The Great Society A War on Poverty The War in Vietnam The Civil Rights Act of 1964 The Voting Rights Act of 1965

LBJ’s Resume Congressional Staffer Member of the House of Representatives U.S. Senator –Majority Leader Vice-President

“The Johnson Treatment” Reputation of being “overpowering and intimidating” Invaded personal space: nose to nose “persuasive and personable rather than elegant and charming” Glencoe American History text p.855

The Texan’s Style

War on Poverty “There are tens of millions of Americans who are beyond the welfare state. Taken as a whole there is a culture of poverty…bad health, poor housing, low levels of aspiration, and high levels of mental distress. Twenty percent of a nation, some 32,000,000.” Michael Harrington, author of the Culture of Poverty 1962

War on Poverty “The Great Society rests on abundance and liberty for all. It demands an end to poverty and racial injustice.” LBJ 1964 Medicare and Medicaid Head Start HUD Job Corps Water Quality and Clean Air Acts Highway Safety Act Fair Packaging and Labeling Act

The 1964 Election

“The Daisy Ad”

Johnson/Humphrey

The Results

Civil Rights Legislation Civil Rights Act 1964 Voting Rights Act 1965 “WE SHALL OVERCOME”

New Federalism -wanted to decrease size of government -New Federalism would give power back to local governments -introduced revenue sharing of unrestricted money -did increase some federal programs to get his measures passed

Family Assistance Plan Aid to Families with Dependent Children –An attempt to reform the welfare system –Nixon proposed replacing this with a Family Assistance plan Giving a yearly grant to needy families

Southern Strategy -gain southern votes by supporting southern policies such as getting the federal gov’t out of desegregation issues, and placing conservative justices to balance a liberal Supreme Ct. -Swann v. Charlotte, 1971 forced busing -Nixon appoints several more conservative justices

Economy -stagflation rising inflation and unemployment -deficit spending -oil cartel embargo, freeze on wages and prices

Nixon’s attempt to fix the economy Cut spending, raise taxes –Would force Americans to save and spend less 90-day price and wage freeze Raising interest rates

Gerald Ford -un-elected leader -appointed as Vice-President after Spiro Agnew resigned -25 th Amendment had worked flawlessly

Ford’s Administration -set out to heal the country’s wounds “long nightmare is behind them” -restore honesty to the Presidency -pardoned Nixon soon after taking office, but this brought great criticism from a cynical public

Gas Rationing in the 1970’s and the limits of US Global Power! 10 Gallon Limit, $2.00 Limit, Odd/Even Day Sales, No Sunday Sales!

WIN (Whip Inflation Now) Ford Urged Americans to cut back on oil and gas consumption Tried to cut government spending

Political Outsider

Carter and the Economic Crisis Created the Department of Energy to pursue alternative energy resources Urged Americans to reduce energy consumption Complained that there was a “crisis of confidence”

Leadership problems Would not compromise with Congressional leaders Did not inspire the nation to change By 1979, Carter’s approval rating was less than that of Nixon during Watergate