JFK

Question 1

In the 1960 election, how many votes did Nixon lose by?

Answer 1

100,000 votes

Nixon received 34 million of the popular vote.

Question 2

What year was Nixon born into a wealthy Massachusetts family?

Answer 2

1917

He was educated at Harvard University.

Question 3

During WW2, what branch of the military did Nixon serve in?

Answer 3

Navy

He was badly wounded but decorated for his bravery.

Question 4

In what year was Nixon elected as a Democrat congressman?

Answer 4

1947

This marked the beginning of his political career.

Question 5

How many years after being elected congressman was Nixon elected to the US Senate?

Answer 5

5 years

He was elected to the Senate in 1952.

Question 6

What is the title of one of Nixon’s bestselling books published in 1953?

Answer 6

Profiles in Courage

He wrote two bestselling books in the 1950s.

Question 7

In what year was Nixon chosen to run for the Democrats?

Answer 7

1960

This was the year of the presidential election.

Question 8

The 1960 election was between JFK and Richard Nixon, with JFK winning by a majority of just __________.

Answer 8

120,000

This election was the closest since 1888.

Question 9

What year did Kenedy win the presidential election?

Answer 9

1960

Kenedy’s victory was influenced by various factors, including his background and public perception.

Question 10

What was one of the religious factors that affected Kenedy’s election?

Answer 10

Kenedy was Catholic

Although this lost him some Protestant votes in the South, he retained and won back some Catholic support.

Question 11

Who was Kenedy’s father and what was his significance?

Answer 11

Joseph Kenedy

He was one of the richest men in the USA at the time.

Question 12

How did Kenedy’s youthfulness play a role in his election?

Answer 12

He was 43 years old, younger than Nixon by 4 years

His appearance and beautiful wife contributed to his public image.

Question 13

What did Kenedy promise that appealed to voters after Eisenhower’s presidency?

Answer 13

A new frontier

This promise was vague but created a sense of hope for reform.

Question 14

What event heightened the perception of the threat of communism during Kenedy’s campaign?

Answer 14

The launch of Sputnik in 1957

Kenedy promised to beat communism and criticized Republicans for being soft on it.

Question 15

How did Kenedy leverage Martin Luther King’s popularity during his campaign?

Answer 15

He showed support by phoning King’s wife after his arrest

Robert Kenedy used his power to help King, which gained African American support.

Question 16

What was the impact of television on Kenedy’s campaign?

Answer 16

70 million viewers watched the televised debates

People were more impressed with Kenedy on TV, while radio listeners preferred Nixon.

Question 17

What role did Nixon’s experience as vice president play in his campaign?

Answer 17

He was presented as a safe pair of hands

His prestige from his time in office contributed to his appeal.

Question 18

Who was Kenedy’s running mate and why was he chosen?

Answer 18

LBJ (Lyndon B. Johnson)

He was chosen to balance the ticket due to Kenedy’s weakness in the South.

Question 19

What was LBJ’s significance in the election victory?

Answer 19

His appeal in the South was crucial

He won Texas and helped unite the party to prevent a split.

Question 20

What famous quote did JFK say in January 1961?

Answer 20

Ask not what America can do for you, but what you can do for America

This quote reflects Kenedy’s call to civic duty.

Question 21

What was the initial purpose of the New Frontier slogan used by JFK?

Answer 21

To unite and inspire people

The slogan aimed to rally support and create a sense of hope.

Question 22

The New Frontier evolved into a program aimed at making America a fairer society by providing equal rights to whom?

Answer 22

All African Americans

The program focused on helping African Americans better themselves and achieve equality.

Question 23

Who did JFK refer to as new frontiersman?

Answer 23

Americans who would better themselves and society

This call to action encouraged civic engagement and personal improvement.

Question 24

What was the Brains Trust in the context of JFK’s administration?

Answer 24

A team of bright young experts from American universities

This group aimed to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to government.

Question 25

Before 1963, JFK was hesitant about **civil rights** due to concerns about alienating which group?

Answer 25

Conservative southerners ## Footnote He needed their votes to pass other legislative measures.

Question 26

Name one significant action JFK took regarding **civil rights**.

Answer 26

* Appointed 5 federal judges including Thurgood Marshall * Threatened legal action against Louisiana for refusing to fund non-segregated schools * Sent 23,000 government troops to ensure James Meredith attended the University of Mississippi * Introduced a civil rights bill in 1963 ## Footnote These actions aimed to advance civil rights and combat segregation.

Question 27

What economic measure did JFK introduce to stimulate the economy?

Answer 27

A tax cut ## Footnote This was part of a broader strategy that included public works projects and investment in high-tech industries.

Question 28

What was the cost of the public works projects introduced by JFK?

Answer 28

$900,000,000 ## Footnote These projects included new roads and public buildings to boost employment and infrastructure.

Question 29

What ambitious goal did JFK promise to achieve by the end of the decade?

Answer 29

Put a man on the moon ## Footnote This goal was part of the space race and aimed to showcase American technological prowess.

Question 30

What measures did JFK take to control **inflation**?

Answer 30

Limited prices and wages ## Footnote These measures were intended to prevent inflation from spiraling out of control.

Question 31

Despite economic initiatives, which industries faced large unemployment during JFK's presidency?

Answer 31

* Coal industry * Iron and steel ## Footnote The economic boom was heavily dependent on government spending.

Question 32

What was the **minimum wage** increased to under social reform?

Answer 32

$1.25 an hour ## Footnote This increase was part of broader social reform efforts.

Question 33

What act provided **retraining for the long term unemployed**?

Answer 33

Manpower and Training Act ## Footnote This act aimed to assist those who had been unemployed for an extended period.

Question 34

The **Area Redevelopment Act** allowed the federal government to provide what types of support to states with long term unemployment?

Answer 34

* Loans * Grants ## Footnote This act was designed to address economic challenges in areas with persistent unemployment.

Question 35

What did the **Housing Act** provide for the redevelopment of inner cities?

Answer 35

Cheap loans ## Footnote This aimed to improve housing conditions in urban areas.

Question 36

The **Social Security Administration (SSA)** gave greater financial help to which groups?

Answer 36

* Elderly * Unemployed * Each child whose father was unemployed ## Footnote This expansion aimed to provide more comprehensive support.

Question 37

True or false: **Medicare** was successfully implemented under Kennedy's social reform.

Answer 37

FALSE ## Footnote Kennedy planned to start Medicare, but it was rejected by Congress.

Question 38

What issue arose from **slum clearance** in inner cities?

Answer 38

Housing shortages ## Footnote This created additional challenges for residents in those areas.

Question 39

The increase in **minimum wage** only benefited which group of people?

Answer 39

Those who had a job ## Footnote The poorest individuals could not afford to pay back housing loans.

Question 40

What was a significant challenge faced by **Kennedy's administration** during his 1,000 days in office?

Answer 40

Opposition from Southern congressman ## Footnote Many Democrats opposed his commitments to civil rights, fearing it would cost them white votes in the South.

Question 41

True or false: Kennedy's party had a majority in both houses but little was passed during his presidency.

Answer 41

TRUE ## Footnote Despite the majority, Kennedy seemed overworked by foreign policy and lacked a clear and coherent plan.

Question 42

What did many Southern congressmen believe about **equal rights for African Americans**?

Answer 42

It would cost them the votes of whites in the South ## Footnote This belief contributed to the opposition against Kennedy's civil rights commitments.

Question 43

What was Kennedy's dilemma regarding his political strategy?

Answer 43

Please liberals or alienate Southern Democrats ## Footnote He was a cautious president obsessed with re-election.

Question 44

Who described the civil rights struggle during Kennedy's presidency as 'an essentially cautious and defensive struggle'?

Answer 44

MLK ## Footnote This reflects the cautious approach taken by Kennedy's administration.

Question 45

What progress was made during Kennedy's presidency regarding African Americans?

Answer 45

* Gained government posts * Federal judgeships ## Footnote Despite opposition, some advancements were achieved in civil rights.

Question 46

What event forced Kennedy to take more action regarding **civil rights**?

Answer 46

George Wallace case ## Footnote This case highlighted the need for a stronger federal response to civil rights issues.

Question 47

What belief did many still hold during Kennedy's presidency regarding government intervention?

Answer 47

Rugged individualism ## Footnote This belief contributed to opposition against the extension of federal government power and spending.