america and the great society Flashcards
(27 cards)
Who was John F. Kennedy and what was his New Frontier?
- John F. Kennedy (JFK) became US President in January 1961 — youngest elected president and the first Catholic.
- His campaign slogan ‘New Frontier’ represented a vision of progress and reform.
Aimed to:
- Fight poverty and inequality
- End racial prejudice
- Promote science and technology, including the space race (aim to reach the Moon).
- Encouraged optimism and national pride during the Cold War.
Why did Kennedy struggle to pass many of his reforms?
- Although the Democrats held a majority in Congress, many were conservative Southern Democrats.
- These conservatives opposed civil rights reforms and resisted change.
- As a result, very few of JFK’s New Frontier plans became law.
- His presidency laid the groundwork for later reforms under Lyndon B. Johnson, especially after JFK’s assassination in 1963.
What economic problems did Kennedy face when he became president in 1961?
The US was in a major recession — unemployment peaked at 7.1%.
Farm incomes were falling, and economic inequality was growing.
There was increasing concern about poverty, especially in urban and rural areas.
How did Kennedy try to reduce poverty and support the unemployed?
- Gave millions in grants to businesses to create jobs and invest in new technology.
- Increased the minimum wage from $1 to $1.25 an hour.
- Raised social security benefits to help the elderly and unemployed.
- Passed a Housing Act giving loans for home improvement in deprived areas.
- Created the Commission on Equal Employment Opportunity (CEEO) to promote fair hiring in government jobs.
What were the limitations of Kennedy’s poverty and employment reforms?
- Minimum wage increase only helped people already in work — didn’t help the unemployed.
- CEEO only applied to government jobs, not the wider workforce.
- New technology grants led to job losses in some sectors (e.g., factories) — Black workers were hit hardest.
- The Housing Act didn’t help the very poorest — many couldn’t afford to repay loans.
- His tax cut plan (to boost growth) was blocked in Congress and only passed after his death.
What was Kennedy’s approach to healthcare reform?
Proposed Medicare, a public medical insurance system for the elderly and low-income groups.
Faced strong opposition in Congress, especially from Republicans and conservative Democrats — it was blocked.
The US still lacked a national healthcare system, unlike Europe.
How did Kennedy try to improve mental health care?
Mental illness was neglected in the US — people were often placed in state institutions.
Inspired by his sister Rosemary, who had an intellectual disability.
Kennedy created a research task force to improve mental health services and recommend reforms.
What was the Peace Corps and why was it important?
Launched by Kennedy in 1961, the Peace Corps sent US volunteers (e.g. doctors, teachers) to help developing countries.
Promoted international aid and cooperation during the Cold War.
Gave young Americans a way to serve their country — remains active today.
How did Kennedy try to improve education in the US?
Proposed a law to increase federal funding for schools.
Faced opposition from:
- Southern Democrats (feared it would promote desegregation)
- Catholics and Republicans (concerned about federal control)
Still took action — in 1962, sent federal marshals and troops to protect James Meredith, the first Black student at the University of Mississippi.
What was the impact of Kennedy’s assassination in 1963?
- Killed in November 1963; much of his focus had been on the Cold War, not domestic reform.
- Criticised for limited achievements at home during his presidency.
- However, widely mourned — seen as a leader who tried to tackle poverty, racism, and inequality.
- His Civil Rights Bill became law after his death — passed as the 1964 Civil Rights Act by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
What was Lyndon B. Johnson’s ‘Great Society’?
- Johnson became President in 1963 after Kennedy’s assassination.
- He aimed to end poverty and racial injustice in the US.
- Called for an “all-out war on poverty” and promoted wide-ranging reforms.
- Used the public sympathy after JFK’s death and his political skills to get Congress to pass new laws.
- The ‘Great Society’ focused on healthcare, education, civil rights, environment, and urban renewal.
What was the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act and why was it important? - Johnson
- Aimed to break the cycle of poverty by improving opportunities in poor areas.
- Funded job training, education programmes, and community action projects.
- Helped people gain skills and access to employment.
- It was a key part of Johnson’s effort to support low-income communities, especially in inner cities and rural areas.
What was the purpose of the 1965 Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Act? - Johnson
- Tackled poor housing conditions in cities, worsened by people moving to suburbs.
- Gave federal funding for urban renewal and new low-income housing.
- Created minimum housing standards.
- Helped to modernise inner-city areas and improve living standards for poorer Americans.
What were Medicare and Medicaid, introduced in 1965? -Jonhson
- Medicare: Paid for elderly Americans’ healthcare if they qualified.
- Medicaid: Covered healthcare for low-income people and the unemployed.
- These reforms overcame opposition from groups like the American Medical Association.
- Marked a major shift in US healthcare — first time the government provided large-scale public healthcare.
What was Operation Head Start and how did it support education? - Johnson
- Pre-school programme for low-income children.
- Focused on early learning, nutrition, and healthcare to prepare children for school.
- Believed that starting education earlier would help children escape poverty.
- Still exists today as a key early childhood support programme.
What did the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act achieve? - Johnson
- One of the most important education laws ever passed in the US.
- Gave major federal funding to schools in poorer areas.
- Helped to improve school resources, teacher training, and education standards.
- Made education a federal responsibility, not just a state one — a big change in US policy.
What did the 1965 Higher Education Act do? - Johnson
- Increased funding for colleges and universities.
- Created scholarships and low-interest student loans to help more people afford higher education.
- Aimed to make university access fairer, especially for low-income families.
- Supported Johnson’s belief that education was key to tackling poverty.
How is Johnson’s presidency assessed, and what challenges did he face?
- Supporters say he helped create a fairer and more equal society through his Great Society reforms.
- Passed major civil rights laws, tackled poverty, and reformed healthcare and education.
- But faced growing opposition due to the Vietnam War:
- It was expensive, reducing funding for social programmes.
- It was unpopular, especially with young people, leading to student protests.
- The use of the draft (conscription) was seen as unfair and led to national unrest.
How did the Vietnam War affect Johnson’s domestic policies and his ability to help Americans?
The cost of the Vietnam War took funds away from domestic reforms, limiting the impact of Great Society policies.
The war led to public dissatisfaction, protests, and loss of support for Johnson’s leadership.
The focus on war overshadowed efforts to tackle poverty and racial inequality.
Why did Johnson’s reforms not fully eliminate poverty and racial inequality?
Despite the “War on Poverty”, many Americans, especially in inner cities and rural areas, continued to struggle with poverty.
Racism and economic inequality persisted in housing, employment, and education, especially for Black Americans.
Educational reforms didn’t close the gap between wealthy and poor schools.
What was the 1963 report by the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women?
Women earned around 60% less than men for the same job.
95% of managers were men, and most women’s work was part-time with limited responsibilities.
Well-paid professional jobs (lawyers, doctors) were predominantly held by men.
How did Betty Friedan influence the feminist movement in the 1960s?
- Betty Friedan was a key leader in the feminist movement. In 1963, her groundbreaking book “The Feminine Mystique” explored how many women felt unfulfilled by being confined to the roles of housewives and mothers.
- She argued that many women had been conditioned to accept lives of domesticity, which limited their opportunities and personal growth.
- Friedan’s book sparked widespread discussion and became a catalyst for the feminist movement, pushing for greater employment opportunities and educational access for women.
What was the National Organization for Women (NOW), and what were its key goals?
- In 1966, Betty Friedan and 48 other activists founded the National Organization for Women (NOW).
NOW’s main goals included:
- Ending employment discrimination, ensuring equal pay for men and women in the same jobs.
- Securing legal equality for women and advocating for childcare provision, paid maternity leave, and legalized abortion.
- NOW used legal action, lobbying, and public campaigns to push for these changes and to ensure that women’s rights were protected by law.
What was the Women’s Liberation Movement (Women’s Lib), and how was it different from NOW?
- The Women’s Liberation Movement (Women’s Lib) was a more radical and direct action-oriented branch of the feminist movement.
- It was mainly composed of younger women, many of whom were dissatisfied with the more moderate approach of groups like NOW.
- Women’s Lib focused on confronting patriarchy as the root cause of women’s inequality and oppression, and sought freedom from men’s control over women’s lives.
- One key event was the 1968 Miss America beauty pageant protest, where women protested the objectification of women by the media and society.
- Members of the Women’s Lib movement believed in radical social change and organized protests, meetings, and direct action campaigns to challenge gender norms.
