Question

What was the idea behind the New Frontier according to John F. Kennedy?

a. Eisenhower had already served as a trailblazer and set most of Kennedy's proposed policies in motion in such a way that Kennedy felt they were America's for the taking.
b. The term called to mind pioneer times in America and, thus, encapsulated Kennedy's strong preference for domestic over foreign issues and reluctance to become very involved abroad.
c. The metaphor lent itself to Kennedy's intentions for America to explore science and space, embark on issues of poverty and surplus, and be more aggressive in waging the cold war than Eisenhower.
d. The United States, Kennedy believed, was destined to finally become a transcontinental power that would soon pursue colonialism on the world stage, especially in Latin America and Africa.
e. The old frontier of the cold war had been conquered and, in its place, a new set of issues for Kennedy to tackle during his presidency had emerged, such as the war on discrimination at home.

Answer 1

John F. Kennedy's New Frontier was a vision aimed at progressing America's domestic and foreign policy, tackling poverty, civil rights, education, and promoting space exploration. Despite limited congressional support, it marked a transformative era with aspirations for pioneering advancements both domestically and internationally.

Step-by-step explanation:

The idea behind John F. Kennedy's New Frontier was to inspire Americans to embrace the pioneer spirit and tackle the challenges of a new era. Kennedy aimed to revitalize the nation by addressing domestic and foreign issues such as science and space exploration, civil rights, poverty, and a more assertive approach in the Cold War. He believed in action both at home, with programs for education, health, and civil rights, and abroad, with policies like the Peace Corps and a strong stance against Communism. Despite a lack of strong Congressional support, Kennedy's New Frontier set the stage for various legislative achievements and left a lasting legacy on American politics.

Key aspects of Kennedy's New Frontier included raising the minimum wage, extending unemployment insurance, and providing medical assistance for the elderly. The Peace Corps was also established during this time, seeking to improve U.S. relations with underdeveloped nations while promoting democracy. Furthermore, Kennedy's bold commitment to space exploration culminated in the goal of landing an American on the moon, although this was achieved after his presidency.

While Kennedy's New Frontier faced legislative challenges due to a conservative Congress and his narrow margin of victory, it embodied a spirit of progress and set forth an expansive political agenda that would later influence the direction of the United States during the 1960s.