1. LBJ’s Great Society

2. Lyndon B Johnson (1908-73) Fourth generation Texan
Elected to U.S. House in 1937
Claimed he was a “New Dealer” like FDR
FDR takes LBJ under wing and helps LBJ get key committee seats
Rural Electrification Program
U.S. Senator from by 87 votes. “Landslide Lyndon” eventually served as majority leader of the Senate
JFK VP in Assumes presidency on November 22nd, 1963 after JFK assassination

3. The Great Society Grand vision for America
End poverty and enforce racial justice
Raise families above the “poverty line”
President gets over 200 measures passed
Some majors
Medicare: insurance for folks 65+
Medicaid: “ for welfare recipients

4. War on Poverty
Declared war on poverty (that’s where all the “war on” stuff came from).
Passed Economic Opportunity Act on (8/64)
Small business loans
Job training
Job Corps youth training pro.
Volunteers in Service to America – acts of charity around country for college moolah
Head Start – preschool for poor and disadvantaged children

5. More bills Water Quality Act – requires states to clean up rivers
Higher Education Act – scholarships and low-interest loans for college students
Traffic & Motor Vehicle Safety Act – Federal standards for cars and tires
Truth in Packaging Act – set standards for labeling products
Department of Housing and Urban Dev. – center to help poor people get housing
Head Start – Funding for poor kids to get them enrolled in preschool.

6. Impact of Great Society
Millions of people rose out of poverty
% of people below poverty line dropped from 20 to 12 between
Tax cut spurred economic development
Massive spending leads to deficit that we still have today
Conservative backlash across U.S.
Vietnam looming in the background

7. 1964 Election Ran against conservative Barry Goldwater, Sen. From AZ
“In your heart, you know he’s right”
“In your guts, you know he’s nuts”
Daisy Commercial – Political commercial showing how weak BG is toward Nukes

8. Assignment
Find four different “Great Society” acts passed by congress and signed by the president that became laws.
Title of act or program
When did the act or program become law
What was the aim or objective of the act or program
What difference did it make in our society