1960-present 372. Election of 1960: Kennedy vs. Nixon, Kennedy (due to televised charisma) won over Nixon (pale and nervous) 373. President John F. Kennedy: second youngest president, entered?presidency as tensions of the Cold War increased; unable to get major initiatives through Congress due to conservative bloc; tax cuts (economic stimulation); reluctantly gets involved in civil rights; emphasizes Space Race (man on the moon) 374. Rachel Carson, Silent Spring: effects of pesticides on the environment; changed way Americans viewed their impact on nature 375. Berlin Wall: due to threat of nuclear war, Soviets erected wall to separate East Berlin from West Berlin (end exodus of intellect to west); symbol of communist denial of freedom