Goal:
To explore links between John F. Kennedy's biography, presidential
campaign, and the domestic and international achievements of his administration.
Objectives
Students will be able to:
Identify campaign issues of the 1960 Presidential election.
Identify and discuss both domestic and foreign policy issues.
Analyze public and political reaction to policy issues.
Examine President Kennedy’s assassination and its effect on the nation.
Materials:
- Handout of biographical information of John F. Kennedy before his
presidency.
- Videotape of C-SPAN’s American Presidents focus
on John F. Kennedy
- C-SPAN's American Presidents
website
- A map of South East Asia (Vietnam).
- Optional: campaign songs or buttons from the election of 1960.
Time:
Four hours
Procedure:
1. Discussion
Begin class discussion with a question session on what students know about
John F. Kennedy. What state was John F. Kennedy from?
What was his political affiliation? What offices did his
two brothers hold during his administration?
What year was the election of John Kennedy?
Who was John F. Kennedy’s vice president and what political party was he
affiliated with? Why is John F. Kennedy still a focal point in American
society today? (10min.)
2. Exploring Themes
Assign students one of the following themes to trace throughout their study:
Cold War, Civil Rights, Civil Service,
and Space Exploration.
3. Biography
Explore the
American Presidents web site for biographical information
on John F. Kennedy, including:
birthplace, education, family, military record, early political career, marriage, campaign for the presidency.
4. Campaign Issues
Ask students the following:
Why did John F. Kennedy choose Lyndon Johnson as his vice president?
What were the differences in personal history between the two?
Which states were they from? Financial background? Policy ideas?
Ask students what
they know about the primary voting system. Students should research
primary voting numbers of Kennedy and Nixon in the New Hampshire primary
of 1960.
What role did John F. Kennedy’s religion play
in the campaign for the presidency in 1960?
This was the first election in which television became a powerful
campaign tool. Instruct students to discuss
the factors which affected the Kennedy/Nixon
presidential debates. What impact did the visual images
have on the people watching the debate?
5. Inaugural address
Students should read John F. Kennedy's inaugural address and discuss the policies
and goals he wished to achieve. Outline these goals
and categorize them as domestic and international.(30min.)
6. Domestic Politics
Instruct students to determine whether Kennedy accomplished any of the domestic goals he
outlined in his inaugural address. What influenced Kennedy in forming his domestic policy agenda? (30min.)
7. Foreign Policy
Again, have students relate back to the inaugural address and determine whether John F. Kennedy
accomplished his foreign policy goals. What factors or people
influenced Kennedy in forming his domestic policy agenda? (30min.)
8. Assassination
Review the facts of Kennedy’s assassination. Discuss the impact of his assassination on the American public and on his policies. (20min.)
Review and Evaluation
1. Instruct students to review the major policies of the Kennedy Administration.
2. Instruct students to create a political flyer for John F. Kennedy, based on their impressions of his biography, and
accomplishments.
3. Students should prepare a presentation (3-5min) of their reaction
to John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address. What impact did his words have?
How did he view his role as president? How did he view the role of the citizens of the United
States?
