 • American volunteers working around the world • Educational, technical, and health • Alliance for Progress • Help for Latin America • Economic assistance • Not successful

12. Communism in Cuba • Bay of Pigs • Eisenhower’s administration had broken off diplomatic relations with Cuba • Authorized the CIA to plan an invasion of Cuba to overthrown Fidel Castro • CIA recruited Cuban exiles and trained them in Guatemala • Plan hadn’t been carried out yet

13. Bay of Pigs, continued • Under pressure from the CIA and some of his own aides, Kennedy decided to carry out the plan • It was a disaster • Most invaders killed or captured • Castro gained strength • Embarrassed the US

14. Cuban Missile Crisis • August/Sept of 1962 US discovered the Soviets were building nuclear missile launchers in Cuba • It would put major east coast cities in range of the missiles • Kennedy demanded the USSR remove the missiles • Blamed Soviet Premier Khrushchev for threatening world peace

15. Cuban Missile Crisis, continued • US set up a naval “quarantine” of Cuba • Negotiated behind the scenes • Offered to remove US missiles from Turkey and Italy if the Soviets removed theirs from Cuba • Situation very tense • Nuclear war very real possibility

16. Outcome USSR turned back their ships Nuclear war avoided Khrushchev lost power Kennedy gained prestige Installed the “hot line” 1963 US, Britain, and USSR signed Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

17. Berlin Crisis • Soviets wanted West Berlin given over to East German control • Kennedy resisted • Talks collapsed • Kennedy asked for increased military spending • Khrushchev began building the Berlin Wall

18. The Wall • The level of tension was increased • Kennedy sent 1500 troops to West Berlin • US and Soviet tanks were within sight of each other • Neither side could claim victory

19. The End