LBJ and the Great Society

Taking the presidency after JFK’s assassination, LBJ was immediately

confronted with an explosion of violence over Civil Rights, the need to engage more troops into Vietnam,

and a need to improve conditions throughout American society.

Johnson’s Background

• Experience as long-running conservative, Southern Democrat from Texas

• Known for building coalitions by strong-arm, handshake, drinks, and backslaps

• Immediately sworn in as president

• Continued JFK’s social and domestic programs

The Great Society• LBJ’s political experience helped

push many bills through Congress

• Firmly committed to social action• Declared a “War on Poverty”

– Started Economic Opportunity Act to coordinate economic recovery

– Neighborhood Youth Corp: Helped youth graduate and get jobs

– Job Corps: Provide job training and placement for inner-cities

– VISTA (Volunteer Service to America): Domestic Peace Corps

Creating a More Equitable Society

• Medicare (1965): Comprehensive health coverage for the elderly

• Medicaid (1965): Comprehensive medical insurance for low-income families

Education and Environment

• Project Head Start (1965): Fund preschool programs for low-income families

• The Water Quality Act and The Clean Air Act (1965): Increase regulations on industrial pollution

Civil Rights

• The Civil Rights Act of 1964: Banned discrimination of ANY kind

• The Voting Rights Act of 1965: Ensured voting rights to black Americans

• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: Barred discrimination based on race OR gender in the workplace

Lyndon Johnson’s Legacy• Provided “entitlement funds”--out of the federal

budget to disadvantaged groups• Skyrocketed federal budget, causing stress on

programs• LBJ distracted by other domestic and foreign

policy issues– Vietnam– Social Protest

• Anti-War• Free Speech• Feminism• Hippies/Free Drug Movement• Civil Rights