The Turbulent SixtiesThe Turbulent Sixties

Kennedy Intensifies the Cold WarKennedy Intensifies the Cold War

John F. Kennedy, “Cold Warrior”John F. Kennedy, “Cold Warrior” Flexible ResponseFlexible Response

– Poured massive amounts of money into Poured massive amounts of money into building up the conventional armed building up the conventional armed forces, the nuclear arsenal, and the forces, the nuclear arsenal, and the Special ForcesSpecial Forces

Crisis over BerlinCrisis over Berlin

Kennedy Intensifies the Cold War Kennedy Intensifies the Cold War ContinuedContinued

Containment in Southeast AsiaContainment in Southeast Asia– 16,000 American military “advisors”16,000 American military “advisors”– Military coupMilitary coup

Fidel Castro: The Bay of Pigs FiascoFidel Castro: The Bay of Pigs Fiasco The Cuban Missile Crisis The Cuban Missile Crisis

The New Frontier at HomeThe New Frontier at Home The Congressional ObstacleThe Congressional Obstacle

– Congress controlled by southern Democrats in Congress controlled by southern Democrats in league with Republicansleague with Republicans

– Kennedy did not challenge CongressKennedy did not challenge Congress Economic AdvisorsEconomic Advisors

– Kennedy stimulated the economy by increased Kennedy stimulated the economy by increased spending on space and defensespending on space and defense

– In 1963, Kennedy pushed tax cut through In 1963, Kennedy pushed tax cut through CongressCongress

– Kennedy’s economic policies doubled the rate Kennedy’s economic policies doubled the rate of growth and cut unemployment of growth and cut unemployment

However, poorest part of the population However, poorest part of the population reaped no benefits.reaped no benefits.

The New Frontier at Home Cont’dThe New Frontier at Home Cont’d

Moving Slowly on Civil RightsMoving Slowly on Civil Rights– Kennedy campaigned on a strong civil-rights Kennedy campaigned on a strong civil-rights

platform, but did not want to alienate southern platform, but did not want to alienate southern Democrats in Congress.Democrats in Congress.

““I Have a Dream”I Have a Dream”– Kennedy was forced into a more active roleKennedy was forced into a more active role– Civil-rights leaders organized a march on Civil-rights leaders organized a march on

Washington in August 1963,highlighted by Washington in August 1963,highlighted by King’s speech.King’s speech.

The Supreme Court and ReformThe Supreme Court and Reform– 1962 case of 1962 case of Baker v. CarrBaker v. Carr

““one man, one vote” one man, one vote”

““Let Us Continue”Let Us Continue”

Kennedy’s assassination by Lee Kennedy’s assassination by Lee Harvey Oswald left the nation Harvey Oswald left the nation stunned.stunned.

Johnson in ActionJohnson in Action– Johnson was energetic and forceful, but Johnson was energetic and forceful, but

appeared crude and insincere on TV.appeared crude and insincere on TV.– Succeeded in gaining passage of the Succeeded in gaining passage of the

1964 Civil rights Act. 1964 Civil rights Act.

““Let Us Continue” Cont’dLet Us Continue” Cont’d

The Election of 1964The Election of 1964– Johnson chose to make America’s Johnson chose to make America’s

persistent poverty his own special issue.persistent poverty his own special issue. The Triumph of ReformThe Triumph of Reform

– Medicare and MedicaidMedicare and Medicaid– $1 Billion in education$1 Billion in education– Voting Rights Act of 1965Voting Rights Act of 1965

Johnson Escalates the Vietnam Johnson Escalates the Vietnam WarWar

The Vietnam DilemmaThe Vietnam Dilemma– Diem was killed.Diem was killed.– Saigon was on the verge of collapseSaigon was on the verge of collapse– Relied instead on economic aid, military Relied instead on economic aid, military

advisors, and covert actionsadvisors, and covert actions. . EscalationEscalation

– Johnson began a steady escalation of the Johnson began a steady escalation of the warwar

– He did not want to divert resources needed He did not want to divert resources needed for the Great Society to fight Southeast for the Great Society to fight Southeast AsiaAsia

Johnson Escalates the Vietnam Johnson Escalates the Vietnam War Cont’dWar Cont’d

StalemateStalemate– Johnson’s policy of gradual escalation Johnson’s policy of gradual escalation

failed.failed.– Committing half a million troops by 1968 Committing half a million troops by 1968

and after massive bombing raids, the and after massive bombing raids, the U.S. was no closer to victory than ever. U.S. was no closer to victory than ever.

Years of TurmoilYears of Turmoil

1965 to 1968 was one of exceptional 1965 to 1968 was one of exceptional unrest at home and continued unrest at home and continued escalation of the war in Vietnam.escalation of the war in Vietnam.

The Student RevoltThe Student Revolt– 1964 at Berkeley1964 at Berkeley

Protesting the Vietnam WarProtesting the Vietnam War– Driven by a sense of guilt because they Driven by a sense of guilt because they

were exempt from the draft, college were exempt from the draft, college students vigorously protested the students vigorously protested the Vietnam War. Vietnam War.

Years of Turmoil Cont’dYears of Turmoil Cont’d

The Cultural RevolutionThe Cultural Revolution– In such aspects of life as clothing, drugs, In such aspects of life as clothing, drugs,

sex, and especially music, the new sex, and especially music, the new generation rejected older values.generation rejected older values.

““Black Power”Black Power” Ethnic NationalismEthnic Nationalism

– American Indians, Puerto Rico, Italians, American Indians, Puerto Rico, Italians, and Poles emulated African Americans and Poles emulated African Americans by asserting their own cultural by asserting their own cultural distinctions. distinctions.

Years of Turmoil Cont’dYears of Turmoil Cont’d

Ethnic Nationalism Cont’dEthnic Nationalism Cont’d– Cesar ChavezCesar Chavez– National Farm Workers’ Association in National Farm Workers’ Association in

19651965 Women’s LiberationWomen’s Liberation

– 1963, Betty Friedan’s 1963, Betty Friedan’s The Feminine The Feminine MystiqueMystique

– Equal Rights Amendment to the states Equal Rights Amendment to the states in 1972in 1972

The Return of Richard NixonThe Return of Richard Nixon

1968, presidential election.1968, presidential election.– Richard Nixon: national reconciliationRichard Nixon: national reconciliation

Vietnam Undermines Lyndon JohnsonVietnam Undermines Lyndon Johnson– 1968, Tet Offensive1968, Tet Offensive– March, President Johnson announced he March, President Johnson announced he

would not seek another term. would not seek another term. The Democratic DivideThe Democratic Divide The Republican ResurgenceThe Republican Resurgence

– Republicans harmoniously nominated Republicans harmoniously nominated Richard Nixon. Richard Nixon.

A Crisis in Confidence A Crisis in Confidence 1969-19801969-1980

Nixon in PowerNixon in Power

Reshaping the Great SocietyReshaping the Great Society NixonomicsNixonomics Building a Republican MajorityBuilding a Republican Majority DétenteDétente

– Nixon’s closest foreign advisor Henry Nixon’s closest foreign advisor Henry KissingerKissinger

– ManagedManaged– Use trade and improved relations with Use trade and improved relations with

China to neutralize Russia. China to neutralize Russia.

Nixon in Power Cont’dNixon in Power Cont’d

Détente Cont’dDétente Cont’d– Nixon’s visit to China in February 1972Nixon’s visit to China in February 1972– Persuaded the Russians to agree to the Persuaded the Russians to agree to the

Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (SALT) Treaty Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (SALT) Treaty in Moscow in 1972in Moscow in 1972

Ending the Vietnam WarEnding the Vietnam War– Nixon followed a three-part plan to get the U.S. Nixon followed a three-part plan to get the U.S.

out of Vietnamout of Vietnam– Reduced the number of American troops thereReduced the number of American troops there– Intensified bombing and adopted a hard line at Intensified bombing and adopted a hard line at

peace talkspeace talks– 1970 invasion of Cambodia1970 invasion of Cambodia

The Crisis of DemocracyThe Crisis of Democracy

The Election of 1972The Election of 1972– Gained George Wallace’s followers when Gained George Wallace’s followers when

Wallace was shot and disabled.Wallace was shot and disabled.– He gained most of the middle class He gained most of the middle class

when the Democrats nominated George when the Democrats nominated George McGovern.McGovern.

– In general, only Africa Americans, Jews, In general, only Africa Americans, Jews, and the poor remained strongly and the poor remained strongly Democratic. Democratic.

The Crisis of Democracy Cont’dThe Crisis of Democracy Cont’d

The Watergate ScandalThe Watergate Scandal– Crisis demonstrated how much the Crisis demonstrated how much the

power of the executive branch had power of the executive branch had grown, but it also illustrated the vitality grown, but it also illustrated the vitality of American institutions.of American institutions.

– Press, the federal judiciary, and Press, the federal judiciary, and Congress had all behaved splendidly.Congress had all behaved splendidly.

– Watergate destroyed the trust the Watergate destroyed the trust the American people had in their American people had in their government and began a mood of government and began a mood of cynicism. cynicism.

Energy and the EconomyEnergy and the Economy

The Arab oil boycott of 1973The Arab oil boycott of 1973 The October WarThe October War

– October 1973, the U.S. supplied Israel October 1973, the U.S. supplied Israel with weapons to repel a surprise attack with weapons to repel a surprise attack by Egypt and Syria.by Egypt and Syria.

– In retaliation, the Arab oil nations In retaliation, the Arab oil nations boycotted the U.S. boycotted the U.S.

Energy and the Economy Cont’dEnergy and the Economy Cont’d

The Oil ShocksThe Oil Shocks– Jumped abruptly at the time of the Yom Jumped abruptly at the time of the Yom

Kippur War in 1973Kippur War in 1973– By 1974, the nation was in recessionBy 1974, the nation was in recession– In 1979, oil prices again soared because In 1979, oil prices again soared because

of the Iranian revolution, and again the of the Iranian revolution, and again the American people panicked.American people panicked.

– Faith in the future was shaken, and they Faith in the future was shaken, and they blamed President Carter for their blamed President Carter for their troubles.troubles.

Energy and the Economy Cont’dEnergy and the Economy Cont’d

The Great InflationThe Great Inflation– The rapid increase in oil prices was the The rapid increase in oil prices was the

primary cause.primary cause.– The prices of homes, cars, food, and The prices of homes, cars, food, and

other items skyrocketed. other items skyrocketed.

Politics After WatergatePolitics After Watergate

The Ford AdministrationThe Ford Administration– Gerald Ford doomed his presidency by Gerald Ford doomed his presidency by

pardoning Nixon for any and all crimes pardoning Nixon for any and all crimes he might have committed. he might have committed.

The 1976 CampaignThe 1976 Campaign– Jimmy Carter won the presidency by Jimmy Carter won the presidency by

campaigning as someone outside the campaigning as someone outside the political establishment who would political establishment who would restore decency and mortality to restore decency and mortality to government. government.

Politics After Watergate Cont’dPolitics After Watergate Cont’d

Disenchantment with CarterDisenchantment with Carter– In 1979 he publicly blamed the In 1979 he publicly blamed the

American people for a “national American people for a “national mistake” that they very much reflected mistake” that they very much reflected his own lack of substance. his own lack of substance.

From Détente to Renewed Cold From Détente to Renewed Cold WarWar

Retreat in AsiaRetreat in Asia Accommodation in Latin AmericaAccommodation in Latin America The Quest for Peace in the Middle The Quest for Peace in the Middle

EastEast– Camp David agreement, paving the way Camp David agreement, paving the way

for an Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty.for an Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty.– Carter administration supported the Carter administration supported the

Shah long after he had lost the ability to Shah long after he had lost the ability to rule his country. rule his country.

From Détente to Renewed Cold From Détente to Renewed Cold War Cont’dWar Cont’d

The Quest for Peace in the Middle The Quest for Peace in the Middle EastEast– By the time Khomeini came to power, By the time Khomeini came to power,

the U.S. was commonly regarded as the the U.S. was commonly regarded as the enemy, and in Nov. 1979, the U.S. enemy, and in Nov. 1979, the U.S. embassy in Tehran was invaded and 58 embassy in Tehran was invaded and 58 Americans taken hostage.Americans taken hostage.

– Carter tried, but failed to secure their Carter tried, but failed to secure their rescue and his failure in the crisis rescue and his failure in the crisis became a running sore on his became a running sore on his presidency. presidency.

Cold War ResumesCold War Resumes

Carter continued to address the Carter continued to address the human rights abuses with the USSR, human rights abuses with the USSR, the increased missile defense the increased missile defense spending, and increased aid to china, spending, and increased aid to china, which all revived the Cold War.which all revived the Cold War.

The USSR contributed to the tensions The USSR contributed to the tensions by invading Afghanistan in 1979.by invading Afghanistan in 1979.

The Reagan-Bush EraThe Reagan-Bush Era

The Conservative Resurgence: The Conservative Resurgence: Reagan in PowerReagan in Power– Carter blamed for Iranian hostage crisis, Carter blamed for Iranian hostage crisis,

high interest rates, inflation and high interest rates, inflation and recession.recession.

– Reagan, came across warm and genial, Reagan, came across warm and genial, thus winning the 1980 election, easily.thus winning the 1980 election, easily.

– Republicans also take over Senate!Republicans also take over Senate!

Cutting Spending and TaxesCutting Spending and Taxes

Reagan believed:Reagan believed:– Less govt. spending = more private Less govt. spending = more private

investmentinvestment– Regan pushes Congress to cut federal Regan pushes Congress to cut federal

spending by $40 billion and cut taxes by spending by $40 billion and cut taxes by 25%.25%.

– Major cuts made to social servicesMajor cuts made to social services

Limiting the Role of the Govt.Limiting the Role of the Govt.

Regan relaxes regulationsRegan relaxes regulations Fired air traffic controllers who went Fired air traffic controllers who went

on strikeon strike No support for civil rights legislationNo support for civil rights legislation Ignored women in making judicial Ignored women in making judicial

appts.appts.

ReganomicsReganomics

In first 2 years, economy faltered and In first 2 years, economy faltered and unemployment hit 10%.unemployment hit 10%.

1983, the economy boomed.1983, the economy boomed.– Consumer spending soaredConsumer spending soared– Prices remained lowPrices remained low– Worldwide energy prices remained low.Worldwide energy prices remained low.

Growing DeficitGrowing Deficit

Basis of Reagan prosperity was Basis of Reagan prosperity was massive deficit spending and massive deficit spending and massive inflows of foreign massive inflows of foreign investment.investment.

Fed. Budget deficit topped $200 Fed. Budget deficit topped $200 billion in 1983.billion in 1983.

Politics of ProsperityPolitics of Prosperity

Reagan’s economic policies helped Reagan’s economic policies helped the rich, left the poor impoverished, the rich, left the poor impoverished, and hurt the middle class.and hurt the middle class.

However, American people believed However, American people believed things were getting better and thus things were getting better and thus re-elected Reagan in 1984 over re-elected Reagan in 1984 over Mondale.Mondale.

Republicans also lost a few more Republicans also lost a few more congressional seats.congressional seats.

Social DilemmasSocial Dilemmas

AIDS epidemicAIDS epidemic– First detected in 1981First detected in 1981– Believed only in gay community.Believed only in gay community.– Disease spread through drug users.Disease spread through drug users.– Some $ for research, but nothing for Some $ for research, but nothing for

education and prevention.education and prevention.– 1996, death rate finally dropped, and so 1996, death rate finally dropped, and so

did rate of infections.did rate of infections.

The War on DrugsThe War on Drugs

Cocaine (used by middle class) gets Cocaine (used by middle class) gets turned into Crack = addictive and turned into Crack = addictive and cheap.cheap.

Leads to explosion in crime rate.Leads to explosion in crime rate. Major govt. plan was to keep Major govt. plan was to keep

smuggling of cocaine out of US, but smuggling of cocaine out of US, but has failed, even into today.has failed, even into today.

Reagan and the WorldReagan and the World