President John F. Kennedy (AQA GCSE History)

What were American Healthcare and Social Policies Like Before The ‘New Frontier’? -Summary 

In the 1950s, American health care, education and social policies were underdeveloped compared to later decades. Health care was primarily private, with limited government involvement. This created inequality in access to quality health care across America.

Education policies of the 1950s saw the expansion of public schooling, however, there were significant inequalities, particularly in racially-segregated areas. Higher education was more accessible for some, but many faced financial and social barriers. 

Poverty was widespread in America, especially among minorities and rural populations, with social safety nets like Social Security providing minimal relief. 

Overall, these areas in American society lacked the federal support and reform that President John F. Kennedy’s ‘New Frontier’ era provided. 

Kennedy and the New Frontier 

• John F Kennedy became President of the United States in 1961

• During his acceptance speech for the Democratic nomination in 1960, he outlined the policy of the New Frontier

• Kennedy wanted to make the USA a better, fair place for all Americans. 

• The New Frontier policy focused on: 

  • Economic growth

  • The removal of racial discrimination

  • The improvement of public programs through the use of federal aid 

• Kennedy described the New Frontier as a set of challenges and issues that the American people faced and had to overcome. These problems included: 

  • Poverty

  • Education

  • Health

  • Civil rights

Kennedy and Poverty

• In 1961, when Kennedy became President, the US was in a recession and unemployment had risen to around 7.1% in 1961 

• Kennedy’s New Frontier focused on:

  • Economic growth 

  • Reducing unemployment

Kennedy and Education

• Kennedy wanted to increase spending on education and improve educational programs 

  • He believed that education helped to uphold the economic strength of America 

• Achievements: 

  • In 1961, Kennedy wanted to increase federal aid to schools

  • Kennedy created the Peace Corps in 1961, sending volunteers abroad to help people in poorer countries work as teachers, doctors, and technical advisors. Many Americans joined the Peace Corps and it still exists today

• Failures: 

  • Congress blocked Kennedy's attempts to provide Federal funds for schools over fears of desegregation in schools 

  • Many Southern politicians disagreed with Kennedy over Civil Rights and therefore refused to support his other reforms

Kennedy and Health

• In the 1960s, Americans had to pay for their medical treatment due to the private healthcare system 

• This was expensive and often resulted in many Americans being unable to access medical care 

• Kennedy wanted to make health care more accessible to all Americans

• Achievements: 

  • In 1961 Kennedy planned to introduce a new cheap health insurance system for the elderly called Medicare 

  • The Social Security Act of 1962 increased benefits for the elderly and unemployed

• Failures: 

  • Congress refused to support Kennedy’s plans for Medicare 

Kennedy and the Civil Rights Movement 

• Kennedy wanted to make the USA a fairer and better place

• He planned to do this by giving equal rights to all African- Americans, supporting them to receive a quality education

• Achievements: 

  • Kennedy introduced the Civil Rights Bill to Congress in February 1963. This aimed to provide African-Americans with equality in housing and education

  • Kennedy created more jobs for African - Americans than any other US President before him

  • Kennedy threatened legal action against the state of Louisiana who refused to fund schools that were desegregated

  • In October 1962, Kennedy sent 23,000 government troops to the University of Mississippi to ensure that one black student, James Meredith, could study there

  • Kennedy put pressure on individuals such as Governor George Wallace in 1963 to release protestors who were jailed in the Birmingham marches

  • Kennedy appointed five federal judges, including Thurgood Marshall who helped to overturn Plessy v Ferguson 

• Failures: 

  • Kennedy failed to get the Civil Rights bill passed during his Presidency, it was later passed by President Johnson in 1964

  • Kennedy’s support of the Civil Rights Movement affected his relationship with Congress, which resulted in Congress refusing to support his other programs and reforms 

Assassination 

• Kennedy was assassinated on 22nd November 1963. His early death meant many of his programs and reforms remained incomplete. However, his assassination created sympathy which helped President Johnson’s success with “The Great Society”