A New Frontier - America and the Great Society

President John F Kennedy

• Inauguration: January 1961, one of the youngest US presidents, first Catholic president.
• Vice President: Lyndon B Johnson.
• Slogan: "The New Frontier," initially used in 1960 which later developed into policies for reform and change.
• Vision: Optimism about the future, emphasis on science and technological innovation, including setting the ambition for the moon landing.
• Challenges: Faced opposition from southern Democrats despite his party's majority.

Major Policy Areas

Poverty

• Economic Context: US economy was struggling with decreasing farm incomes and rising unemployment (7.1% in 1961).
• Achievements:
  • Financial support to businesses to create jobs.
  • Increased minimum wage from $1 to $1.25.
  • Enhanced benefits for the elderly and unemployed.
  • Passed a Housing Act for loans in deprived areas.
  • Established the Commission on Equal Employment Opportunity (CEEO).
• Limitations:
  • Proposed tax cut opposed in Congress, passed posthumously.
  • Minimum wage reforms only helped those already employed.
  • The CEEO limited to government jobs.
  • New technology led to fewer jobs.
  • Housing Act loans were not affordable for the poorest.

Healthcare

• Comparison to Europe: Unlike Europe, the US lacked a public national healthcare system.
• Mental Health:
  • Neglected area; minimal funding and research.
  • Personal importance to Kennedy due to his sister's condition.
  • Established a research task force to improve mental healthcare.

Education

• Peace Corps: Established to send volunteers abroad to assist in less economically developed countries.
• Education Law: Proposed in 1961 to increase school aid, faced opposition from southern Democrats, Catholics, and Republicans.
• Integration Efforts:
  • Kennedy deployed troops to protect James Meredith, the first African American to enrol at the University of Mississippi.

Kennedys Assassination

• Date: November 1963.
• Focus: Many policies centered around the Cold War.
• Legacy: Though criticized for domestic policy achievements, he was mourned for his efforts in addressing poverty, inequality, and civil rights.
• Civil Rights: Posthumous passing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.