12. Decades of change

12.1 Kennedy and the New Frontier
John F. Kennedy, Democratic victor in the election of 1960, was at 43 the youngest man ever to win the presidency. In contrast to his “enemy” Richard Nixon, he appeared much better in TV, various debates and so on. J. F. Kennedy became famous for various statements, but these two of them are the most famous ones : “The new frontier is here whether we seek it or not. “ and “ Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what can you do for your country.”
He wanted to exert strong leadership to extend economic benefits to all citizens, but a razor thin margin of victory limited his mandate. Despite his rhetoric, Kennedy´s policies were often limited and restrained.

The overall legislation record of the Kennedy administration was meager. The president made some gestures toward civil rights leaders, but did not embrace the goals of the civil rights movement until nearly the end of his presidency. He failed in his effort to aid public education and to provide medical care for the elderly. Kennedy had planned an ambitious legislative program for the last year of his term. But on November 22, 1663, he was assassinated while riding in an open car during a visit in Dallas, Texas. It was a traumatic and defining moment for a generation, just as death of Franklin Roosevelt had been for an earlier one.

12.2 Confrontation over Cuba

In the 1960s and 70s, the US remained locked in bitter conflict with communist countries. Cuba became a battleground in the Kennedy years. Ever since Castro ´s revolutionary army seized power in 1959 and gained the support of the Soviet Union, relations with Cuba had been strained. CIA began training Cuban exiles to invade their homeland and spark an uprising. The attack of the Bay of Pigs in the Spring of 1961 failed miserably, Kennedy assumed the responsibility on the Eisenhower´s administration.
One year later, Kennedy demanded publicly that the Soviet Union remove the weapons from Cuba. After several days of tension, when the world was afraid of a nuclear war, the Soviets backed down. Supporters applauded Kennedy, but critics charged that he risked nuclear disaster.

12.3 The Space Program

Space became another arena for competition after the Soviet Union had launched Sputnik in 1957. The US only managed to launch its first satellite in 1958. The public mood worsened when the Soviet placed the first man in orbit in 1961. The USA responded by landing a man on the Moon and bringing him back.