Unit 9 Lesson 4: The Presidencies of Kennedy and Johnson Flashcards
(55 cards)
In his acceptance speech for the Democratic presidential nomination, John Fitzgerald Kennedy envisioned a “New Frontier” for the country. What does that mean
His vision was characterized by the social and economic freedoms established by Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, propelled by a younger, more energetic administration.
Kennedy won the 1960 election and became the nation’s 35th president. What was his relationship with congress
But his narrow margin of victory and lack of firm support from members of his own party made achieving some of his domestic policy goals difficult.
The Kenndy’s administration main achievements came primarily in poverty relief and care for the disabled.
With Kennedy’s involvement, Congress expanded unemployment benefits, tested a food stamp program, and expanded the school lunch program to cover more students.
Encouraged by Congress’s passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1960, Kennedy focused on the passage of a bill proposing a constitutional amendment outlawing poll taxes. What did this become
this bill became the Twenty-Fourth Amendment, proposed in 1962 and fully ratified in 1964.
Why was Kennedy cautious in assisting African Americans in their fight for full citizenship rights.
Lacking strong support in Congress, Kennedy was cautious in assisting African Americans in their fight for full citizenship rights. He did, however, work on securing the voting rights of African Americans.
What did Kenndey do in hope of gaining allies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America
In hope of gaining allies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the federal government increased efforts to secure the civil rights of African Americans in the 1960s
Why did Kennedy focus narrowly on African American voting rights rather than proposing even broader legislation to cover more civil rights issues?
Kennedy did not have strong support in Congress, even from fellow Democrats, so he had to be careful choosing which policies to push and how far he should push them.
Kennedy focused most of his energies on foreign policy, an area in which he had great interest. He had promised in his inaugural address to protect the interests of the “free world.” What was his main goal
Although he engaged in Cold War politics, his desire was to promote the strength of American ideals rather than threaten to use American power.
What did Kennedy do that increased support for public mental health services
In October 1963, Congress passed the Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act, which increased support for public mental health services.
One way Kennedy worked to counter Soviet influence in the developing world was by initiating the Alliance for Progress. Whats that
This program sought to collaborate with the governments of Latin American countries to promote economic growth and social stability. The goal was to prevent the citizens of these nations from turning to communism.
Why did Kennedy establish the U.S. Agency for International Development
Kennedy also established the U.S. Agency for International Development to oversee foreign aid.
Kenndey founded the Peace crops. Who were the peace crops and what did they do
The Peace Corps recruited idealistic young people to work on humanitarian projects in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Why did Kenndey start the peace crops
. Kennedy wanted to increase food supplies and improve health care and education in these regions. He thought that this would encourage developing nations to align themselves with the United States rather than with the Soviets or the Chinese, the two major communist powers.
The Peace Corps was an example of American
“soft power.”
Based on the information you just read, how would you define “American soft power”?
American soft power can be defined as American influence that is promoted through diplomacy, aid, and other humanitarian means. It is the opposite of military power, or “hard power.”
Describe GErmany Divsion sistuation
Despite its official name, East Germany was not democratic but communist, controlled by the Soviet Union. West Germany was a democratic nation. The United Kingdom, France, and the United States controlled West Berlin. The city of Berlin was located entirely within East Germany, but, like greater Germany, it was divided into western and eastern jurisdictions.
Ever since the Allies had divided Germany in 1949, people had been moving steadily out of East Germany looking for better job opportunities and the promise of freedom. Most of them crossed from East to West Berlin and then took trains and planes to the west. How did this affect East Germany and what was there reposne.
. East Germany was losing many of its brightest minds and most skilled professionals and laborers. The nation decided to stop this migration.
How did East GErmany stop immigration
Overnight between August 12 and 13, 1961, East German workers in Berlin hastily constructed a wall; The Berlin Wall
According to Kennedy, what does the wall indicate about communism?
The wall indicates that communism is a failed system.
Aid projects such as the Peace Corps fit closely with the Kennedy administration’s military strategy of flexible response.
. The plan was to develop different strategies, tactics, and capabilities to respond more appropriately to uprisings and political or diplomatic crises.
What did popel of the bay of pigs belive america was going to do for them
After landing at the Bay of Pigs on the Cuban coast, these insurgents, the CIA believed, would lead an uprising to topple Castro’s government. The United States also promised air support for the invasion.
Castro had led the revolution that toppled U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959. Castro brought communism too close for comfort for the U.S. government. What did the CIA plan/do in response to this
. Leaders tasked the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to look for a way to remove Castro from power. Rather than stage an open U.S. military invasion, the CIA instead trained a small force of Cuban exiles to sneak in and persuade the Cuban people to do the job
. In 1962, the Soviet Union sent troops and warships to Cuba to help strengthen the island’s defenses against U.S. aggression. On October 14, U.S. spy planes confirmed the presence of long-range ballistic missile sites in Cuba. How did Kennedy respond
Kennedy deployed a naval quarantine of Cuba, with U.S. warships surrounding the island. If the Soviets tried to break the quarantine, it would mean war. For the next 13 days, the world remained on the brink of nuclear conflict
Outcome of the pay of pigs invasion
This made it easy for Castro’s army to defeat the insurgents before they could carry out their mission. The hoped-for uprising of the Cuban people failed, and that failure had dire consequences.
The Bay of Pigs invasion was a major foreign policy test for President Kennedy.