<P> The Kennedy Family had long been leaders of the Irish Catholic wing of the Democratic Party; JFK was middle - of - the - road or liberal on domestic issues and conservative on foreign policy, sending military forces into Cuba and Vietnam . The Kennedy style called for youth, dynamism, vigor and an intellectual approach to aggressive new policies in foreign affairs . The downside was his inexperience in foreign affairs, standing in stark contrast to the vast experience of the president he replaced . He is best known for his call to civic virtue: "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country ." In Congress the Conservative Coalition blocked nearly all of Kennedy's domestic programs, so there were few changes in domestic policy, even as the civil rights movement gained momentum . </P> <P> President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963 by Lee Harvey Oswald . The event proved to be one of the greatest psychological shocks to the American people in the 20th century and led to Kennedy being revered as a martyr and hero . </P> <P> After Kennedy's assassination, vice president Lyndon Baines Johnson served out the remainder of the term, using appeals to finish the job that Kennedy had started to pass a remarkable package of liberal legislation that he called the Great Society . Johnson used the full powers of the presidency to ensure passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 . These actions helped Johnson to win a historic landslide in the 1964 presidential election over conservative champion Senator Barry Goldwater . Johnson's big victory brought an overwhelming liberal majority in Congress . </P>

American society in the first two decades after world war ii