Vocab
Define the presidential debate
The first televised debate between candidates John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.
Define Alliance for Progress
A program created by JFK which aimed to repair the relationship between the United States and Latin America through economic assistance.
What is the Berlin Wall?
A wall separating communist East Berlin and capitalist West Berlin. The wall came to represent the spreading ideals of communism. It stood from 1961 to 1989.
What did the Warren Commission determine was the cause of JFK’s assassination?
There was no great conspiracy behind JFK’s death. Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.
How did events like the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis impact the United States’s reputation?
When Kennedy became President, the relationship between Cuba and the United States was not a positive one. This is because Fidel Castro, who led Cuba, was a communist leader who the United States did not like. The Bay of Pigs attempted to overthrow Castro and was a failure and embarrassment for the Kennedy Administration. The Cuban Missile Crisis almost threw the world into nuclear war and put a lot of pressure on JFK’s shoulders.
Define a mandate
When a President is elected, they are given the authority to make important decisions because the people voted them into office. This is known as a mandate: authority given by voters.
Define Peace Corps
Another program started by JFK. The Peace Corps accepts volunteers who move to developing nations in order to provide economic and social development assistance.
Why were some American citizens hesitant to elect John F. Kennedy?
Because of his age, experience in politics, and his religion. He was not the typical politician of the time.
Who was Barry Goldwater?
An Arizona senator who ran against LBJ in the 1964 election.
Identify one possible conspiracy theory that came out of the JFK assassination. Summarize the conspiracy theory and include one detail that convinced people the conspiracy might be true.
One conspiracy theory about the JFK assassination was that the CIA had something to do with assassinating the President. The CIA would have had the means and capability to remove Kennedy from office if they wanted to. They had already done it in other countries. One interesting detail that convinced people the theory might be true is that Kennedy fired the CIA director, who later served on the Warren Commission which found that there was no conspiracy behind JFK’s death.
Define the new frontier
JFK’s domestic policies which aimed to solve the economic recession, poverty, and the Space Race.
Define Warren Commission
After JFK was assassinated, the Warren Commission was created by LBJ to investigate the assassination.
What did the Kennedy administration inspire in Americans?
Hope for a better future.
Why was LBJ successful in passing his programs and ideas through Congress?
He had worked in politics for a long time and was more well-known than JFK amongst Congressmen and Senators. He also had a clear mandate due to his landslide win.
Throughout the 1960's, tensions increased between the United States and the Soviet Union, resulting in widespread fear. What were Americans afraid of? What did Americans do to address these fears?
Americans were very afraid of being attacked by the Soviets via nuclear missiles. In order to prepare, many Americans taught their children to “duck and cover” beneath their desks during school. The idea was that sheltering in place during a nuclear attack would protect individuals from harm. Americans also began to mistrust their neighbors and friends who were potentially communist sympathizers.
Define the bay of pigs
In 1961, JFK and the CIA tried to remove Fidel Castro from power in Cuba. With the help of Cuban exiles, the United States invaded Cuba, but the plan was a failure.
Define the Great Society
LBJ’s domestic policy programs which aimed to assist Americans in poverty, develop greater environmental programs, and address civil rights issues for Americans of color.
What were the results of the Cuban Missile Crisis?
The Soviets removed their missiles from Cuba, but tensions between the United States and the Soviets still continued.
What was the major goal of Johnson’s Great Society?
To end issues like poverty, injustice, and economic hardship.
Define the Cuban Missile Trials
After the Bay of Pigs, Cuba became closer allies with the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union provided missiles to Cuba, eighty miles off the coast of Florida. During a thirteen day period, JFK and the Soviets argued back and forth about who should remove their missiles first.
Define Warren Court
Named after Chief Justice Earl Warren. The Warren Court made many landmark decisions that protected the rights of individuals in the United States
What were Americans afraid of during the Cold War?
Nuclear attack from the Soviets.
Who did the Warren Court try to protect with their rulings?
Those accused of a crime, citizens of color, and voters.