The New Frontier 28 2 Notes The Camelot

The New Frontier 28. 2 Notes

The Camelot Years • “Ask not what your country can do for you – Ask what you can do for your country. ”

The Camelot Years • Kennedy brought a majestic feel to the White House. • Kennedy and his family were very charismatic & youthful • Entertained people frequently at the White House • Jacqueline Kennedy • American women looked up to and mimicked Jacqueline Kennedy

President’s Advisors • Kennedy hired a very well educated staff (copied Roosevelt) as advisors • Robert Mc. Namara – Sec. of defense • Mc. George Bundy – National Security Advisor • Robert Kennedy – Attorney General • Dean Rusk – Secretary of State

Promise of Progress • “Americans are new pioneers, they should explore uncharted areas of science and space, unconquered pockets of ignorance and prejudice, unasnwered questions of poverty and surplus”

Promise of Progress • Kennedy’s Plan for America was called the New Frontier • Medical Care for the elderly • Rebuild Urban Areas • Improve Education • Kennedy’s election was a narrow victory and he could not get the legislative branch to help him fulfill his plan

Kennedy gets some help • Congress agrees to • Build up the national defenses • Provide international aid to communist resisting countries • Fund the Space Program

Stimulating the Economy • The President is usually seen as the responsible party for economic growth or recession • Who has the power to influence the economy? • Kennedy introduced the idea of deficit spending • The Government spending more money than it takes in to stimulate economic growth • US Military received a 20% budget increase • Minimum wage increased by $1. 25 • Increased government unemployment benefits

Addressing Poverty Abroad • Kennedy created the Peace Corp • Volunteers who go to impoverished countries to aid them. • Volunteers are usually young college graduates.

Race to the Moon • Russia sent the first man into space • Kennedy held a special session of Congress to address Russia’s triumph • The US created NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

Race to the Moon • John Glenn became the first American man in space • July 20, 1969 Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the moon. • Created a national focus on education • Science became a core class • Increased federal funding for electronics and computers

Kennedy takes sides on Civil Rights and Poverty • Economic Boom created by Deficit spending and the Space Race didn’t reach the South • Avoiding the Civil Rights issue, Kennedy in 1963 takes a political stand against prejudice in the South • Kennedy however, never got the opportunity to finish this battle