1954-1973

The Civil Rights Era

Monday, April 19, 20101. Copy homework2. Glue page 191, Kennedy and

Johnson notes3. Bellringers:

1. John F. Kennedy2. Lyndon B. Johnson

SKIP 190

John F. Kennedy(1917-1963)

John F. Kennedy (JFK) was the youngest man ever elected President. As President, Kennedy promised to get America moving again with a programhe called the New Frontier. At home, he took action on poverty and civil rights. For example, twice he sent troops to the South to protect the rights of African American college students.

On November 22, 1963, while riding in an opencar in Dallas, Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald. His death shocked Americans, and his death symbolized the end of an era of hope and promise.

Lyndon B. Johnson(1908-1973)

As President, Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) displayed a genuine concern for the welfare of the disadvantaged and was committed to the cause of civil rights. He pledged to carry on Kennedy’s policies. For example, he signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the most far reaching Civil Rights measure ever put into place by Congress.

In the 1964 election, Johnson initiated his own domestic program, known as the Great Society. In 1965, he passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965. By the end of 1965, more than 250,000 African Americans were newly registered to vote.

Poverty LineThe minimum income needed to survive.

2009 – family of 4 - $22,050

MedicareA social program that helps pay for medical care for the elderly.

MedicaidA social program that gives states money to help those who cannot afford to pay for their hospital bills.

The Election of 1960By 1960, the crusade for civil rights had become a national movement. The nation prepared for a presidential election.

Republican, Richard M. Nixon

Democrat, John F. Kennedy

The Election of 19601. Nixon led Kennedy in the polls for much of

the campaign because Kennedy was Roman Catholic.

No Catholic had ever been President.

Americans feared Kennedy might show loyalty to his church.

Kennedy stressed his belief in separation of church and state.

The Election of 1960JFK was from the wealthy and powerful

Kennedy family.His father was the American ambassador to

Great Britain at the start of WWII. Kennedy served in the Navy in the Pacific

during WWII.

2. The book PT 109, describes the story of how Kennedy rescued a crew member when the Japanese sank the PT boat Kennedy commanded.

The Election of 19603. Kennedy’s political career began in 1946

when he won a seat in Congress in Massachusetts.

He won Senate seats in 1952 and 1958 and began campaigning for presidency in 1960.

4. The turning point in the 1960 election came when the candidates took part in the first televised presidential debates.

Kennedy appeared handsome and youthfulNixon looked tired and sick

Kennedy as PresidentOn January 20, 1961 Kennedy became the 35th

President of the United States.

5. Kennedy called his plans for the country the New Frontier.

6. The proposals in his plan involved increased government spending on social programs.

Federal funds for educationHelp poor people get jobs

These plans were expensive, and Congress failed to pass most.

Kennedy as PresidentKennedy wished to help African Americans

in their fight for equal rights.

7. In 1963, Kennedy asked Congress to pass a bill guaranteeing civil rights.

It did not pass immediately, and meanwhile, Kennedy left for a campaign trip in Dallas.

Assassination of the President8. On November 22, 1963, JFK was

assassinated in Dallas, Texas.

9. Dallas police arrested Lee Harvey Oswald and charged him with killing the President. Two days later when police were moving him from one jail to another, Jack Ruby jumped through the officers and shot and killed Oswald.

10. The Warren Commission investigated the shooting and determined Oswald acted alone.

Johnson as President

Johnson as President11. Soon after becoming President, Johnson

outlined a set of programs he called the Great Society.

“In a land of great wealth, families must not live in hopeless poverty. In a land rich in harvest, children must not go hungry…In a great land of learning and scholars, young people must be taught to read and write.”

Johnson as President In 1964, Johnson declared an unconditional

war on poverty in America. The first part of his plans consisted of

programs to help Americans who lived below the poverty line.

12. Head Start provided preschool education for children of the poor.Upward Bound helped poor students attend college. Job Corps offered training to young people who wanted to work. VISTA was a kind of domestic peace corps for citizens working in poor neighborhoods.

Johnson as President13. Medicare and Medicaid helped pay for

health-care costs of senior citizens and the poor.

Other parts of the Great Society targeted the nation’s crumbling cities.

14. In 1966, Johnson established the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) which helped fund public housing projects.

Johnson as President Although raised in the South, Johnson was

not a segregationist.He believed the nation must protect the

rights of all American citizens.

15. In 1964, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The act prohibited discrimination against African Americans in employment, voting, and public accommodations. I

gender, religion, and national origin

Poster Activity Category (2 points each)

Completed Did not complete

The poster is glued into the left side of the notebook.

2

The student chose one program of either JFK or LBJ.

2

The student is either clearly opposing or supporting the program.

2

The poster is colored. 2

The information is accurate.

2

Total 10