Kennedy Complete Flashcards
Name the two candidates running in the 1960 presidential election.
Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy
Why did Nixon appear exhausted in the televised debate?
He travelled to all 50 US states in his election campaign and refused make up
How did Eisenhower damage Nixon’s campaign?
He defended his own record instead of supporting Nixon
What were Kennedy’s strengths as a candidate in the 1960 election?
He was young, charming and charismatic
By what % of votes did Kennedy win the 1960 election?
0.17%
What name was given to Kennedy’s policies that challenged the American people?
The New Frontier
What three key things did Kennedy challenge Americans to deal with?
- ‘poverty and surplus’
- ‘ignorance and prejudice’
- ‘science and space’
How did Kennedy’ policies target poor voters and Democrats?
They showed a commitment to liberalism
What name was given to Kennedy’s team of advisers?
The Best and Brightest
Who was Kennedy’s speech writer?
Theodore Sorensen
Who was Kennedy’s Secretary of Defence?
Robert McNamara
Who was Kennedy’s Vice President and why was he picked?
Lyndon B Johnson - to win southern votes
Who was Kennedy’s Secretary of State?
Dean Rusk
How many people remained unemployed during Kennedy’s presidency?
5 millino
Why is Kennedy’s legislative record considered unimpressive by historians?
Congress rejected his major policies
What did Kennedy increase the minimum wage to?
$1.25 per hour
Which act created 26,000 jobs?
The Area Redevelopment Act
What key issue did Khrushchev and Kennedy disagree about in Vienna in 1961?
The Brain Drain in Germany
What did Khrushchev hope to achieve with the USA?
Peaceful Co-Existence
What expanded under Kennedy?
Interstate highways supporting construction industry
Who did Kennedy’s Social Security Amendments help?
Elderly and disabled
What was impact of Kennedy’s food stamp program?
240,000 people were fed
Who was the leader of the USSR during Kennedy’s presidency?
Nikita Khrushchev
What does Peaceful Co-existence mean?
the idea that the USSR and USA could exist peacefully alongside each other