Learn History - USA A Divided Union - Kennedy's New Frontier

“We stand at the edge of a New Frontier – the frontier of unfulfilled hopes and dreams. It will deal with unsolved problems of peace and war, unconquered pockets of ignorance and prejudice, unanswered questions of poverty and surplus.” - Kennedy

However Kennedy’s Presidency was cut tragically short. Hi main time in office was spent on foreign affairs such as the crisis in Berlin and the Cuban Missiles Crisis which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.

James Meredith escorted by soldiers

However in 1962 he did send troops to the University of Mississippi so that a black student, James Meredith could enrol. By 1963, Alabama was the only state with a segregated education system. In that year, Alabama finally gave in and allowed integration. Kennedy increased the minimum wage to $1,25 an hour, housing was improved and the period of unemployment benefit was increased.

Why did it fail?

The Republicans in Congress opposed him, as did Southerners within his own party, the Democrats.

Many older, white politicians were annoyed at his appointments of young and black advisers.

Many disliked his spending plans on education and the elderly - some even called it Communism.

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