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LBJ & THE GREAT SOCIETY

LBJ & THE GREAT SOCIETY. Lyndon Johnson succeeded JFK as president & greatly expanded Kennedy ’ s agenda with far-reaching programs in many areas. JOHNSON TAKES THE REINS.

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LBJ & THE GREAT SOCIETY

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  1. LBJ & THE GREAT SOCIETY Lyndon Johnson succeeded JFK as president & greatly expanded Kennedy’s agenda with far-reaching programs in many areas.

  2. JOHNSON TAKES THE REINS • Johnson, a Texan, spoke directly & roughly at times & his ability to build coalitions made him one of the most effective & powerful leaders in Senate history. • Johnson Treatment = The treatment was Johnson’s way of persuading others to agree with him. His reputation for getting things done involved doing favors, twisting arms, bargaining, flattering, & sometimes threatening • The election of 1964 had Johnson running against Republican candidate Barry Goldwater. Americans were not ready for Goldwater’s aggressive message, & LBJ won in a landslide. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDTBnsqxZ3k

  3. WAR ON POVERTY • Lyndon Johnson took office when away from the nation’s affluent suburbs were some 50 million poor  JFK & LBJ made the elimination of poverty a major policy goal • Johnson declared that his administration was waging an unconditional war on poverty in America. • (1964) Congress created the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), which focused on creating jobs & fighting poverty. • Johnson promised a Great Society during his campaign = vision of a more perfect, more equitable society.

  4. THE GREAT SOCIETY MEDICARE/MEDICAID EDUCATION Johnson’s interest in education led to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act & to the preschool program Project Head Start, which was administered to disadvantaged children. Upward Bound provided college preparation for low-income teenagers VISTA put young people to work in poor school districts. • 1965-1968, over 60 programs were passed, including Medicare & Medicaid. • Medicare = a health insurance program for the elderly funded through Social Security. • Medicaid = financed health care for those on welfare or living below the poverty line.

  5. THE GREAT SOCIETY INNER CITIES IMMIGRATION Immigration Reform Act of 1965 played a key role in changing the composition of the American population. Kept a strict limit on # of immigrants admitted to the U.S. each year Eliminated the national origins system, which gave preference to northern European immigrants. Immigrants arrived in the U.S. from all parts of Europe & from Asia & Africa. • LBJ urged Congress to act on legislation dealing with the deterioration of inner cities  creates the Department of Housing and Urban Development in 1965 • “Model Cities” = a broad-based program with matching funds from local & state agencies, supported programs in the areas of transportation, health care, housing, & policing.

  6. LEGACY OF THE GREAT SOCIETY • The impact of the Great Society was felt by all aspects of American life & improved many lives. • Some Americans opposed the massive growth of federal funds & criticized the Great Society for intruding too much in their lives. • What remains of the Great Society today? Programs like Medicare & Medicaid, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, & Project Head Start.

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