History of the 1960’s “The thing the sixties did was to show us the possibilities and the responsibility that we all had. It wasn 't the answer. It just gave us a glimpse of the possibility” (John Lennon). The 1960’s was a period of tremendous change that would go on to redefine the United States. It would not be a time where all of our problems were solved but it would build a foundation for the future of our great nation. During this period of change a group of individuals arose that would become a legacy to later represent the ideals and aspirations of our country. These individuals would be known as John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Richard Nixon and it would be these men’s decisions and influence that would define and shape the
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Kennedy was the groundbreaker for what was to come out of the 60s. He was elected the thirty-fifth president of the United States during the presidential election of 1960. Leading up to his election the race was very popular among Americans. In fact, the presidential debates that Kennedy took part in made history as the first ever televised debates. “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your county” (John F. Kennedy). During these debates Kennedy had these wise words to say during his candidacy and would be words that would be inscribed in his legacy. Kennedy did not believe that a president should rely on his people but that the people of the United States should be able to rely on him. This is what he would build his presidency on. Not only did he step into a time when this country was knee deep in the Vietnam War but he would also be faced with the Bay of Pigs fiasco and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The United States always had made it a point to stop communism before it could grow in other countries and Kennedy was no different. It was President Kennedy who was resolute to progress relations with Latin America through diplomatic economic collaboration and development and it was this that would in fact limit the growth of communist leaning rebels like Fidel Castro. It was Fidel Castro who would declare Cuba a communist country being the dictator of Cuba declared Cuba a communist country. Cuba being in such close proximity to the States posed as a threat to Kennedy and the Country. CIA leader, Allen Dulles, proposed a plan to evade the communist country in 1961; this plan is known as the “Bay of Pigs”. Our military helped train the exiles and take care of them before using them in the invasion. It was in April of 1961 that this invasion was launched and 1,400 American trained Cubans would attempt to overthrow Castro. Unfortunately, the invaders were greatly outnumbered and a majority of them were captured and were either sent
Kennedy was the groundbreaker for what was to come out of the 60s. He was elected the thirty-fifth president of the United States during the presidential election of 1960. Leading up to his election the race was very popular among Americans. In fact, the presidential debates that Kennedy took part in made history as the first ever televised debates. “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your county” (John F. Kennedy). During these debates Kennedy had these wise words to say during his candidacy and would be words that would be inscribed in his legacy. Kennedy did not believe that a president should rely on his people but that the people of the United States should be able to rely on him. This is what he would build his presidency on. Not only did he step into a time when this country was knee deep in the Vietnam War but he would also be faced with the Bay of Pigs fiasco and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The United States always had made it a point to stop communism before it could grow in other countries and Kennedy was no different. It was President Kennedy who was resolute to progress relations with Latin America through diplomatic economic collaboration and development and it was this that would in fact limit the growth of communist leaning rebels like Fidel Castro. It was Fidel Castro who would declare Cuba a communist country being the dictator of Cuba declared Cuba a communist country. Cuba being in such close proximity to the States posed as a threat to Kennedy and the Country. CIA leader, Allen Dulles, proposed a plan to evade the communist country in 1961; this plan is known as the “Bay of Pigs”. Our military helped train the exiles and take care of them before using them in the invasion. It was in April of 1961 that this invasion was launched and 1,400 American trained Cubans would attempt to overthrow Castro. Unfortunately, the invaders were greatly outnumbered and a majority of them were captured and were either sent