JFK's Presidency

1. JFK and
“”New Politics”

2. Why not Ike?
Ike would have likely been nominated
by Republicans a 3rd time, but the 22nd
Amendment didn’t allow for it
1960 Rep. candidate: Nixon
 Campaigned for an updated version of
Ike’s strategies
 Ike’s popularity by 1960 was only average,
so there was no guarantee that the policies
would continue to work

3. JFK
1960 Democratic candidate
Campaigned over “new politics”,
emphasizing new charisma, style, and
personality over political issues and
platforms

4. Power of television
Utilized TV for the first time
Also used polling data for public opinion
Four televised debates between JFK
and Nixon showed how significant an
impact TV had on society
It showed physical differences between
the two, which gave JFK a huge
advantage as far as his personal image

5. Debates
Those who watched their debate on TV
said JFK won, those who listened on
radio said Nixon won
JFK won popular vote 49.7% to 49.5%
Electoral vote was 303-219
JFK appealed to Catholics and black
voters, along with middle class
His VP, LBJ, won over the southern
vote, including TX

7. Foreign Affairs
JFK felt this was the biggest priority
Was strongly against communism
The defense budget again increased
under him, but not only due to nuclear
weapons
Needed to be prepared for any attack,
large or small, which meant building up
all areas of military

8. Counterinsurgency
Green Berets (Special Forces) were
repelling random, small-scale attacks
such as those in guerilla warfare
 Est. in 1952
 Trained to fight unconventional warfare

9. Peace Corps
JFK big on public service, est. Peace
Corps
Thousands of youths devoted at least
two years to programs that helped
African villagers obtain adequate
supplies of water
It was also a Cold War weapon to try to
sway countries to American influence
away from Communists

10. Aid
JFK also pushed for economic aid to
developing countries
Funds and supplies for food, education,
medicine, and other services

11. Cuba
JFK tried to overthrow the new
Communist regime in Cuba
By 1961, the US had declared an
embargo on all exports to Cuba
Cut back on imports of sugar
Broken off diplomatic relations with
Castro

12. As a result...
Castro turned towards the Soviets for
economic and military support
Bay of Pigs: JFK tried to send 1,400
anti-Castro Nicaraguans to overthrow
Castro
Failed miserably

13. Germany
Soviets had a large military presence to
isolate the area of Berlin controlled by
West Germany
JFK sent 40,000 troops to Germany
Soon thereafter, Soviets began
constructing the Berlin Wall, which kept
people from fleeing from East to West
Germany
Became the symbol for Cold War until
1989

14. 1962: Climax of Cold War
JFK continued efforts to overthrow
Castro
Soviets built up nuclear arsenal in Cuba
Destructive weaponry was within range
of the US in the form of missile bases
Fear of nuclear war was prevalent

15. Soviet ships
Soviet ships turned back with missiles
at the last minute
Concessions were made:
 JFK said he would not invade Cuba
 Khrushchev said he would dismantle
missile bases

16. 1963
US, Soviets, Britain agreed to ban the
testing of nuclear weapons in
atmosphere, space, and under water
Underground testing did continue
Despite all the efforts to stop Cold War
fears, it continued on for 25 more years
Most foreign policy by the US was tied
to Soviets

17. Domestic Policy
JFK not as strong in this area: his
efforts were with foreign policy
He did increase funding for NASA
First to allow for deficit spending
 Done to stimulate economic growth
 Reduced income taxes
 Congress did not pass the plan, but under
LBJ, it did pass a few years later

18. Other
Raised minimum wage
Expanded Social Security
Not a whole lot else was accomplished