5.1 Domestic Policies and the New Frontier

Kennedy's New Frontier agenda aimed to tackle economic and social issues through federal intervention. His policies included tax cuts, social welfare programs, and education initiatives, setting the stage for future reforms like Medicare and civil rights legislation.

While Kennedy's efforts saw some success in areas like education funding and civil rights support, they faced limitations. Many programs weren't fully implemented during his tenure, and poverty rates remained largely unchanged. Still, his presidency inspired future activists and policymakers.

Domestic Policies and Programs of the Kennedy Administration

Key policies of New Frontier agenda

Top images from around the web for Key policies of New Frontier agenda

• 

  The Full Force of Urban Renewal — Strong Towns View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Study on micro-mechanism of the affordable housing community in urban renewal the ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Understanding the Business Environment | OpenStax Intro to Business View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Full Force of Urban Renewal — Strong Towns View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Study on micro-mechanism of the affordable housing community in urban renewal the ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Key policies of New Frontier agenda

• 

  The Full Force of Urban Renewal — Strong Towns View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Study on micro-mechanism of the affordable housing community in urban renewal the ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Understanding the Business Environment | OpenStax Intro to Business View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Full Force of Urban Renewal — Strong Towns View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Study on micro-mechanism of the affordable housing community in urban renewal the ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Economic policies aimed at stimulating growth through tax cuts (income tax reduction), raising the minimum wage to boost consumer spending, and expanding unemployment benefits to provide a safety net for workers
• Social welfare programs established the Peace Corps (volunteer organization promoting international development) and the Alliance for Progress (economic cooperation with Latin American countries) to foster global understanding and progress
• Education initiatives increased federal aid to schools and expanded the National Defense Education Act (NDEA) to improve science, math, and foreign language education in response to the Soviet Union's Sputnik launch
• Healthcare proposals sought to provide coverage for the elderly, which later evolved into the Medicare program under President Lyndon B. Johnson
• Urban renewal and housing programs focused on improving living conditions in cities (public housing projects) and providing affordable housing options (subsidies and low-interest loans) to address poverty and substandard living conditions

Successes vs limitations of Kennedy's efforts

• Poverty
  • Successes: Expanded Social Security benefits for retirees and increased the minimum wage to $1.25 per hour, providing a boost to low-income workers
  • Limitations: Overall poverty rates remained relatively unchanged, and many anti-poverty programs (Job Corps) were not fully implemented during Kennedy's tenure
• Civil Rights
  • Successes: Supported the civil rights movement through speeches (televised address on civil rights) and executive orders (prohibiting discrimination in federal housing), and enforced desegregation at the University of Mississippi and the University of Alabama
  • Limitations: Hesitated to push for comprehensive civil rights legislation due to political concerns and failed to secure passage of significant civil rights laws during his administration
• Education
  • Successes: Increased federal funding for education through programs like the NDEA and the Higher Education Facilities Act, which provided grants for college construction
  • Limitations: Faced opposition from conservatives and those opposed to federal involvement in education, and many education initiatives were not fully realized during Kennedy's presidency

Impact of New Frontier on America

• Shifted the focus towards greater federal involvement in addressing social and economic issues, setting the stage for future programs like Medicare and the War on Poverty
• Increased public awareness and support for addressing poverty and inequality through initiatives like the Peace Corps and the Alliance for Progress
• Laid the groundwork for future social welfare programs (Food Stamps) and civil rights legislation (Civil Rights Act of 1964), which were later enacted under President Johnson
• Inspired a new generation of activists and political leaders (John Lewis) who continued to push for social and political change in the 1960s and beyond
• Faced opposition from conservatives and those concerned about the expansion of federal power and government spending

Kennedy's policies vs previous administrations

• Similarities to Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal: Both focused on economic stimulus and social welfare programs, and expanded the federal government's role in addressing social and economic issues
• Differences from Dwight D. Eisenhower's Modern Republicanism: Kennedy placed a greater emphasis on federal intervention in the economy (tax cuts) and social issues (civil rights), taking a more active role in promoting racial equality
• Contrast with Harry S. Truman's Fair Deal: Kennedy's policies were more ambitious in scope and scale, focusing on economic growth and modernization (space program) rather than the more modest reforms proposed by Truman