The U.S. National Debt Under President John F. Kennedy

The New Frontier: Space Race and Defense

John F. Kennedy's presidency was marked by the "New Frontier," with a central component being the Space Race. Kennedy challenged the nation to land a man on the Moon, requiring a massive financial investment in NASA. Simultaneously, Cold War tensions necessitated significant increases in defense spending to counter the Soviet Union.

Tax Cuts to Stimulate Growth

Kennedy advocated for broad-based tax cuts to stimulate consumer spending and long-term economic growth. While not passed until after his assassination, the push signaled a shift in economic thinking: balancing the budget was becoming secondary to economic growth.

The Debt in Numbers