ᴀ ɴᴇᴡ ғʀᴏɴᴛɪᴇʀ: ᴋᴇɴɴᴇᴅʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ

                16 - 18

Einsenhower - grave farewell address

JFK - impassioned plea for public service for a national
common purpose

represent young gen of liberals eager to tackle their challenges

Cold War and anti-colonialism abroad

civil rights and economic opportunity at home

image of presidency more lasting in public memory than
actual work he did

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             Rise of JFK

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John F. "Jack" Kennedy born on 5/29/1917

wealthy and powerful political family in MA

moderately successful student at private schools in MA and NY

first emergency health crisis at 17, hospitalized for colitis

graduate from Harvard in 1940

honor thesis criticize British isolationism while Germany 

built up forces before WWII

support US intervention in WWII

accepted to US Naval Resources with help of father's friend

despite gastric and lower back problems

serve in Navy, began command of Motor Torpedo Squadron

in Pacific in 1943

Aug 1943 - boat rammed and sunk by Japanese vessel

led crew to safe island, rescue 50 stranded marines in

gunboat operation later that year

back injury force him out of service before war ended

Richard M. Nixon, Joseph McCarthy: vets to win seats in

House of Reps along with JFK in midterm election of 1946

typical Cold War Democrat: support public housing, unions,

also forced registration of communists

1952 - won seat in Senate, reelection in 1958

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       Nixon vs. Kennedy

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Republican enter presidential race of 1960 with Eisenhower's

VP, Nixon, history of red baiting opponents

campaign as experienced, savvy statesman

Kennedy select Lyndon B. Johnson (closest primary 

competitor) as VP running mate

campaign focus on foreign affairs and Cold War, charging

Eisenhower and Nixon with missle gap knowing it didn't exist

criticize Eisenhower admin for permitting pro soviet gov in

Cuba in 1959, under Fidel Castro

first ever televised presidential candidate debate

radio listeners thought Nixon won, TV audience thought Kennedy

Electoral College: 303 to 219

pop vote: edge of 118,574 out of 68 mil

report of election fraud in Texas and Chicago

victory due to electoral officials, not appeal with voters

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      A Catholic President

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Catholicism raise questions for Americans

bigotry in Bible Belt fracture typically solid Democrat turnout

Mississippi and electors from Alabama vote for 3rd party

and Segregationists Harry Byrd, Strom Thurmond

Baptist minister from NC fear catholicism more than communism

40 mil Catholics in US

LBJ deliver Texas

1st Catholic president in US history

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            Inauguration

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1st president born in 20c, youngest president

young cabinet: 35 y.o brother Robert F. Kennedy as attorney

general

stood in 22 degree chill without hat or coat

new frontier - tradition of pioneering, spoke to new gen including

those who were children in 1950s

credit young Americans with courage, determination, and resolve,

call on them to tackle challenges of the day

exclusive focus on foreign affairs

Cold War as nation's "twilight struggle"

cast US as ally to democratic values in independence movements

of Latin America, Africa, SE Asia

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          Image of Vitality

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wife Jacqueline "Jackie" Kennedy

children: Caroline (1957) John Jr. (1960)

heavy back braces, Addison's disease, high fevers, high cholesterol,

hypothyroidism, colon, prostate, stomach issues

medication and back pain affect temper and cognitive abilities

extramarital affairs: Marilyn Monroe, white house intern, wife's

press secretary, German actress/1930s sex symbol Marlene Dietrich

Jackie kept up appearances for their reputation