1.4 - Kennedy's New Frontier - peace corps + space programme

Question 1

What was the purpose of the Peace Corps, in Kennedy’s view?

Answer 1

An organisation that allowed Americans to fulfil their responsibilities to ‘world development’ and ‘world peace’ by means of young volunteers sent to help poorer nations help themselves through teaching and aid, and secretly hoped it would counter Soviet propaganda that depicted America negatively and proved its values superior

Question 2

How successful do you think Kennedy’s Peace Corps programme was?

Answer 2

The programme was somewhat successful as many countries did receive aid (1961-63: 44 developing countries) and despite cynical critics, 71% of Americans approved of the Peace Corps, further shown by the tens of thousands who volunteered and both political parties attesting to its success with them voting for it during the next century

Question 3

Why did Kennedy want to reignite America’s role in the Cold War ‘space race’ in May 1961?

Answer 3

To restore faith in his leadership and New Frontier spirit to demonstrate American superiority and bring valuable international prestige, especially in the ‘battle for minds and souls’ in the new CW arena of less developed nations.

Question 4

How far was Kennedy successful in winning Americans’ support for his space projects?

Answer 4

Despite the initial lack of support and opposition, Kennedy persuaded Americans on the value of the Space projects (1965: 58% of Americans favoured moon project) with the successful moon landing opening a NF

Question 5

Why was Kennedy’s administration increasingly concerned with the environment, and how did they respond?

Answer 5

With the book Silent Spring generating a favourable reaction from the public, river and stream pollution became a growing issue for Kennedy and his administration therefore they responded with the Water Pollution Control Act Amendments