To what extent were the social programmes of Kennedy’s New Frontier successful?

Candidates will consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that the social programmes of President Kennedy’s New Frontier were successful. Achievements that may be developed include the expansion of unemployment benefits, and increases in the minimum wage, social security and housing benefits. A pilot food stamp programme and aid to public school lunch programmes were initiated. An executive order to ban discrimination in federal housing, prohibition of discrimination in federal hiring of minorities and support of the Interstate Commerce Commission’s (ICC) effort to integrate public transportation was implemented. Limitations that may be cited include the failure to obtain Congressional support for preservation of wilderness land. Congress also blocked civil rights legislation against race-based voting restrictions as well as legislation to extend federal health care assistance for the aged and the indigent.