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1960s Economy
Compared to the 1950s, where automobiles and electrical consumer gadgets were the rage, the United States in the 1960s saw the rise of housing and the computer industry. During this decade industrial corporations dominated over 12% of big manufacturing business and the country experienced it's longest running economic expansion period in history.Companies like Ford, General Motors and Standard Oil of New Jersey in 1965 made more money than every farm in the United States. 1965 saw America’s investment overseas increase to $49.2 billion.
John F Kennedy began his 1960 campaign faced with a slow moving economy and an unemployment rate of 7%. He made it a campaign promise “ to get America moving again “.Goals of of 4-6 percent growth and 4% unemployment were put forward. Kennedy sent congress a twelve measure economic growth and recovery package, knowing that the economy was in trouble. The measures included an increase in the minimum wage from $1.00 to $1.25 per hour, covering more workers. The compensation for unemployed workers was also increased including aid to their children. Implemented for more people was increase social security benefits, as was emergency relief for feed grain farmers, area redevelopment, vocational training for displaced workers, and federal funding for home building and slum eradication. When 1962 came around, Kennedy knew the economy could do with additional stimulation. When industry giant US Steel made an announcement that it was raising it's prices, Kennedy was furious. Several weeks previous, he had convinced the steelworkers union to cut down its wage demands. Kennedy's anger made its way to the press, and fearing an administration retaliation on big business, the stock market plummeted on May 28th, experiencing the worst single day crash since the October 28th launch of the depression of 1929.
Kennedy knew he had to gain the trust of the business community, and thought a tax cut could provide this. He took a pro business stance and suggested a business tax relief provided by liberalizing the depreciation allowance on new plants and equipment and by giving business a 7 percent investment tax credit.
At the beginning of 1963 inflation was stable, big business profits were at a record high, and the stock market had come back. Although, unemployment was still way too high at 5.7%, by 1966 5.5 million more Americans were employed than when Kennedy was first elected.
When Lyndon Johnson took over the presidency in 1964, he came in to a strong economy, bolstered by former president Kennedy. $4-5 billion in additional revenues between 1964 and 1965 were attributed to the growth in the economy. Johnson, coming from a rural teaching background, was dedicated to eradicate the suffering of America's poor and elderly. He proposed federal programs supporting medical insurance for the elderly (Medicare), aid to schools and training for those who lacked skills and education, as well as overall public health measures. These proposals were labeled "The Great Society". From 1963 to 1965 inflation was under 2 percent. Although in mid 1965 inflation began to pick up slightly, the gross national product (GNP) continued to grow by $9 billion and unemployment remained at 1.4 percent. At the end of 1966, real growth was 9% and unemployment 3.8% so the economy was steady and seemingly improving. By 1967 Johnson's administration became concerned with inflation. On August 3 a temporary 10 percent income tax surcharge was requested of congress and on June 28 1968 that surcharge became law and was tied to a $6 billion budget reduction. By 1968, Lyndon Johnson's last month in office, the United States was spending 22 billion per year on the war in Vietnam, inflation had sored to 4.7% and at the same time the growth and unemployment rates were only 4% and 3.3% respectively.
Although Johnson had managed to fund both the war in Vietnam and the proposals of "The Great Society" without establishing new revenue sources, inflation began to creep up. By the time Richard Nixon was into his first year of the presidency, in 1970, inflation was at 6.5%.
By the end of the decade the average American's real income had increased 50 percent. Median family income rose from $8,540 in 1963 to $10,770 by 1969.
On the other hand, Medicare costs in 1966 were $3 billion but it's legacy by 2003 had increased it to 244 billion. However, it is only fair to mention that the costs of "The Great Society" may be offset by the benefits. By 1970 poverty had been cut in half. Infant mortality rates were down by one third, and Americans being able to visit a doctor increased from 8% to 20%.
John F Kennedy began his 1960 campaign faced with a slow moving economy and an unemployment rate of 7%. He made it a campaign promise “ to get America moving again “.Goals of of 4-6 percent growth and 4% unemployment were put forward. Kennedy sent congress a twelve measure economic growth and recovery package, knowing that the economy was in trouble. The measures included an increase in the minimum wage from $1.00 to $1.25 per hour, covering more workers. The compensation for unemployed workers was also increased including aid to their children. Implemented for more people was increase social security benefits, as was emergency relief for feed grain farmers, area redevelopment, vocational training for displaced workers, and federal funding for home building and slum eradication. When 1962 came around, Kennedy knew the economy could do with additional stimulation. When industry giant US Steel made an announcement that it was raising it's prices, Kennedy was furious. Several weeks previous, he had convinced the steelworkers union to cut down its wage demands. Kennedy's anger made its way to the press, and fearing an administration retaliation on big business, the stock market plummeted on May 28th, experiencing the worst single day crash since the October 28th launch of the depression of 1929.
Kennedy knew he had to gain the trust of the business community, and thought a tax cut could provide this. He took a pro business stance and suggested a business tax relief provided by liberalizing the depreciation allowance on new plants and equipment and by giving business a 7 percent investment tax credit.
At the beginning of 1963 inflation was stable, big business profits were at a record high, and the stock market had come back. Although, unemployment was still way too high at 5.7%, by 1966 5.5 million more Americans were employed than when Kennedy was first elected.
When Lyndon Johnson took over the presidency in 1964, he came in to a strong economy, bolstered by former president Kennedy. $4-5 billion in additional revenues between 1964 and 1965 were attributed to the growth in the economy. Johnson, coming from a rural teaching background, was dedicated to eradicate the suffering of America's poor and elderly. He proposed federal programs supporting medical insurance for the elderly (Medicare), aid to schools and training for those who lacked skills and education, as well as overall public health measures. These proposals were labeled "The Great Society". From 1963 to 1965 inflation was under 2 percent. Although in mid 1965 inflation began to pick up slightly, the gross national product (GNP) continued to grow by $9 billion and unemployment remained at 1.4 percent. At the end of 1966, real growth was 9% and unemployment 3.8% so the economy was steady and seemingly improving. By 1967 Johnson's administration became concerned with inflation. On August 3 a temporary 10 percent income tax surcharge was requested of congress and on June 28 1968 that surcharge became law and was tied to a $6 billion budget reduction. By 1968, Lyndon Johnson's last month in office, the United States was spending 22 billion per year on the war in Vietnam, inflation had sored to 4.7% and at the same time the growth and unemployment rates were only 4% and 3.3% respectively.
Although Johnson had managed to fund both the war in Vietnam and the proposals of "The Great Society" without establishing new revenue sources, inflation began to creep up. By the time Richard Nixon was into his first year of the presidency, in 1970, inflation was at 6.5%.
By the end of the decade the average American's real income had increased 50 percent. Median family income rose from $8,540 in 1963 to $10,770 by 1969.
On the other hand, Medicare costs in 1966 were $3 billion but it's legacy by 2003 had increased it to 244 billion. However, it is only fair to mention that the costs of "The Great Society" may be offset by the benefits. By 1970 poverty had been cut in half. Infant mortality rates were down by one third, and Americans being able to visit a doctor increased from 8% to 20%.
1960s Technology
The Invention of the LASER
One of the first inventions of the 60s was the LASER made by Theodore Maiman. The LASER is now used to watch blue ray movies which are very popular. LASER is an acronym for Light Amplified Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Theodore Maiman was born on July 11th 1927 in Los Angeles. In 1956, he began working on the ruby laser project for the US Army Signal Corps. He simplified the machine and reduced it from 5,000 pounds to 25. He worked diligently on the laser until 1960 when he was finally able to demonstrate his work in action. He was extremely resourceful with his work. His costs estimated to about $50,000 while many other inventions during the time cost up to millions of dollars.
The Invention of Valium
Another important invention was the drug Valium invented by Leo Sternbach. In the late 1960s, Valium was the most prescribed drug in America. He became a mogul in research science for a combination of chemicals that soothed anxious, agitated and irritated housewives and executives. His drug was not well received by all. He did not regularly take the drug himself claiming that it makes him depressed. Some people thought that his drug was a curse but he combated that by saying all drugs can be abused not just Valium. Valium was a great substitute for alcohol. It didn’t taste bad, it wasn’t frowned upon, and it was very portable. People didn’t have to worry about overdose because it could not kill you unless it was taken with a combination of other drugs and alcohol. In small doses, it is used as a good muscle relaxant but in heavier doses it was a great mind number and pain killer which made it addictive psychologically.
The Invention of the Compact Cassette
One of the ground-breaking inventions of the 60s was the Compact Cassette developed by Philips. A compact Cassette or a tape is a magnetic tape recording format for audio recording and playback. It comes in two forms either already having pre-recorded content or as a recordable blank cassette. It was introduced in the United States under the Norelco brand in November 1964 with the Compact Cassette trademark. Soon after the product was invented, pre-recorded cassette tapes began being released. The Mercury Recording Company which is a US affiliate of Philips introduced a pre-recorded cassette in July 1966.
One of the first inventions of the 60s was the LASER made by Theodore Maiman. The LASER is now used to watch blue ray movies which are very popular. LASER is an acronym for Light Amplified Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Theodore Maiman was born on July 11th 1927 in Los Angeles. In 1956, he began working on the ruby laser project for the US Army Signal Corps. He simplified the machine and reduced it from 5,000 pounds to 25. He worked diligently on the laser until 1960 when he was finally able to demonstrate his work in action. He was extremely resourceful with his work. His costs estimated to about $50,000 while many other inventions during the time cost up to millions of dollars.
The Invention of Valium
Another important invention was the drug Valium invented by Leo Sternbach. In the late 1960s, Valium was the most prescribed drug in America. He became a mogul in research science for a combination of chemicals that soothed anxious, agitated and irritated housewives and executives. His drug was not well received by all. He did not regularly take the drug himself claiming that it makes him depressed. Some people thought that his drug was a curse but he combated that by saying all drugs can be abused not just Valium. Valium was a great substitute for alcohol. It didn’t taste bad, it wasn’t frowned upon, and it was very portable. People didn’t have to worry about overdose because it could not kill you unless it was taken with a combination of other drugs and alcohol. In small doses, it is used as a good muscle relaxant but in heavier doses it was a great mind number and pain killer which made it addictive psychologically.
The Invention of the Compact Cassette
One of the ground-breaking inventions of the 60s was the Compact Cassette developed by Philips. A compact Cassette or a tape is a magnetic tape recording format for audio recording and playback. It comes in two forms either already having pre-recorded content or as a recordable blank cassette. It was introduced in the United States under the Norelco brand in November 1964 with the Compact Cassette trademark. Soon after the product was invented, pre-recorded cassette tapes began being released. The Mercury Recording Company which is a US affiliate of Philips introduced a pre-recorded cassette in July 1966.
1960s Foreign Affairs
The Vietnam War was one of the most important for America because of the large scale destruction and the hard choices during the war that had to be made by the staff in office. The Vietnam War took place from 1959 to April 30th 1975. Starting from 1960, The National Liberation From was formed because after Ngo Dinh Diem was elected he alienated many South Vietnamese during his reign. This angered many people so the organization was formed. They are also known as the Viet Cong. In 1960 they used guerrilla tactics to fight against the South Vietnamese. With the fighting between the South Vietnamese and the Viet Cong growing, the U.S. carried on sending more advisors to South Vietnam. When two U.S. ships in international water were being directly fired upon on August 2nd and 4th of 1964 (known as the Gulf on Tonkin Incident), Congress countered with the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. This gave the President the power to have the involvement in Vietnam rise. He used this power to put the first ground troops in Vietnam in March of 1965.
Johnson did not want to win the war with America's involvement in the War, but to aid South Vietnam defenses so that they were able to take over. Without the goal of winning in mind, the public and the troops in Vietnam were disappointed as they ended up in a stalemate with the Viet Cong.
From 1965 to 1969 the United States was in a limited war in Vietnam. Johnson wanted to fight a limited War by limiting the fighting parameters. It wouldn't conduct a serious ground assault into the North to directly attack the communists nor be a very strong pull to disrupt the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which was the Viet Cong's path running through Laos and Cambodia that carried supplies.
Most of the War that was fought was a jungle war against the Viet Cong, who were well-supplied. They had good tactics when it came to the element of surprise. They would attack by setting up booby traps and ambushes, and would escape from these by their complex network of underground tunnels. Even trying to have US troops find their enemy was proving to be difficult. Because the Viet Cong hid their camps in dense brush Agent Orange bombs were dropped to make out a clearer vision. Agent Orange was a type of toxin that caused leaves on tress to die or burn away, but it also caused complications and birth defects on humans.
The US and South Vietnam were surprised when the Viet Cong collaborated with North Vietnam to attack around one hundred South Vietnamese towns and cities on January 30th of 1968. The US and South Vietnam were able to ward off this attack, called the Tet Offensive but were now aware that their enemy was stronger and more well-equipped than they had first imagined. Johnson saw this as a turning point in the war because it is when he decided that the war should no longer be escalated.
Richard Nixon then became the president in 1969 and resolved his own plan to end the US' involvement in the Vietnam War. His plan was called Vietnamization which slowly pulled US troops from Vietnam and giving rope back to the South Vietnamese to fight the rest of the war. This withdrawal began in July of 1969, and to work towards peace, peace talks began in Paris on January 25th of 1969.
Johnson did not want to win the war with America's involvement in the War, but to aid South Vietnam defenses so that they were able to take over. Without the goal of winning in mind, the public and the troops in Vietnam were disappointed as they ended up in a stalemate with the Viet Cong.
From 1965 to 1969 the United States was in a limited war in Vietnam. Johnson wanted to fight a limited War by limiting the fighting parameters. It wouldn't conduct a serious ground assault into the North to directly attack the communists nor be a very strong pull to disrupt the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which was the Viet Cong's path running through Laos and Cambodia that carried supplies.
Most of the War that was fought was a jungle war against the Viet Cong, who were well-supplied. They had good tactics when it came to the element of surprise. They would attack by setting up booby traps and ambushes, and would escape from these by their complex network of underground tunnels. Even trying to have US troops find their enemy was proving to be difficult. Because the Viet Cong hid their camps in dense brush Agent Orange bombs were dropped to make out a clearer vision. Agent Orange was a type of toxin that caused leaves on tress to die or burn away, but it also caused complications and birth defects on humans.
The US and South Vietnam were surprised when the Viet Cong collaborated with North Vietnam to attack around one hundred South Vietnamese towns and cities on January 30th of 1968. The US and South Vietnam were able to ward off this attack, called the Tet Offensive but were now aware that their enemy was stronger and more well-equipped than they had first imagined. Johnson saw this as a turning point in the war because it is when he decided that the war should no longer be escalated.
Richard Nixon then became the president in 1969 and resolved his own plan to end the US' involvement in the Vietnam War. His plan was called Vietnamization which slowly pulled US troops from Vietnam and giving rope back to the South Vietnamese to fight the rest of the war. This withdrawal began in July of 1969, and to work towards peace, peace talks began in Paris on January 25th of 1969.
1960s Fashion
During the ‘60s fashion was drastically changing and becoming hip with the start of culottes, go-go boots, PVC dresses and more.
Culottes originated from France and became very popular in America in the 1960s. They are shin-length to ankle-length denim pants that are very wide and look like a big skirt. Women wore them as evening wear with a colorful top.
Go-go boots were very popular in this decade among women and became a dominant fancy shoe style. They were worn with colorful knee-length dresses to parties and discoes. The boots were often white, but could be all other colors, and they were very glossy. The boots had a thick heel and were extended to roughly under the knee. PVC dresses were the hippest and fanciest of the decade and were worn by young women to discoes and parties, often with go-go boots. The dresses were the same material as the boots, very glossy, and made with all different kinds of patterns and colors. They were mostly sleeveless and had very boxy designs. This dress was a drastic change because of its very short length and flashy material and color.
After the movie Beach Party, starring Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon, was released in 1963, bikinis became very popular across television, magazines and daily life. Women wore bikinis more often as opposed to the older one piece bathing suits.
Miniskirts, pillbox hats, thick false eyelashes and very bright highlighted colors were extremely popular in this decade. Women started to stand out and take risks in their fashion with mismatched patterns and short skirts. In the late 60s bell bottom jeans became popular among women and men which were slimmer versions of culottes. The bright colors started coming together and a new style of “tie-dye” was created. T shirts, dresses, and accessories were dyed with crazy colors and worn around casually. Men’s in this decade cleaned up well with newly popular plaid button-down shirts, turtlenecks and sports jackets. The shirts were tightly fit and worn with different colors of bell bottom jeans. Men wore more subtle colors and did not stand out as much as women. Longer hair and beards also became common among men in this decade. Tie-dye shirts were worn in the late 60s in casual places. Women’s hair in the ‘60s was very pushed up and sculpted with headbands and curled ends. Men grew their hair and combed it to the side while the Afro hairstyle became very popular among African Americans in this decade.
Culottes originated from France and became very popular in America in the 1960s. They are shin-length to ankle-length denim pants that are very wide and look like a big skirt. Women wore them as evening wear with a colorful top.
Go-go boots were very popular in this decade among women and became a dominant fancy shoe style. They were worn with colorful knee-length dresses to parties and discoes. The boots were often white, but could be all other colors, and they were very glossy. The boots had a thick heel and were extended to roughly under the knee. PVC dresses were the hippest and fanciest of the decade and were worn by young women to discoes and parties, often with go-go boots. The dresses were the same material as the boots, very glossy, and made with all different kinds of patterns and colors. They were mostly sleeveless and had very boxy designs. This dress was a drastic change because of its very short length and flashy material and color.
After the movie Beach Party, starring Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon, was released in 1963, bikinis became very popular across television, magazines and daily life. Women wore bikinis more often as opposed to the older one piece bathing suits.
Miniskirts, pillbox hats, thick false eyelashes and very bright highlighted colors were extremely popular in this decade. Women started to stand out and take risks in their fashion with mismatched patterns and short skirts. In the late 60s bell bottom jeans became popular among women and men which were slimmer versions of culottes. The bright colors started coming together and a new style of “tie-dye” was created. T shirts, dresses, and accessories were dyed with crazy colors and worn around casually. Men’s in this decade cleaned up well with newly popular plaid button-down shirts, turtlenecks and sports jackets. The shirts were tightly fit and worn with different colors of bell bottom jeans. Men wore more subtle colors and did not stand out as much as women. Longer hair and beards also became common among men in this decade. Tie-dye shirts were worn in the late 60s in casual places. Women’s hair in the ‘60s was very pushed up and sculpted with headbands and curled ends. Men grew their hair and combed it to the side while the Afro hairstyle became very popular among African Americans in this decade.
Feature Interview with the Presidential Candidates
Interviewer (Charles Mayes)- My name is Charles Mayes. I’m here today with the two presidential candidates, Mr. Richard Milhous Nixon and Mr. John Fitzgerald Kennedy, to get an understanding of both standpoints on current politics. To start we will go to Mr. John F. Kennedy with the first question. Mr. Kennedy why do you think that people should vote for you instead of Vice President Nixon?
JFK- Well as you know myself and the Vice President both come out of previous government positions. Myself coming from the Democratic party worked in the Legislative branch at the same time that Mr. Nixon was in the Executive branch. As for what I plan to do during my presidency I think it is a good idea if I tell you the programs that we advocate. I am liberal and am open to new ideas. I know that many are skeptical because I would be the only Roman Catholic President to have been elected. I believe that “the people” have become obscured with my religion over the real issues in our country. I realized that we are in changing times and one significant genre I’d like to focus on is the federal aid for our education as well as medical care which previous Republican candidates have been seemingly against. These are things I would like to keep in high interest.
Interviewer (Charles Mayes)- Thank you Mr. Kennedy for your input and now we would like to hear Nixon’s view on current politics and as to why we should vote for him.
Nixon- Well I am from the Republican Party, as the people have decided that, by the majority of my supporters. The course of this country relies simply on private business. A big misconception of our current economy is how much our federal government, as well as our state governments make in total money in comparison to individual enterprise. It is resulted that the private sector of the modern economy has had the greatest expansion that has ever been witnessed in an eight year period. The individual enterprise is each and every person’s dream to run their own business and eventually ends up paying for our schools, highways, and eventually runs full circle. I believe in having a strong economy as our countries backbone and the key to this is a constant growth in private enterprise. A small government can let “the people” take care of this country.
JFK- Well as you know myself and the Vice President both come out of previous government positions. Myself coming from the Democratic party worked in the Legislative branch at the same time that Mr. Nixon was in the Executive branch. As for what I plan to do during my presidency I think it is a good idea if I tell you the programs that we advocate. I am liberal and am open to new ideas. I know that many are skeptical because I would be the only Roman Catholic President to have been elected. I believe that “the people” have become obscured with my religion over the real issues in our country. I realized that we are in changing times and one significant genre I’d like to focus on is the federal aid for our education as well as medical care which previous Republican candidates have been seemingly against. These are things I would like to keep in high interest.
Interviewer (Charles Mayes)- Thank you Mr. Kennedy for your input and now we would like to hear Nixon’s view on current politics and as to why we should vote for him.
Nixon- Well I am from the Republican Party, as the people have decided that, by the majority of my supporters. The course of this country relies simply on private business. A big misconception of our current economy is how much our federal government, as well as our state governments make in total money in comparison to individual enterprise. It is resulted that the private sector of the modern economy has had the greatest expansion that has ever been witnessed in an eight year period. The individual enterprise is each and every person’s dream to run their own business and eventually ends up paying for our schools, highways, and eventually runs full circle. I believe in having a strong economy as our countries backbone and the key to this is a constant growth in private enterprise. A small government can let “the people” take care of this country.