1. Hopes for a Great Society
Lyndon Baines Johnson
Hopes for a Great Society

2. Early Life Born and raised in Texas, 1908 Teacher
Congressional staffer
Member of the House of Reps
Senator
Senate Majority Leader
Vice President
By the time he took office in 1963, he had 32 years of political experience

3. Personality and Experiences
Background of financial hardship
Obsessed with his place in history- wanted to be remembered for his greatness
Reputation as a man who got things done
Natural Politician
Favors
Twisted arms
Bargained
Flattered
Threatened
Spoke directly, convincingly
One of the most powerful and effective leaders in the Senate’s history

4. Taking Office JFK Assassinated
LBJ takes oath of office on Air Force One
Urged nation to move forward by building on JFK’s legacy
Aimed to continue fighting discrimination, poverty, and communism
Wealthy government could and should improve the lives of its citizens
Finished Kennedy’s term, ran for election in 1964
Won by a landslide

5. War on Poverty Programs to combat poverty in the U.S.
Economic Opportunity Act, 1964
Attacked public services, illiteracy, and unemployment
Programs directed at young Americans in inner cities
Neighborhood Youth Corps- work-study programs to help underprivileged young men and women earn high school and college degrees
Job Corps- trained unemployed people age in job skills
Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA)- domestic Peace Corps
Upward Bound- tutoring to high school students
Work Experience Program- provided day care and support so parents of poor households could work

6. Great Society Civil Rights
Civil Rights Act of barred discrimination
Voting Rights Act of protected voters from discrimination
More than 60 programs passed between
Health and Welfare
Education
War on Poverty
Consumer and Environmental Protection
Zeitgeist (spirit of the times)
CRM demonstrated lack of equal rights and opportunities
Strong economy encouraged hope in reducing poverty
JFK’s ambition, optimism, and energy for a New Frontier

7. Great Society’s Legacy
Touched nearly every aspect of American life
Improved millions of lives
Continued debate over success
Some programs did not work that well
Difficult to manage growth
High expectations for life-changing effects
Opposition to “big government”- intruding too much in American’s lives
Cost of Vietnam took away funds to GS programs
Some programs still active today
Questions produced by Great Society
What is the government’s role in society?
Should the government help or should people help themselves?
Does government interference weaken the private sector?