American History
Chapter 17 Section 1
Impact of the TV on the Presidency
• The presidential
election of 1960
centered on the
economy and the Cold
War.
• In the election of 1960,
both major parties
made substantial use of
television.
John F. Kennedy (JFK)
• The Democrats
nominated John F.
Kennedy, a Catholic
from a wealthy
Massachusetts family.
• JFK was a war hero
during WWII.
Richard M. Nixon
• The Republicans
nominated Vice
President Richard M.
Nixon, a Quaker from
California who had
simple beginnings.
Kennedy’s View
• Kennedy believed that
the Soviets were a
serious threat.
• He was concerned
about a “missile gap.”
• He believed that the
United States had fallen
behind the Soviet Union
in the number of
weapons it had.
Nixon’s View
• Nixon felt that the
Democrats’ plans would
boost inflation.
• He also believed that he
had the foreign policy
experience needed to
lead the nation.
A Catholic
• Kennedy’s religion
became an issue in the
campaign.
• The United States had
never had a Catholic
president and many
Protestants were
concerned about
Kennedy’s loyalties.
• Kennedy emphasized his
belief in the separation of
church and state.
T.V. Debates
• Four televised
presidential debates
also influenced voters.
• Kennedy’s youth and
optimism made him
popular.
JFK Wins!
• Kennedy narrowly won the popular vote, and his
victory in the Electoral College was 303 votes to
219.
Kennedy’s Inauguration
• Kennedy's Inaugural
Address called on
citizens to take a more
active role in making
the nation a better
place.
• JFK states, “Ask not
what your country can
do for you but what you
can do for your
country”
New Frontier
• After Kennedy was
elected, he sent his
New Frontier legislation
to Congress.
• Kennedy had little
support in Congress and
found it difficult to get
his programs passed.
Congress not Supportive
• Although Democrats had majorities in both
houses of Congress, Kennedy was unable to
push through many of his domestic programs.
• The Democrats in Congress followed their own
interests instead of the president’s.
• Southern Democrats and Republicans also
viewed the New Frontier as too expensive.
• However, some of Kennedy’s economic
programs were passed.
Fighting Unemployment
• In the late 1950s, unemployment was high
and the economic growth rate was low.
• In an effort to increase growth and create
more jobs, Kennedy advocated deficit
spending to boost the economy.
Government Spending More
• He convinced Congress
to spend more on
defense and space
exploration.
• This created more jobs
and grew the economy.
Business
• Kennedy's conflict with the steel companies strained
his relations with the business community.
• He asked business leaders to keep prices and pay
increases down.
• Kennedy asserted that lower taxes meant businesses
would have more money to expand, and that as they
expanded they would create new jobs.
– However, Kennedy push for tax cuts but was unsuccessful.
• Kennedy did increase the minimum wage and passed
public works projects.
Women in JFK’s Administration
• Many women held
important positions in
Kennedy’s
administration.
• He even issued an
executive order to end
gender discrimination in
the federal civil service.
• In 1963, he signed the
Equal Pay Act for
women.
Warren Court
• In 1953 Earl Warren
became the chief justice
of the United States.
• The Warren Court
issued several rulings
that reshaped American
society.
Reynolds V. Sims
• It made important decisions
about reapportionment, which
is the way states drew up
political districts based on
changes in population.
• By 1960 more people lived in
urban areas than rural areas.
However, many states had not
changed their electoral
districts to match.
• In 1964, in Reynolds v. Sims,
the Court required states to
redraw electoral districts so
that all citizens’ votes would
have equal weight.
Due Process
• In the 1960s, the Supreme Court ruled in several
cases that upholding due process which meant
applying the federal bill of rights to the states.
• This amendment ruled that states could not
deprive individuals of the right to due process.
• This meant that the law could not treat
individuals unfairly or unreasonably.
• It also meant that the courts had to follow correct
procedures and rules to try cases.
Miranda V. Arizona
• In the 1966 Miranda
versus Arizona case, the
Court required that
authorities immediately
inform criminal suspects
of their rights (Miranda
Rights).
• Your Miranda Rights state
that a defendant had the
right to lawyers and to be
told they could stay silent
before questioning.
Separation of Church and State
• During the Kennedy
years, the Supreme
Court also handed
down decisions that
reaffirmed the
separation of church
and state.