Kennedy's Domestic Policy

?
Poverty and surplus
Born into a wealthy family but campaigning in the impoverished West Virginia (1960) opened his eyes to the issue and he promised not to be indifferent on poverty as Ike had been, Democrats doubted his liberal credentials
1 of 34
Peace and War
life-long interest eg. book 'Why England Slept' (1940).As a congressman and senator he focused on FP and conducted Cold Warrior campaigns to demonstrate the Democrats defence against evil communists
2 of 34
A New Generation of Leadership
Mater of rhetoric due to effective writers and advisers. Needed to differentiate himself so used the New Frontier, tarnishing Ike years as selfish and his with idealism and dynamism. Question over it's actual success.
3 of 34
Area Redevelopment Act (1961)
$394million to extend employment opportunities in poorer states. Poorly funded but created 26,000 jobs and training programmes that benefited 15,00 people. But 5m remained unemployed and Act not reauthorized
4 of 34
Manpower Development and Training Act (1962)
Aimed to train and retrain workers unemployed because of automation. 351 programmes for 12,400 trainees in 40 states but they mainly subsidised officials and private interests
5 of 34
Social Security Amendments Act (1961)
Expanded benefits for the elderly and disabled
6 of 34
Minimum Wage Act
$1 to $1.25 covering an additional 3.6m but half a million of the poorest remained without cover eg. 150,000 laundry workers most of whom were black
7 of 34
Interstate Highway System
Extended, providing jobs in the construction industry
8 of 34
Food and Agriculture Act (1962)
Federal subsidies to farmers, but rural poverty persisted despite administration efforts
9 of 34
Omnibus Housing Act (1961)
$5 billion for the extension of existing programmes eg. urban renewal and public housing, and low interest loans for middle-income families. But Congress wanted to get out of recession so it helped developers and Democrats running for office more
10 of 34
Food Stamp Programme
Fed 240,000 people at at cost of $22million annually
11 of 34
Department of Agriculture
Used executive powers to direct them to double food distributions to the poor and unemployed
12 of 34
Ike's School Lunch and Milk Programme
Supported and extended it so 700,000 children could have a hot lunch and 85,000 more schools, childcare centres and camps received fresh milk
13 of 34
Considered unimpressive, didn't liaise with Congress effectively so failed to get support for:
Federal financial aid for elementary and secondary education (1961), senior citizen healthcare to alleviate poverty from medical bills (1963), Department of Urban Affairs and Housing to co-ordinate programmes to halt urban decline (1961-2)
14 of 34
Continuation of failure to get support for:
Civil Rights Bill to end Jim Crow in the south, stuck in congress at his death (1963), tax cuts to stimulate economic growth
15 of 34
Criticisms of Domestic Legislation
Nothing majorly new, just extensions of existing programmes but in his defence he faced uncooperative Republicans and conservation southern Democrats and at least put 'Poverty and surplus' firmly on the national legislative agenda
16 of 34
% by which GNP expanded by 1963
20%
17 of 34
% by which industrial production increased by 1963
22%
18 of 34
% by which personal income rose by
15%
19 of 34
Problems with the economy
1950s boom over, slowdowns in economic growth. JFK concerned about the nation's international balance of payments deficit
20 of 34
What did Americans put as their major concerns in a 1963 poll
Inflation and unemployment but US prosperity was still the envy of the world
21 of 34
What were inflation and unemployment running at 1961-63
Unemployment-1.2% Inflation- 5-7%
22 of 34
Womens postition
Mostly low paid jobs eg. cleaners, secretaries. Educated women had to chose female occupations-nursing or teaching conforming to stereotypes of nurturers
23 of 34
Statistics for women teachers
80% of teachers but only 20% of principals
24 of 34
Statistics for women doctors and lawyers
7% of doctors and 3% of lawyers
25 of 34
How many states refused to allow female jurors
18
26 of 34
How many states said women could not enter a financial agreement without a male co-signatory
6
27 of 34
Status of married and pregnant women
Schools expelled pregnant students and fired pregnant teachers. Some states prohibited married women accessing contraception. So the increasing numbers of middle-class women agitated for equal pay work, opportunities and respect in the 1960s
28 of 34
Domesticity
Promoted frequently by women's magazines, films and advertisements. Encouraged to play with dolls, emphasise femininity and play down their intellect
29 of 34
Betty Frieden and 'The Feminine Mystique'
Drew attention to the dissatisfaction of many middle-class housewives. Urged women to fulfil their potential through education and work. Best seller tapped a reservoir of discontent, especially students
30 of 34
Feminine Mystique Quotes
Women were imprisoned in a 'comfortable concentration camp' taught that 'they could desire no greater destiny than glory in their own femininity'. That destiny required focusing on the needs of their children and husbands rather than themselves.
31 of 34
Women SDS membership % in 1964
33% of members but only 6% of the leadership despite being a pro-women's right resolution, the accompanying debate was characterised by male ridicule of and contempt for gender equality
32 of 34
Other protest movements that encourage women
Sitins and freedom rides showed activists could help persuade business and federal govt. to bring about beneficial change. Women encountered discrimination and sexual harassment in SNCC and SDS.
33 of 34
SNCC and SDS Sexism
Carmichael said the best place for a woman was horizontal. SDS male -'women waited on tables, cleaned up and got laid'. Both ridiculed gender equality. Having been politicised by them some disillusioned women moved on to campaign for women's rights.
34 of 34

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

life-long interest eg. book 'Why England Slept' (1940).As a congressman and senator he focused on FP and conducted Cold Warrior campaigns to demonstrate the Democrats defence against evil communists

Back

Peace and War

Card 3

Front

Mater of rhetoric due to effective writers and advisers. Needed to differentiate himself so used the New Frontier, tarnishing Ike years as selfish and his with idealism and dynamism. Question over it's actual success.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

$394million to extend employment opportunities in poorer states. Poorly funded but created 26,000 jobs and training programmes that benefited 15,00 people. But 5m remained unemployed and Act not reauthorized

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Aimed to train and retrain workers unemployed because of automation. 351 programmes for 12,400 trainees in 40 states but they mainly subsidised officials and private interests

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar History resources:

See all History resources »See all America - 19th and 20th century resources »