The Election of 1960 was a close race between Democratic senator from Massachusetts, John Kennedy and the Republican Vice President Richard M. Nixon. Both candidates had similar stances on issues but John Kennedy was better prepared for the new source of media, the television. During a televised debate on September 26, 1960 about 70 million Americans watched the two candidates duke it out on the big screen. Kennedy was only 43 years old and Nixon hoped to use his knowledge on foreign policy to make Kennedy look bad, but Kennedy was coached prior to the debate by television producers. Kennedy learned how to look at ease and confident and also spoke better than Nixon. Another event that put Kennedy over the top of Nixon was that Kennedy was his stance on civil rights. When Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested and sentenced to several months of hard labor, Kennedy used his influence to get MLK released on bail, pending appeal. This gained support of the African American community. After the votes were counted, Kennedy had won by more than just 100,000 votes.
The Camelot Years were the years of Kennedy's presidency. His family, with his beautiful wife Jacqueline and their cute children, represented the ideal American family. Many Americans began to copy the trends of the family living in the White House. Women looked to Jacqueline for fashion advice while a great deal of other Americans had hopes of becoming a speed reader like Kennedy. Kennedy could read 1600 words per minute which is quite amazing and must have helped him out as president. In addition, Kennedy surrounded himself by the "best and brightest" people to help him out as president. One of these people was his brother, Robert Kennedy who was appointed attorney general. His inauguration included many skilled writers, artists, and scientists which was a humble prelude to the beginnings of the Camelot Years.
Images courtesy of www.nydailynews.com
Very good pictures. These pictures really portray how both the media and the citizens of the US believed that the presidential family was adorable and how they followed everything that they did. Good job with examples of how the media followed them (women looking up to Jackie for fashion tips)
ReplyDeleteVery thorough and clear, and brings a lot of information to light. Great job!
ReplyDeleteYour choice of pictures really show us how the media impact the election of 1960. Very detailed summary. Great job on incorporating factual information into your summary while keeping a smooth transition!
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are really good but maybe you could have explained why they were called the Camelot years. Other than that, good job.
ReplyDeleteI really like the pictures! Very detailed yet concise writing! I learned a lot. Thanks for your hard work!
ReplyDeleteThe pictures really helped show the power of the media.
ReplyDeleteI really like your pictures because they get across the idea that people can be highly influenced by the media and by personal aspects of the presidential candidates' lives. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteExcellent detail, but you should have explained why it was called "The Camelot Years"
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jay D on explaining why it was called "The Camelot Years".
ReplyDeleteI do like the pictures, however, they represent the topic nicely.
Oh, those photos are just darling! They certainly look like the ideal family! I can see how the media really portrayed the Kennedy family as a perfect household.
ReplyDeleteSome grammatical errors (and some sentences that look a bit out of place), but aside from that, this a good posting. :)
-Tiffany
Easy to read and well done article. I agree with everyone else; the pictures captivated my attention and bettered the article.
ReplyDeleteIt's very informative and I like the photos and that they directly relate to the article.
ReplyDeleteI really love the pictures you used! They are so heartwarming and really show what the Kennedy's were portrayed as to the media.
ReplyDeleteNicely Done! The information is very thuro and you have great pictures which show how the media influenced people.
ReplyDeleteVery well done. You have nice content and fantastic pictures.
ReplyDeleteThis blog contained useful information framed in a way much more interesting than the book. Well done.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures! THey really emphasize the happiness of the family.
ReplyDeleteYou had detailed and descriptive writing that emphasized your points.. good job :)
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