Lyndon B. Johnson and the Great Society

Clean out the Cobwebs The Cold War is still cold JFK was assassinated.. His VP (LBJ) is sworn as president in 1963 Khrushchev is leading the USSR Major Events: – Bay of Pigs/Cuban Missile Crisis ( ) – Berlin Wall (1961) – Space Race – Limited Test Ban Treaty = sign of some relief

Part 1: LBJ’s “Great Society” Objectives: – Determine how the country transitioned from JFK to LBJ – Identify the main goals of the “Great Society”, and if these goals helped to achieve a “greater society” – Assess LBJ’s contribution to the Civil Rights Movement

LBJ’s Background Graduated Teachers College (1930) Taught in a Mexican- American school Entered House of Reps in 1937 as “New Dealer”- idolized and imitated FDR Was director of National Youth Admin at 26 Based on his history, what issues do you think LBJ would push for as president?

LBJ’s Early Achievements ‘63-’64 Tax Reduction of over $10 billion dollars – It ended up reducing nation’s debt- HOW? Civil Rights Act of 1964 – Prohibited discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, and sex – Federal government can enforce Economic Opportunity Act (1964) – Job training – “Project Head Start”- Education program for underprivileged preschoolers (sound familiar?) – Small business loans

Election of 1964 LBJ wins by a landslide Goldwater (R. opponent) believed: – Gov’t should stay out of reform – Social Security should be voluntary – Atomic weapons should be used in Vietnam and Cuba Democrats also won majority in Congress What does this mean for the passage of laws?

The Great Society Vision for America: End poverty and racial injustice By the end of his term, Congress passed 206 of LBJ’s measures to change America

Elements of the Great Society Education – Federal $$ for schools = more supplies Healthcare – Medicare (hospital insurance/medical insurance for 65 and older) and Medicaid (welfare recipients) Housing – Department of Housing and Urban Dev’t – Low-rent public housing with gov’t $$

Elements of the Great Society Immigration – Immigration Act of ended quotas based on nationality Environment – Updated regulations on chemical pollutants Consumer Protection – Wholesome Meat Act of 1967; Standards for automobiles; labeling consumer goods

Reforms of the Warren Court Illegal evidence cannot be used in court Free legal counsel to those who cannot afford it Lawyer can be present during police interrogation Miranda rights Other reforms include: – Removal of prayer in schools; Arm-bands to support anti-war sentiment = free speech, etc. What major case did Chief Justice Warren preside over? 

Assessment of the Great Society Poor population sunk from 21% (1962) to 11% (1973) Tax cut spurred economy Criticism: What does it take to support these programs??? The issues in Vietnam would soon shift LBJ’s focus abroad.