However, Johnson’s insistence on maintaining American commitments in Vietnam, a policy begun by his predecessors, hurt both his ability to realize his vision of the Great Society and his support among the American people The arrival of the Kennedys in the White House seemed to signal a new age of youth, optimism, and confidence.

Kennedy spoke of a “new frontier” and promoted the expansion of programs to aid the poor, protect African Americans’ right to vote, and improve African Americans’ employment and education opportunities. For the most part, however, Kennedy focused on foreign policy and countering the threat of Communism—especially in Cuba, where he successfully defused the Cuban Missile Crisis, and in Vietnam, to which he sent advisors…

Great Society — Lyndon Johnson’s plan to eliminate poverty and racial injustice in the United States and to improve the lives of all Americans. Black Power — a political ideology encouraging African Americans to create their own institutions and develop their own economic resources independent of White people. Black Pride — a cultural movement among African Americans to encourage pride in their African heritage and to substitute African and African American art forms, behaviors, and cultural…. Black separatism — an ideology that called upon African Americans to reject integration with the White community and, in some cases, to physically separate themselves from White people in order to….