Lyndon Baines Johnson Topic 8.5

“When I was young, poverty was so common that we didn't know it had a name.” Grew up in a poor part of Texas

Attended Southwest Texas Teachers College (Now Texas State)

Became a school teacher in the 1920s –Witnessing the harsh poverty of his students Concerns led him to politics United States House of Representatives

Serves a distinguished career in the US Senate from won a seat in the Senate Only by a tiny margin Jokingly dubbed “Landslide Lyndon!” Ballot Box 13 from Jim Wells County, Tx

Selected as Kennedy’s running mate in Kennedy Assassinated

November 22, 1963 LBJ sworn in as President -“Declare an unconditional war on poverty” -Train the jobless -Educate the uneducated -Provide healthcare for those in need -Planned to fuse his own dreams for America onto Kennedy’s legislative agenda

Warren Commission Investigated JFK’s death Conclude that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone Many believe there was a conspiracy

Election of 1964 LBJ is extremely popular, and easily wins the election Barry Goldwater -Senator from Arizona Opposed civil rights legislation Seemed excessive to many American as well as many members of his own party

“Daisy Commercial” Aired only once September 7, 1964 –Little girl holding a daisy –Mans voice counting down to zero –Image changes to that of a mushroom cloud of a nuclear blast Did not mention Barry Goldwater America in the hands of Goldwater risked nuclear war

Presidential Domestic Policy Names Teddy Roosevelt – The Square Deal FDR – The New Deal Truman – The Fair Deal Kennedy – The New Frontier

LBJ’s “Great Society” Great Society-series of major legislative initiatives that continued into his second term –Major poverty relief –Education aid –Healthcare –Voting rights “This administration, here and now, declares unconditional war on poverty in America.”

LBJ’s “Great Society” Tax cut – LBJ cut taxes, government spending, and the economy improved Unemployment fell War on Poverty HEAD Start – Pre-school for low income children –Also provides healthcare and nutrition services Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) – Sent volunteers to help people in poor communities

Medicare – care and insurance for the elderly Medicaid – insurance for the poor Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 1965 –Established to oversee the nations housing needs –Develop and rehabilitate urban communities –Provided money for rent and low-income housing

Higher Education Act 1965 strengthened the resources of colleges and universities provide financial aid to students increased federal money given to universities created scholarships gave low-interest loans for students

Effects of the Great Society Drastically reduced poverty in America Created a welfare society Many conservatives, like Barry Goldwater, DID NOT LIKE IT!

Immigration reform Immigration Act of 1965 –120,000 limit from Western Hemisphere –Limit 170,000 immigrants from the Eastern Hemisphere Greatly expanded immigration quotas Exempted family members of citizens and political refugees

The Warren Court Named after Chief Justice Earl Warren Very progressive Sought to protect personal freedoms –Miranda Rights –Miranda v Arizona –Suspect must be warned of his or her rights before being questioned Declared prayer in school unconstitutional –Angered many conservatives Warren Court

LBJ and Foreign Affairs Aided the Dominican Republic against a revolution –Sent 22,000 marines –Tipped the balance away from the rebels Conflict between Communist North Vietnam and non- Communist South Vietnam –LBJ determined to prevent the spread of communism Further involved U.S. forces in South Vietnam More and more money and troops sent to help prop up South Vietnam

LBJ quotes... ( he had some good ones)

“The fact that a man is a newspaper reporter is evidence of some flaw of character.”

“When things haven't gone well for you, call in a secretary or a staff man and chew him out. You will sleep better and they will appreciate the attention.”