Kennedy’s New Frontier (1961–1963)
- President John F. Kennedy launched the New Frontier, a set of programs meant to inspire social reform, economic growth, and scientific advancement.
- His administration focused on education, civil rights, and the space race as symbols of national progress.
- Kennedy promoted Keynesian economics, meaning government spending could stimulate demand and reduce unemployment.
- He called for increased aid to education, medical care for the elderly, and housing assistance, but many proposals were blocked by Congress.
- His 1961 creation of the Peace Corps encouraged young Americans to serve abroad, promoting global goodwill and U.S. influence.
- The space program, led by NASA, became a central part of the New Frontier after Kennedy’s 1961 goal to land a man on the moon by 1970.
Definition
Keynesian Economics
- The belief that active government spending can boost economic activity and reduce unemployment.
Civil Rights in the Kennedy Era (1961–1963)
- Kennedy initially acted cautiously on civil rights to avoid alienating southern Democrats.
- Events like the Freedom Rides (1961) and Birmingham protests (1963) forced him to take a stronger stand.
- He proposed the Civil Rights Act (1963) to end segregation in public places and protect voting rights.
- The bill was still pending in Congress when Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963.
- His leadership marked a turning point from cautious rhetoric to active federal intervention in civil rights.
Johnson’s Great Society (1964–1968)
- After Kennedy’s assassination, Lyndon B. Johnson used his political skill to pass much of the New Frontier agenda and expand it under his Great Society.
