The Aura of Camelot The Kennedy Presidency The

The Aura of Camelot The Kennedy Presidency!

The Kennedy Family and Political Career! • A political dynasty! • Raised to eventually enter public life. • Kennedy served as a House and senate member. • Running mate with Adlai Stevenson as VP for the 1956 election

John F. Kennedy Gains Democratic Nomination for President • “Get the Country MOVING again…” • Lyndon B. Johnson is the VP running mate. • “We stand on the edge of a NEW FRONTIER!” • Appeals to the younger voters.

“Kennedy, Kennedy” • Why might the song start with a chorus repeating Kennedy’s name? • What does the song list as Kennedy’s strengths? • Why might this song attract voters to Kennedy?

Kennedy wins the 1960 Election • Kennedy’s youth turns out to be an asset! • His political vision is called, “New Frontier”= Frontier to help those who are young, old, poor, minorities, & gain the advantage in the Cold War! • The great debates= first televised Presidential debates!

OUTCOME: • Popular Vote: NIXON= 49. 5% KENNEDY= 49. 7% • Electoral Votes: NIXON= 219 KENNEDY= 303

Kennedy’s Inauguration…

Kennedy uses TV to push his agenda… • Held live press conferences with enthusiastic speeches=adds to popularity! • An AMBITIOUS AGENDA – Alliance for progress – Peace Corps – Increase $ for Space Program – Increase minimum wage – Expand Social Security – Economic aid for depressed industrial and rural areas. – Civil Rights Bill – Income Tax Reduction Goal: to improve American lives and assist the economically underprivileged people of foreign nations.

The Kennedy's Public Appeal and Administration… “Camelot!”

Kennedy and Civil Rights • By 1963, the Civil Rights Movement had gained enormous strength. • Stance: Kennedy was horrified by the brutality in B’ham he saw on TV. (Decided he had to act) • Proposes legislation that will not be passed until after his death. (Civil Rights Act of 1964 - bans segregation in public facilities!)

MOON EXPEDITIONS • July 20 th, 1969= Neil Armstrong became the first human being to set foot on the moon! • “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind!” • The space program created new industries, jobs and products! • A great emotional boost for a turbulent decade!!

Kennedy’s Assassination • November 22, 1963, shot in the head while riding in a convertible in Texas. • Lee Harvey Oswald charged with the murder. • The Warren Commission investigates & concludes Oswald had acted alone in the murder • Lyndon B. Johnson sworn in as President an hour after Kennedy was shot! (movie clip)

Public Response to Kennedy’s Assassination… • Shocked and traumatized the nation! • America felt robbed of the energy, confidence, and hope he represented! • Turbulent times ahead in the 1960’s

Eulogy for Camelot In the space provided, write a “Eulogy for Camelot” that highlights the accomplishments of the Kennedy administration. It can cover the areas of: Civil Rights Legislation Space Exploration Foreign Affairs Social Programs Leadership, etc… Eulogy must be complete with actual facts from lecture. I will look for quality not quantity, however I would recommend it be at least 3 paragraphs. Please have an opening paragraph with a proper thesis statement and conclude the eulogy with appropriate conclusion paragraph. DUE WEDNESDAY for 30 points should you choose to do it.

Led by the youthful President Kennedy, America entered a new decade and a “New Frontier. ” To get his message across, Kennedy used television so more Americans could see and hear. He moved cautiously on Civil Rights, but he did support a voting rights bill. Though many say he didn’t do enough, others argue, given the times, he couldn’t have done more. After the Soviet Gagarin orbited the earth, Kennedy pledged that the US would venture into space. Some eight years later, in 1969, Kennedy’s promise was kept when astronaut Armstrong won the moon race. Though Camelot had raised great hopes and made great promises, on November 22, 1963, it all ended.