The Nixon v. Kennedy DebatesThe Nixon v. Kennedy Debates

Nixon (R) V.P. to Eisenhower Nixon (R) V.P. to Eisenhower Talented and proven statesman and diplomat.Talented and proven statesman and diplomat. Visited Moscow – Kitchen DebatesVisited Moscow – Kitchen Debates

Communism v. CapitalismCommunism v. Capitalism

Kennedy (D) Sen. from Massachusetts Kennedy (D) Sen. from Massachusetts Liberals like Stevenson wanted LBJ (Sen. Majority Liberals like Stevenson wanted LBJ (Sen. Majority

Leader)Leader) Little national experienceLittle national experience

Results of ElectionResults of Election

Role of Media – T.V. = Kennedy, Radio = Role of Media – T.V. = Kennedy, Radio = Nixon.Nixon.

Little of 100,000 popular vote difference and Little of 100,000 popular vote difference and 303 (JFK) to 219 (RMN) Electoral College 303 (JFK) to 219 (RMN) Electoral College Votes.Votes.

Kennedy AdministrationKennedy Administration

““Ask not what your country can do for you-Ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country.” – ask what you can do for your country.” – inaugurationinauguration

Attorney General – Robert KennedyAttorney General – Robert Kennedy Sec. of Defense – Robert McNamaraSec. of Defense – Robert McNamara

New Frontier / civil rights / urban renewal / Trade New Frontier / civil rights / urban renewal / Trade Expansion ActExpansion Act

Peace Corp / Bay of Pigs / Berlin Wall / Cuban Missile Peace Corp / Bay of Pigs / Berlin Wall / Cuban Missile CrisisCrisis

Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961)Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961)

Considered the worst mistake of his Considered the worst mistake of his presidency.presidency.

Eisenhower’s last attempt plan to cause a coup Eisenhower’s last attempt plan to cause a coup against the dictator – Fidel Castro.against the dictator – Fidel Castro.

CIA to train Cuban exiles to assassinate CIA to train Cuban exiles to assassinate Castro.Castro.

Doesn’t work – CIA operatives are captured.Doesn’t work – CIA operatives are captured. Kennedy is soft on Communism / MilitaryKennedy is soft on Communism / Military

Vienna Conf. Summer 1961Vienna Conf. Summer 1961

Soviet Premier Khrushchev meets with JFK.Soviet Premier Khrushchev meets with JFK. Pull troops out of West Berlin!Pull troops out of West Berlin!

Problem? – East Berliners were emigrating in large Problem? – East Berliners were emigrating in large numbers to West Berlin.numbers to West Berlin.

In August East Berliners and Soviets start to build In August East Berliners and Soviets start to build Berlin Wall.Berlin Wall.

““Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put up a wall not perfect, but we have never had to put up a wall to keep our people in…As a free man, I take pride to keep our people in…As a free man, I take pride in the words, ‘Ich bin ein Berliner.’in the words, ‘Ich bin ein Berliner.’

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

Castro won’t be supported by U.S. …he will Castro won’t be supported by U.S. …he will get support from U.S.S.R.get support from U.S.S.R.

Naval Blockade of Cuba as CIA uncovers Naval Blockade of Cuba as CIA uncovers plans for Soviet Missiles to be sent to Cuba.plans for Soviet Missiles to be sent to Cuba. What if U.S.S.R. sends nuclear bomb technology?What if U.S.S.R. sends nuclear bomb technology?

U.S. is late, some missiles have already been U.S. is late, some missiles have already been sent.sent.

1963 – Nuclear Test Ban Treaty after days of 1963 – Nuclear Test Ban Treaty after days of tension and the brink of war.tension and the brink of war.

A Change in Approach:A Change in Approach:

Dulles’ Idea – Massive RetaliationDulles’ Idea – Massive Retaliation

Reliance on nuclear weapons (the threat of)Reliance on nuclear weapons (the threat of)

McNamara’s Idea – Flexible ResponseMcNamara’s Idea – Flexible Response

Reliance on special forces (Green Berets)Reliance on special forces (Green Berets)

Increase ofIncrease of Soldiers in VietnamSoldiers in Vietnam

1963 – 16,000 US troops were 1963 – 16,000 US troops were sent to South Vietnam.sent to South Vietnam. To support, not fightTo support, not fight Create “strategic hamlets”Create “strategic hamlets” Ngo Dinh Diem was falling in Ngo Dinh Diem was falling in

popularity. (Saigon)popularity. (Saigon) Nov. 1963 Diem is assassinated. Nov. 1963 Diem is assassinated. It was later found that the It was later found that the

Kennedy Admin. Knew of this Kennedy Admin. Knew of this planned action.planned action.

Is this conflict Is this conflict winnable?winnable?

Buddhists set Buddhists set themselves on fire in themselves on fire in

protest of Diem rule in protest of Diem rule in Saigon.Saigon.

Chinese Communist Support of Chinese Communist Support of North VietnamNorth Vietnam

China’s China’s

Mao Zedong Mao Zedong assisted North assisted North Vietnam with Vietnam with ammunition, ammunition, weapons and weapons and supplies.supplies.

Kennedy calls for reduction in Kennedy calls for reduction in armament after the Cuban Missile armament after the Cuban Missile

Crisis (1962) brings the world to the Crisis (1962) brings the world to the brink of nuclear warfare.brink of nuclear warfare.

1963 – Nuclear Test Ban Treaty is signed 1963 – Nuclear Test Ban Treaty is signed by the USSR, US and nearly 100 other by the USSR, US and nearly 100 other

nations to end the testing of nuclear nations to end the testing of nuclear weapons.weapons.

How had JFK used his theory of How had JFK used his theory of “Flexible Response”?“Flexible Response”?

Assassination Assassination

2 and ½ years in office2 and ½ years in office November 22, 1963November 22, 1963 Dallas, TexasDallas, Texas Lee Harvey OswaldLee Harvey Oswald

Organized crime? Castro? CIA? FBI?Organized crime? Castro? CIA? FBI? Johnson is sworn into officeJohnson is sworn into office

Warren Commission – Chief Justice Earl WarrenWarren Commission – Chief Justice Earl Warren Credibility of Government…Credibility of Government…