JFK's New Frontier (PDF)

JFK what the new frontier showed – advocate for social reforms and a better America – 1960 presidential campaign – address nation domestic and international challenges – social programmes aimed – civil rights, poverty, education – limited because they viewed them as an expansio...

JFK what the new frontier showed – advocate for social reforms and a better America – 1960 presidential campaign – address nation domestic and international challenges – social programmes aimed – civil rights, poverty, education – limited because they viewed them as an expansion of federal power, which they believed encroached on states’ rights – successes but became more successful under his successor Lyndon B. Johnson modest achievements – cautious at the start – wary of alienating Southern Democrats whose support he needed to pass legislation. – This hesitancy initially limited his effectiveness – civil rights: Medgar Evers assassinated in 1963 – requested a comprehensive civil rights bill from congress but was not adopted – federal power to enforce desegregation – before ME assasination, national televised address for civil rights and his want for congress to pass legislations – proposing what would become the Civil Rights Act of 1964. – Bill blocked by congress because they feared that desegregation efforts would undermine racial segregation in the south and they wanted to maintain Jim Crow laws. poverty – unemployment benefits: after economic recession – provided temporary economic relief for unemployed Americans – food stamps – alleviate hunger for low-income families – Area redevelopment act – funded infrastructure projects and provided job training in economically distressed areas – creating jobs – improving local economies – this was approved by congress during his reign – medicare – health care for the elderly – stalled by congress – conservative lovewamerks beloved this program would lead to excessive government spending and potentially higher taxes. education – intense pressure for scientific and technological advancement followed by the soviet unions launch of sputnik in 1957 – improve americas scientific developments, specifically for the space race. – increased federal funding for STEM programs – high education facilities act – provided grants and loans for the construction of academic facilities, – helping colleges and universities expand their resources. – congress had supported these ideas because these aimed to improve the quality of education in america – improve public education in impoverished areas – congress didn’t necessarily approve this because they believed this was a state decision and responsibility achievements were hindered – political opposition and his cautious approach to reform – health care reform, federal aid to education, and renewal programs were watered down – assassination caused a hinder in his progress as his plans were left unrealized – lbj used the sympathy from the public for jfks assasination to give him leverage to continue jfks work – moderately successful – civil rights, education, poverty relief – laid the ground work for LBJ and the “great society” vowed to continue JFK work – LBJ was able to pass civil rights act of 1964, medicare 1965, higher education act 1965, economic opportunity act of 1964. – jfk demonstrated the federal governments responsibility in address social inequality and fostering economic opportunities. – while he wasn’t able to a pass these legislations himself, he was able to pave the way for LBJ and his success on office.