The Cold War 1960s Version A The Election

The Cold War: 1960’s Version

A. The Election of 1960

The Nominees Both born in the 20 th century! • Richard Nixon (Rep) • Vice President • “Kitchen Debates” • John F. Kennedy (Dem) • Called on a “New Frontier” • Problem: Catholicism

The Debates • A series of 4 debates • 1 st time debates aired on television • Kennedy took the lead because of appearance

The Results • Kennedy barely won – 0. 1% victory • IL & TX were contested states • Nixon refused to call for a recount – it would cause a “Constitutional Crisis”

Kennedy’s Inauguration "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. "

B. Flexible Response

Eisenhower’s New Look Program • Ike concentrated on the buildup of nuclear weapons • Cut government spending on more conventional (nonnuclear) weapons • Part of “Massive Retaliation”

Flexible Response • Felt the “New Look” limited the U. S. • Wanted to be able to respond without resorting to nuclear weapons • Increased spending on conventional armed forces • Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)

C. Bay of Pigs (1961)

Bay of Pigs – April 15 -21, 1961 • Planned by Eisenhower • Kennedy approved • 1400 CIA trained Cuban Exiles invaded Cuba to overthrow Castro • Most either captured or killed by Castro • Huge embarrassment for Kennedy • Cuba now wary of the U. S.

Giron. First defeat of (the) Yankee Imperialism in Latin America.

D. Operation Mongoose

The Plot (a. k. a. The Cuban Project) • • CIA planned attack to sabotage Castro Either to overthrow and/or kill him Kennedy approved Ultimately unsuccessful

E. The Peace Corps

• Est. in 1961 • Sent volunteers to 3 rd world nations • Alternative to military containment • One of Kennedy’s most popular and lasting program • Since 1961, over 187, 000 have served

F. Alliance for Progress

“Latin American Marshall Plan” • Created in 1961 • Provided $20 billion to Latin America • Goal was to contain Cuban communist threat • Close the gap between rich and poor • Ultimately failed – Too few Latin American govts helped – Too few dollars ($10/Latin American) – After Kennedy, no presidential support

G. The Berlin Wall

• Constructed in August 1961 to stop the flee of Berliners from East to West • Feared there was a “Brain Drain”

Kennedy’s Visit • Visited June 1963 • Speech given criticizing communism • Used Wall as an example of its failures – “Ich bin ein Berliner" “Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in. "

H. Cuban Missile Crisis

• October 14, 1962 – American U-2 plane spied missiles in Cuba

• Kennedy alerted on Oct 16 – begins 13 days where the U. S. feared a nuclear would begin

• October 22 - Kennedy decided to blockade Cuba from the Soviet Union to avert war

End of the Crisis • October 26 – Khrushchev stated the missiles would be removed if the U. S. would not invade Cuba, end blockade, & remove missile from Turkey • Oct 28, Kennedy agrees but only publicly agrees to first two conditions • War was averted, but changed Kennedy’s attitude toward the Cold War

Establishment of the Hotline • Direct phone line from Washington to Moscow • 24 hour access to avert crisis • First used in 1967

I. Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

• Banned atmospheric testing of nuclear testing • Developed to slow the arms race and stop the excessive rate of nuclear fall out in the atmosphere