Kennedy’s attempts to improve society

A photograph of President John F Kennedy speaking into microphones at an outdoor event — Figure caption,
John F Kennedy giving a speech in January 1961

John F Kennedy was president from January 1961 until his in November 1963. The phrase was originally used by Kennedy during his campaign to become president. He used the phrase as a way to inspire Americans to rise to the challenges facing the USA at the time. He wanted them to believe they were on the edge of something new and exciting.

The New Frontier

We stand today on the edge of a new frontier, the frontier of unknown opportunities and perils. … Beyond that frontier are uncharted areas of science and space, unsolved problems of peace and war, unconquered problems of ignorance and prejudice, unanswered questions of poverty and surplus.

— John F Kennedy in a speech to the Democratic Party, July 1960

The development of the New Frontier

By the time Kennedy had become president, the New Frontier had developed into a programme of reforms to improve the lives of the American people, especially black Americans and the poor. In his first speech as president, he asked the nations of the world to work together to fight “the common enemies of man”, which included

The Peace Corps

Kennedy also wanted to improve the lives of people living in He created the upon his election. This organisation would send young, qualified individuals to poorer countries to help tackle poverty, illiteracy and disease. Students from America who had recently qualified in professions such as medicine, teaching or engineering would live in their new country for two years. The intention was for American support to improve the standards of living of those abroad. It was also hoped that young Americans would gain experiences that they would benefit from when they returned home.

Thousands applied to join the Peace Corps in 1961, and around 750 were chosen to serve in 13 countries. By 1966, there were over 15,000 volunteers working across 52 countries, such as India, Ghana and Myanmar.

A photograph of President John F Kennedy shaking hands with a man among a crowd of people — Image caption,
President Kennedy shakes the hand of a Peace Corps volunteer at a White House ceremony to celebrate Peace Corps volunteers before they took up their posts abroad in 1962

Social problems and attempts to tackle them - OCR AKennedy’s attempts to improve society