The Liberal’s Finest Hour? The ‘Great Society’ Reform, Revolt and Reaction Lecture Eight: Term 1 week 10

Lyndon Baines Johnson b. Texas clerk to Texas congressman in Washington 1934 m. “Lady Bird” 1935 director Texas National Youth Administration 1937 congressman

Lady Bird Johnson

Political Career 1948 entered Senate 1953 Senate Minority Leader 1955 Majority Leader 1960 Vice President

22 November 1963

Early Policies: Plans for a ‘Great Society’ 27 Nov 1963 Address to Congress 8 Jan 1964 “war on poverty” speech 22 May 1964 “Great Society” speech at University of Michigan Civil Rights Act (July 1964) Economic Opportunity Act (Aug 1964)

1964 Election

Creating the Great Society Elementary and Secondary Education Act (Apr 1965) Medicare Bill (July 1965) Voting Rights Act (Aug 1965) Environmental policies (enc. by Lady Bird) Est. Depts of Transport and Housing and Urban Development Est. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities (NEH and NEA) and a public broadcasting network

Vietnam

The End of the ‘Liberal Hour’ Cost of Vietnam Economy not as strong as they thought People turn against reform programmes LBJ decided not to run for re-election in 1968

Conclusions: The liberal’s finest hour? LBJ genuinely wanted a ‘Great Society’ and radical reforms Some hugely significant legislation – Civil Rights, Voting Rights, Medicare etc. But Liberalism based on affluence – people wouldn’t pay for reforms Arrogance abroad – thought US ideals superior and should be extended Cost of Vietnam