Describe 9.) and analyze the Kennedy presidency. Becomes the 35th President of the U.S. on January 20, 1961 o Youngest and first Roman Catholic President Famous inaugural address speech: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country..." Seen on television debating Nixon, and people who watched felt that he was better, even though radio listeners said Nixon was better Cold warriorStand firm in the face of Soviet threat, which meant taking any action necessary to protect U.S. interests Bay of Pigs, 1961 o Operation was designed by CIA during Eisenhower's administration to overthrow the Castro regime without revealing U.S. involvement o Outcome would hopefully be the uprising of the Cuban people against Castro and eliminate communist influence o Unsuccessful attempt by U.S.-backed Cuban exiles April 15 & 16- U.S. planes based in Nicaragua, painted to look as though they were stolen Cuban planes, failed to knock out Castro's air force Alerted Castro that an attack was imminent April 17- 1300 exiles landed on the southern coast of Cuba April 19- The invasion was stopped by the Cuban army 90 exiles were killed, and the rest had been taken hostage o Failure of the invasion embarrassed Kennedy administration Blamed for not giving adequate support U.S. broke agreements not to interfere in the internal affairs of hemispheric neighbors with no sense of restraint Press ridiculed JFK and questioned his leadership JFK takes full responsibility for disaster Russia U.S. relationship o June, 1961 meeting held in Vienna The meeting failed to resolve the state of Berlin Khrushchev demanded a peace treaty that would reflect the reality of the division that had occurred (Germany occupation zones) Khrushchev was concerned about the flow of E. Germans into W. Germany, particularly those passing from E. Berlin to W. Berlin o Kennedy irritated at demands Told the American people that he saw it as a prelude to an aggressive communist movement and continent the as a whole JFK asked Congress for an increase in defense spending, requested more men be enlisted into the army, navy, and air force and tripled the draft calls Also sought $207 million for a civil defense fallout shelter program o Soviets responded by building Berlin Wall (August, 1961) Effectively sealed E. Berliners inside the city, not allowing them to move to W. Berlin Alleviated the immediate problem of E. Germans fleeing to W. Germany People attempting to scale the wall were shot on sight Vivid example of the divisive impact of the Cold War 1962o February 3- JFK halts virtually all trade with Cuba o March 7- JFK announces the reduction of U.S. import duties as part of an agreement to promote international trade o October 16- Cuban Missile Crisis JFK is informed of the existence of Soviet missile installations in Cuba Aerial photographs taken by a U.S. spy plane revealed that Soviets began to place offensive nuclear missiles in Cuba Closest the world has come to a nuclear war o October 22- JFK addresses the American people about the situation in Cuba, and orders a naval quarantine of Cuba to prevent further shipments of weapons JFK had to use the word "quarantine," because if he used the word "blockade," that would indicate an act of war o October 28- After 13 days, the Cuban Missile Crisis is resolved. The U.S. will pledge not to invade Cuba (and secretly agrees to remove missiles from Turkey), in exchange for the removal of the Soviet weapons o November 20- JFK lifts naval blockade of Cuba 1963o August- JFK signs the Limited Test Ban Treaty, banning atmospheric and underwater nuclear testing by the U.S., Soviets and Great Britain o October 7- JFK signs a limited nuclear test-ban treaty with the Soviets and the UK o November 22- JFK is assassinated while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. Lee Harvey Oswald is arrested and accused of the crime. VP Lyndon Baines Johnson is sworn in as the 36th President following the assassination