2. Great Society Chapter 20

3. LBJ Lyndon Baines Johnson  Grew up in Texas Not wealthy  Entered politics in 1937  “New Dealer”  Spokesman for small ranchers – farmers  FDR --- took Johnson under his wing Helped secure key committee assignments Idolized FDR --- imitated his leadership style  Master at behind the scenes maneuvering Persuade Senators to support his bills  “LBJ Treatment”

4. Johnson’s Agenda Johnson urged Congress to pass the Civil Rights and Tax-cut Bill 1964  Congress passes tax reduction = over $10 billion Spurred economic growth  Civil Right Act of 1964 Prohibited discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, and sex Federal government had new power to enforce law

5. War on Poverty Economic Opportunity Act  1 billion $ for youth programs Head start Job Corps Youth Training program  Antipoverty measures  Small business loans  Job training  Community Action Program

6. Election 1964 Johnson v. Goldwater Won election by capitalizing on people’s fears  Television commercial “Government could and should help the nation’s problems” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDTBnsqxZ3k

7. Great Society 1964  Johnson’s vision for America --- “Great Society” Wanted to change America  Left White House in 1969 Congress passed 206 of his measures  Education --- “The key which can unlock the door to the Great Society”  Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 $1 Billion in federal aid to help public schools

8. Cont. Medicare  Hospital insurance and low-cost medical insurance  65 older Medicaid  Extended health insurance to welfare recipients

9. Cont. Department of Housing and Urban Development  HUD 240,000 units of low-rent public housing Helping low and moderate income families pay for better private housing

10. Cont. Immigration Act of 1965  Opened the door for many non-European immigrants to settle in the U.S. (ended quotas) Water Quality Act of 1965  Required states to clean up rivers  Search out the worst chemical polluters “There is no excuse... for chemical companies and oil refineries using our major rivers as pipelines for toxic wastes” Truth in Packaging Law  Labeling consumer goods

11. Warren Court Chief Justice Earl Warren  Took active stance on leading issues of the Day Called the Warren Court  Banned state-sanctioned prayer = public schools  Limited the power of communities to censor books / films  Declared state-required loyalty oaths unconstitutional  Free Speech Wearing black armbands to school by antiwar students

12. Warren Court Cont. Redrew election districts based on changing number of people  Re-divide --- more equal in population Expanded rights of people accused of a crime  Evidence seized illegally could not be used  Free legal counsel to those who could not afford it  Right to have a lawyer present during police questioning  Miranda Rights Read rights before questioning

13. Impact Great Society = Warren Court changed the U.S. No president had extended the reach of the federal government more than LBJ since post WWII era Tax cuts spurred economy  Growing budget deficit