The Election of 1960 and the Camelot year
In the 1960, insecurity and restlessness arose among the voters. This tension could be attributed to the economic recession, the USSR’s launch of Sputnik I in 1957 sparked fears that the American military was falling behind that of the Soviets. The incident of the U2 and the alignment of Cuba with the Soviet Union further invoked a feeling of insecurity among the voters.
The Democratic nominee for president, Massachusetts senator John Kennedy promised active leadership. His republican opponent was Vice president Richard M. Nixon; he hoped to win by riding Eisenhower’s popularity.
Both candidates had similar positions on policy issues. There were two factors that helped put Kennedy over the top: television and the civil rights issue.
Kennedy was backed by his wealthy family and was handsome. People doubted his experience since he was only at the age of forty three. America was also worried that having roman catholic in the white house would lead either to influence of the pope on the American policies or to closer ties between church and state.
On September 26, 1960, millions watched Kennedy and Nixon debate on television. Kennedy had been coached by television experts and he looked great and confident on television. He therefore looked and spoke better than Nixon.
Another major event of the campaign besides the televised debate took place in October in Atlanta, Georgia. The police there arrested the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., and thirty three other African Americans for sitting at a segregated lunch counter.
Although the other demonstrators were released Martin Luther was sentenced to months of hard labor- officially for minor traffic violations.
The Eisenhower administration refused to intervene and Nixon took no notice. When Kennedy heard of this he telephoned king's wife to express his sympathy.
This news caught the immediate attention of the African American community, whose votes would help Kennedy carry key states in the Midwest and South.
Kennedy won the elections of 1960 by fewer than 119,000 votes. On the podium sat over 100 writers, artists, and scientists that the Kennedy’s had invited, including an opera singer Marian Anderson, who had once been barred from singing at constitution hall because she was African American. Kennedy’s speech called for hope, commitment and sacrifice.
In the 1960, insecurity and restlessness arose among the voters. This tension could be attributed to the economic recession, the USSR’s launch of Sputnik I in 1957 sparked fears that the American military was falling behind that of the Soviets. The incident of the U2 and the alignment of Cuba with the Soviet Union further invoked a feeling of insecurity among the voters.
The Democratic nominee for president, Massachusetts senator John Kennedy promised active leadership. His republican opponent was Vice president Richard M. Nixon; he hoped to win by riding Eisenhower’s popularity.
Both candidates had similar positions on policy issues. There were two factors that helped put Kennedy over the top: television and the civil rights issue.Kennedy was backed by his wealthy family and was handsome. People doubted his experience since he was only at the age of forty three. America was also worried that having roman catholic in the white house would lead either to influence of the pope on the American policies or to closer ties between church and state.
On September 26, 1960, millions watched Kennedy and Nixon debate on television. Kennedy had been coached by television experts and he looked great and confident on television. He therefore looked and spoke better than Nixon.
Another major event of the campaign besides the televised debate took place in October in Atlanta, Georgia. The police there arrested the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., and thirty three other African Americans for sitting at a segregated lunch counter.
Although the other demonstrators were released Martin Luther was sentenced to months of hard labor- officially for minor traffic violations.
The Eisenhower administration refused to intervene and Nixon took no notice. When Kennedy heard of this he telephoned king's wife to express his sympathy.
This news caught the immediate attention of the African American community, whose votes would help Kennedy carry key states in the Midwest and South.
Kennedy won the elections of 1960 by fewer than 119,000 votes. On the podium sat over 100 writers, artists, and scientists that the Kennedy’s had invited, including an opera singer Marian Anderson, who had once been barred from singing at constitution hall because she was African American. Kennedy’s speech called for hope, commitment and sacrifice.
Jacqueline Kennedy
During his term, the president and his beautiful young wife, Jacqueline, invited many artists and celebrities to the White House. The press loved Kennedy’s wit and charm; this also helped to bolster his image.
Despite his smooth style, critics argued that he lacked substance. But the new first family fascinated the public. After learning that Kennedy could read 16, 00 words a minute, thousands of people began to emulate him by enrolling in speed reading classes.
The first lady captivated the public with her keen eye for fashion and culture.
During his term, the president and his beautiful young wife, Jacqueline, invited many artists and celebrities to the White House. The press loved Kennedy’s wit and charm; this also helped to bolster his image.Despite his smooth style, critics argued that he lacked substance. But the new first family fascinated the public. After learning that Kennedy could read 16, 00 words a minute, thousands of people began to emulate him by enrolling in speed reading classes.
The first lady captivated the public with her keen eye for fashion and culture.
Newspapers and magazines were inundated with pictures and stories about the president’s young daughter Caroline and his infant son John. With JFK’s youthful glamour and his talented advisers, the Kennedy White house reminded many of a present day Camelot, the mythical court of King Arthur.
Kennedy surrounded himself with a team of journalists and advisers called “The best and the brightest” They included McGeorge Bundy, a Harvard University dean, as national security adviser; Robert McNamara, president of Ford Motor Company, as secretary of defense; and Dean Rusk, president of the Rockefeller Foundation, as secretary of state. 
Kennedy relied most on his thirty five year old brother Robert, whom he appointed attorney general.
Left: JFK and Dean Rusk
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