The New Frontier and The Great Society

John Kennedy- Lyndon Johnson Social Programs of the 1960s

Kennedy’s “New Frontier” Sophisticated sense of economics Emphasis on social welfare programs Directions in CW politics and develop Space Program

Increased aid for education Medical care for elderly Increase in minimum wage Urban reforms Civil rights reforms End to poverty Major tax cuts

Background to Great Society New Deal-like policies aimed at ending poverty & transforming

American way of life Influenced by The Other America (Harrington)

20% of America lives in poverty, 40% for African-Americans Civil Rights Act--1964

Law barred discrimination in public accommodations It authorized the Justice Dept. to prosecute discrimination

against women and minorities Guaranteed equal opportunities in the workplace

More Great Society Background

Voting Rights Act (1965) Conditions in Selma, AL

15000 eligible voters; only 335 allowed to register Provisions

Eliminated barriers to registration: Poll Taxes Literacy Tests

“Black Power” Black separatists gained voice

Criticized: Non-violent techniques Goal of integration

Malcolm X Blacks should solve problems without whites

Stokely Carmichael (SNCC) Called for expulsion of whites from black civil

rights organizations

The Black Power Movement:

Blacks should do things for themselves rather than rely on the charity of White politicians.

Blacks should defend themselves and fight back if necessary.

Blacks should develop and emphasize pride in their own culture.

Called for: Black Political Parties Black-owned businesses Black cooperatives Black schools for black children

LBJ and the “Long, Hot Summers”

Mid-1960s: non-violent protests gone? 1964: Riots in Harlem and NYC 1965: Riots in Watts (LA); Malcolm X killed 1967: Dozens of riots, also Newark and Detroit 1968: MLK, Jr.assassinated; race riots nationwide

“Kerner Commission”

National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders Formed after race riots beginning in 1965 Report issued March 1, 1968

Country divided into two societies 40% of non-whites lived below poverty line Black males twice as likely to be unemployed than whites Black makes three times as likely to be in low-shill jobs

Poverty cause of crime and civil unrest “chronic poverty is the breeder of chronic chaos”

“War on Poverty”- LBJ Expanded on JFK proposals Economic Opportunity Act (1964)

Head Start- for children of low income families- health, nutrition, and education

Job Corps College work-study VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) Neighborhood Youth Corps Adult job training CAPS (Community Action Programs)

The Great Society

During campaign of 1964 LBJ vs. Goldwater, LBJ wins ‘Daisy Girl’ ad turning point in T.V’s influence on

politics Central Themes

Abundance and liberty for all End to poverty End to racial injustice

Programs enacted by the 89th Congress

Great Society Programs

Introduced Medicare (elderly)/ Medicaid (poor) programs

Passed Elementary and Secondary Education Act What did this do?

Formed Housing and Urban Development What is the responsibility of HUD?

Clean air and water regulations National Endowment for Arts and Humanities

VISTA Volunteers in Service to America

A full time volunteer program Committed to increasing the capability of low-income

people to improve the conditions of their lives Caption:

“Wanted: Lawyers for the Poor” Quotation:

“The poor man is cut off from this society and from the protection of its laws. We make him a functional outlaw.”

Those with law degrees could join to bring legal aid to the poor

“Ask not what your country can do for you…”

“If you’re not a part of the solution, you’re part of the problem” Volunteers assigned to local sponsors

Local public agencies Private nonprofit organizations In all 50 states, Puerto Rico, DC, or Virgin Islands

Fields: Education Runaway youth Low-income senior citizens Economic development

The Peace Corps The Program:

Provides opportunities for skilled Americans to serve in developing nations

Tours last approximately two years Most volunteers work in educational and

community development programs The Purpose:

To give help where needed To promote a better understanding of the U.S.

abroad To sharpen America’s image of other people

Office of Economic Opportunity

Created by LBJ (1964) Part of the “War on Poverty”

Included ten separate programs: Job Corps, VISTA, work training programs, work-

study programs, and small business incentives Native American Programs

Youth Development Program

Funded by Economic Opportunity Act (1964) Program Specifics:

Work with peers to learn construction skills Goal: make youth more employable

Head Start Wants You!

Child development program—preschool children of low socioeconomic communities: Comprehensive educational and social services Emphasizes parent involvement Provides health services

The Job Corps Helped young people ages 16—21 secure a better job Help disadvantaged young people prepare for jobs and

responsible citizenship Enrollees received:

Room and board Clothing for work, books, supplies Cash allowance Two years of training Job placement assistance

Target demographic: Unemployed youth who are out of school Those from slum areas or impoverished rural areas Those who needed change in environment to develop talents

Immigration Reform

Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 Ended quota system of the 1920’s Doubled amount of immigrants per year Effect- more Asian and Latino immigrants

Summary:

What were the basic aims of the Kennedy-Johnson social programs? Defend underprivileged Extend civil rights opportunities Provide vocational training

Were the programs successful?