Kennedy's New Frontier
Kennedy believed that the government should establish many of the people’s rights, but also believed in new ideas and ways for the government to help the people.
Kennedy had many new ideas planned for when he was in office.
Kennedy achieved much of what he wanted to achieve, specifically in the economy. Kennedy encouraged deficit spending, in an effort to create more jobs and expand the economy. Although many people are afraid of deficit spending because of the idea of going into debt, sometimes it is necessary to take chances in order to receive more in the end. Kennedy also requested that businesses to hold down prices on products. As well as asking business to hold down pay increases, but many business in the steal industry raised prices harshly. Kennedy then reacted by threatening to have the Department of Defense buy cheaper foreign steel, as well as asked the Justice Department to investigate whether the steel industry was fixing prices. This shows that in many different situations the government needs to intervene, and sacrifice one's rights in order to maintain order.
http://www.history.com/shows/jfk-specials (Picture
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http://www.history.com/shows/jfk-specials (Picture
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In the 1960’s, when Kennedy was president, new ideas and the government being involved in people’s rights was necessary because of the social and political situations along with the new art movement.
Social: During the 1950s and '60s the social movement was a way for new ideas to be incorporated into the government. Many citizens did not agree with the government being involved in the rights of Africa Americans. Those citizens felt that they were superior to African Americans, because of their skin color. This caused a great deal of tension in the United States. This meant that the government had to become involved in the rights of African Americans in order to maintain peace in society.
http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2012_10_09_archive.html (Picture URL)
http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2012_10_09_archive.html (Picture URL)
Political:In the 1960s the Cold War was a huge part of the political events. The Cold War was the tension between the communist countries and the non-communist countries. This struggle between countries, like any, created stress inside the countries themselves. Thus making the United States government extra careful about the leaking of important government information to communist countries. As well as the fear that the communist countries would try to take over the United States, ie. the Cuban Missile Crisis of November 1962. This prepared the government to sacrifice some of American's right for the safety of the country. Meaning that the government was involved in creating and taking away people's rights
http://www.nationofchange.org/cold-war-redux-1370007737 (Picture URL)
http://www.nationofchange.org/cold-war-redux-1370007737 (Picture URL)
New Art/Ideas: Pop art was completely new in the '50s and '60s. Since most of the 1960s was a huge movement for change this was very fitting. Kennedy was very open to new ideas. Although this new type of art did not affect the government in any decision making, it may have persuaded them to be more receptive to other new ideas, such as social rights for both woman and African Americans.
http://artobserved.com/artists/andy-warhol/ (Picture URL)
http://artobserved.com/artists/andy-warhol/ (Picture URL)
Historical Connections!!
Although the 1960s were a time of new movements, it was still very similar to the earlier years of the United States.
U.S. As A world Power: During this time Albert J. Beveridge believed that the U.S. should conquer other lands. "We are a conquering race. We must obey our blood and occupy new markets, and if necessary new lands," Albert J. Beveridge. In the 1960s through the Peace Corps John F. Kennedy wanted to help emerging nations establish a "decent way of life which is the foundation of freedom and a condition of peace," John F. Kennedy. This meant that both of these men were willing to sacrifice one's rights in other nations order to help those nations, even if they did not ask for help. http://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset-Viewer/hhtcL_SOfE-yb-h8QAaiqQ.aspx (Picture URL)
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The Progressive Era: "The Progressive Era was a time when many Americans tried to improve their society. They tried to make government honest, efficient, and more democratic. The movement for women's suffrage gained more support, as did efforts to limit child labor and reduce alcohol abuse," (The American Vision pg. 292). Kennedy wanted to expand on women's rights as well. Although many don't want the federal government to be involved in the making of one's rights, it is necessary in order for one to receive rights. This is true in both the Progressive Era and the 1960s.
http://www.womensviewsonnews.org/2012/01/no-longer-reasonable-the-power-of-angry-women/ (Picture URL)
http://www.womensviewsonnews.org/2012/01/no-longer-reasonable-the-power-of-angry-women/ (Picture URL)
World War 1: One of the main causes of World War 1 was Nationalism. Nationalism is the feeling of pride an superiority for one's "homeland" and ethnic group. As well as ethnic groups demand independence in countries /empires. During the '60s Malcolm X demanded rights for African Americans. Although African Americans didn't necessarily feel superior to any other race many, like Malcolm X, demanded rights. Prior to Kennedy's presidency African Americans weren't treated as equals. And many didn't believe that African Americans should ever be treated like equals. So when many of the social movements of the '60s came about many were very angry. So in order to keep peace and order it was necessary for the government to step in and help.
http://www.jetmag.com/news/today-in-black-history-rest-in-peace-malcolm-x/ (Picture URL)
http://www.jetmag.com/news/today-in-black-history-rest-in-peace-malcolm-x/ (Picture URL)
The Roaring '20s: After WWI the government was trying to put the U.S. back together. When the war was over and the troops were home a new excitement filled the country. And with this excitement came new ideas and policies. During the 1920s Andrew Mellon's new policy was to create a balanced budget, reduce debt, and to cut taxes. In the '60s Kennedy had the same idea to cut taxes. He wanted to help business to expand and to create new jobs. Therefor expanding the economy. This meant that the government was open to both old and new ideas.
http://www.mellon.org/about_foundation/history/andrew-w-mellon (Picture URL)
http://www.mellon.org/about_foundation/history/andrew-w-mellon (Picture URL)
The Great Depression and The New Deal: After the excitement and new movements of the Roaring '20s the great depression hit. Many families weren't able to find jobs, and therefor weren't able to eat. Many felt responsible for their families' and the fact that they weren't getting regular meals caused them to be depressed. But when President Roosevelt was elected many had new found hope that times would now be better. During his presidency Roosevelt had many new programs, acts, and ideas to help get America out of The Great Depression. For example Social Security, housing acts and creating jobs. All of these were very similar to what JFK wanted to do. JFK planned to have a program to insure the elderly. He also built houses in low income areas for those who needed them. JFK didn't directly create jobs, but did want to cut tax rates in order to help businesses expand and to create jobs. But in the end cutting taxes wasn't passed. Although these presidents weren't successive they had many of the same ideas. Both presidents had ideas that many said were unconstitutional, but the presidents were ready to sacrifice American citizen's rights to make America a better place.
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http://blog.teachingamericanhistory.org/2014/03/25/fdrs-vision-for-a-postwar-america/ (
(Picture URL)
http://blog.teachingamericanhistory.org/2014/03/25/fdrs-vision-for-a-postwar-america/ (
Current Connection/Significance
Although the 1960's were over 40 years ago, it is still relevant and we can still learn from many of the events of the 1960s
President Kennedy and President Obama are very similar. During their campaigns, Kennedy and Obama caught voters' attention by fighting for the common man. Meaning both wanted to fight for the middle class. Both were very young and different from who was normally elected for president. Kennedy was the first Irish-Catholic man to be elected president, and Obama is the first president to be elected of African American descent. Both believe in fighting for civil rights and for those that are less fortunate. They both wanted to make insurance accessible to everybody. Kennedy wanted to provide medical insurance to the elderly. Obama wants to keep social security, as well as have a program to allow everybody to get medical insurance, not just those who can afford medical insurance. Both men wanted to help the people of the United States and were open to new ideas and ways to do so.