presidents Flashcards
what were Kennedy’s successes in civil rights?
-hired Thurgood Marshall (black civil rights activist) as a federal judge
-suppourting James Meredith
-introducing the civil rights bill to congress
when was kennedy the president?
from 1960-1963
what was kennedy’s policy called?
the New Frontier
what did Kennedy want as a president?
to create a fairer society with greater oppourtunity for all
why did people not entirely like kennedy to start with? (5)
-his catholicism caused problems
-may argued he was trying to change things to quickly
-inexperienced
-southern congressmen disliked his commitment to civil rights
-only narrowly won the election
what did Kennedy do economically?
-cut taxes to increase spending and boost the economy
-increased spending on defence and space tech (created jobs)
how did people benefit economically from Kennedy’s presidency?
-minimum wage increased to $1.25
-set up training schemes for the unemployed
what social schemes did Kennedy set up?
-planned to start Medicare to provide cheaper state health insurance
-Housing Act 1961 to redevelop the inner cities
why were Kennedy’s reforms limited?
his assassination in 1963 limited his reforms
in what years was johnson president?
1963-68
why were Johnson’s successes often overshadowed?
-the reputation of JFK
-US involvment in the Vietnam War
what was Johnson’s policy called? what did he want to do?
-the Great Society
-continue the work of JFK
-war on poverty
-end racial discrimination
what were Johnson’s sucesses?
-as he was from Texas he could deal with southern democrats opposition
-more sucessful than any other president at passing bills
-passed the Civil Rights Act (1964) and the Voting Rights Act (1965)
what did Johnson do about healthcare?
Medical Care Act 1965 - attempted to ensure that everyone had access to healthcare through Medicare for the old and Medicaid for the poor
what did Johnson do about education?
passed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to ensure the quality of education was equal across the US - federal money was used to ensure this
what did Johnson do to improve living conditions in big cities?
The Model Cities Act 1966 - provided federal funds for slum clearance and the provision of better services
what did Johnson increase the minimum wage to?
$1.40 an hour
what were arguments against Johnson?
-republicans said he overspent and undermined rugged individualism
-accused of not helping inner cities enough
why did LBJ eventually have to cut spending on the Great Society?
when he had to pay for the vietnam war
when was Nixon president?
1968-74
why was Nixon forced to resign?
the Watergate scandal
what was CREEP?
the organisation that Nixon set up to get him re-elected using whatever means necessary
when and why were five members of CREEP arrested?
-June 1972
-for breaking into Watergate offices (the Democrats HQ)
how did info about the Watergate scandal get out?
the Washington Post were the ones who found out that the criminals were from CREEP and that CREEP was funded by the white house
what was Nixon’s reaction to the Watergate scandal getting out?
he denied his involvment but admitted that two of his advisors were involved
they resigned
what had Nixon installed in the white house?
-he had installed a tape recording system in the white house
-he initially refused to hand over these tapes
did Nixon hand over the tapes right away? elborate.
-in 1973 he handed over 7/9 tapes with 18 minutes missing from one
-in 1974 he had to hand over all of the tapes and they revealed his involvment
why did Nixon resign?
to avoid impeachment
when did Nixon resign?
Aug 1974
what did Ford (the president after Nixon) do?
pardoned him of any criminal acts
what were the effects of the Watergate scandal?
-damaged Nixon’s rep and the attitude towards politics
-USA was made a laughing stock - the USSR used it as fuel against capitalism (plus it was at the same time they were withdrawing from Vietnam.)
when was Regan president?
1981-89