Johnson & Nixon: Differing Perspectives USHC 8.2

USHC 8.2 Compare the social and economic policies of presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon, including support for civil rights legislation, programs for the elderly and the poor, environmental protection, and the impact of these policies on politics.

Johnson’s Victories Lyndon Johnson used his own political expertise and experience as Majority Leader of Congress and the memory of the slain John F. Kennedy to push through civil rights legislation that had been proposed by Kennedy. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Fair Housing Act of 1968, and an affirmative action plan for awarding government contracts were passed over the opposition of conservative Southern Democrats in Congress.

Johnson’s Victories These social policies (Great Society) had a profound impact on the lives of African Americans but antagonized some white voters, particularly in the solidly Democratic South. These voters turned to the Republican Party starting with the election of 1968. Johnson’s vision of the Great Society led to the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid and the initiation of the War on Poverty.

Great Society These economic programs helped to insure that the poor and the elderly received health care. They also reduced the poverty rate. Other legislation, such as education, including Head Start, was aimed at both social and economic problems among all ethnic groups. These programs extended the government’s commitment to social welfare that started with the New Deal.

Great Society Johnson’s support for civil rights won the African American vote for the Democrats. Opposition to this expansion of the federal government would give rise to a resurgence of conservatism (USHC 8.4). Liberals objected when social programs were not fully funded because of the need to also fund the Vietnam War.

Richard Nixon Richard Nixon won the 1968 election in the midst of social conflict about civil rights and the Vietnam War on the campaign slogan of “law and order.” He promised to bring an end to the war in Vietnam. His domestic policy included the commitment to limit efforts to build the Great Society and limit enforcement of civil rights laws.

Southern Strategy This “southern strategy” was designed to gain support from southern conservatives for the Republican Party. Nixon’s southern strategy turned the formerly Democratic ‘solid South’ into a Republican stronghold. However, Great Society programs continued, including Medicare and Medicaid. The Democratic Congress passed and Nixon signed into law, landmark environmental legislation in the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts and the Endangered Species Act.

Nixon Policies Nixon also established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in response to public concerns reflected in the first celebration of Earth Day. Conservative Republicans argued that the EPA limited the opportunity for businesses to create jobs. Spending on the Vietnam War, which continued for five years after Nixon’s election, caused inflation while economic growth stagnated.

Nixon Policies Nixon responded to this ‘stagflation’ by imposing wage and price controls which were unpopular with the conservatives in his party. The Nixon administration intervened to negotiate an end to the OPEC oil boycott because of United States economic dependence on foreign oil.