There are numerous reasons for the limitation of domestic reform throughout the 1960's, from Kennedy through Johnson to Nixon this essay will explore domestic reform in the United States in the 1960's.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy became President elect in President in November 1960. His opponent Richard Milhouse Nixon was a much more experienced politician, however Kennedy's youthful vigour shone through in the first ever televised presidential debates. Nixon was a master of the old way and although a competent speaker, his on screen presentation made him look old, ill and very haggard. Kennedy's background, his war hero status and family financial input was very beneficial to his campaign and his proficient rhetoric shone through especially on areas like civil rights, on which he had been vocal in the electoral campaign to canvas the Black vote. Kennedy's use of the balanced ticket in selecting Lyndon Baines Johnson as his Vice President also gained him many votes. It was almost not enough and Kennedy was elected with a marginal mandate.

Kennedy often used the phrase 'New Frontier' in campaign rhetoric. Once he was elected it became the broad term used to describe all

Johnson created an overall Disillusionment with Liberalism. The expectations of such a wide ranging programme were enormous, this was fuelled by the rhetoric used by Johnson himself and due to the US involvement in the Vietnam war it was impossible to pour so much money into domestic policy and fight a war at the same time. As a result many of the Great Society programmes were severely under funded. The public felt that as so much of their taxed dollars were being put into these programmes they should have been more successful.

In reality Kennedy was successful in passing extension of New Deal policies. In social terms; social security benefit was increased, Kennedy passed an area redevelopment programme, raised the minimum wage and passed a housing act. Economically he passed a trade expansion act which reduced tariffs. Kennedy also passed a space and defence program. However any bills that added to New Deal policies were shot down in congress, such as aid to education, (which was blocked by the catholic lobby who opposed increased funding to state schools), health insurance, tax cuts and initiatives on behalf of the unemployed youth and migrant workers. They even blocked a suggested tax cut of $13.6 billion.

In 1968 Richard Milhouse Nixon stood again for the presidency and with his appeal to the silent majority and 'Peace with Honour' platform in Vietnam, gained the presidency. With Nixon's election there came a return to traditional conservative republicanism and Nixon began to roll back the mountains of legislation. The liberal trend which began with Roosevelt in the 30's had reached it's peak and fell violently back to earth with the election of Nixon.

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Approximate Word count = 1204
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)