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The Great Society: Big Idea

Explore the expansion of JFK's agenda under Lyndon B. Johnson's presidency and the significance of symbolism in U.S. history. Delve into the key events and programs of the Great Society.

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The Great Society: Big Idea

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  1. The Great Society: Big Idea Lyndon B Johnson (LBJ) was JFK’s VP & took over as president. He greatly expanded JFK’s agenda with programs in many areas.

  2. What do YOU see?What do you think is happening in these photos?How significant is SYMBOLISM in U.S. history?

  3. What do YOU see?What do you think is happening in these photos?How significant is SYMBOLISM in U.S. history? LBJ signs education acts in a 1-room school house LBJ signs immigration act in the shadow of Lady Liberty LBJ civil rights act in room where Lincoln wrote anti-racist legislation

  4. JFK is Dead • 12pm November 22 1963 – JFK is shot in Dallas • 1pm – he is publically pronounced dead • 2:38pm – VP Lyndon B. Johnson is signed into office as the new president of America • Took the oath of office in the cabin of Air Force One with Jackie & his wife Lady Bird

  5. “The ideas & ideals that Kennedy so nobly represented must & will be translated into effective action… his death commands what his life conveyed – that America must move forward” --LBJ

  6. LBJ JFK • Young & charming • Society man • Soft image • Approachable • Laid back • Massachusetts • 6yrs of Congressional experience • 46 when he died • Criticism: weak & inexperienced • …not quite • Direct & assertive • Rough around the edges • Texas • 26yrs of Congressional experience • 55 when he became president • Criticism: aggressive & manipulative

  7. What Made Him Successful LBJ’s belief in achieving consensus: general agreementamong people. His ability to build coalitions via arguing, debating, threatening, twisting arms, doing favors, etc… made him a very effective & powerful Senate leader

  8. The New President’s Agenda: • 1. Address the problem of racial segregation • 2. Improve the educational system • 3. Eliminate poverty nationally • Belief: the nation’s economy could be prosperous permanently with a gov’t-run antipoverty program

  9. The Suburbs Were Prosperous • New roads • New cars • New business & shopping centers

  10. Other Areas Were Not! • City slums, rural areas, deep south • Native American reservations • Poor, ill-fed, ill-housed, ill-educated • 50,000,000 people in the country • Michael Harrington writes The Other America

  11. LBJ Knew Hard Times • Poor childhood • Briefly taught in low-income areas • The war on poverty – the new priority “Unfortunately, many Americans live on the outskirts of hope, some because of their poverty & some because of their color & all too many because of both. I believe deeply in social action. A wealthy, powerful government could & SHOULD try to improve the lives of its citizens. Let’s attack poverty!”

  12. The Election of 1964 • LBJ (D) vs. Barry Goldwater (R) • LBJ had been KILLING IT with relief programs • Goldwater was seen by many as an aggressive extremist • This frightened people in a time of nuclear war • LBJ wins by a landslide (all but 6 states) “For the first time in my life I truly feel loved by the American people” - LBJ

  13. The Great Society: Johnson’s vision of the more perfect society the U.S. should become • Inspired by FDR’s New Deal policy • Focused on 4 things: • 1. Health & welfare • 2. Education • 3. War on poverty • 4. Consumer/environmental protection

  14. Melting Pot! Immigration Reform Act of 1965: eliminated trends of the 1920s favoring N. European immigrants. Opened the door to U.S. immigration from Europe, Asia & Africa

  15. Overall… • Brought benefits to poor communities & minority groups • The president brought a refreshing level of excitement for making societies better for ALL Americans “The walls of the ghettos are not going to topple overnight, nor is it possible to wipe out the heritage of generations of social, economic, & educational deprivation by the stroke of a Presidential pen” - LBJ

  16. What’s a Memory Device? ** PEMDAS is an example for one you might use in math GREAT SOCIETY AGENCIES DO IT RIGHT! THESE ARE YOUR GREAT SOCIETY PROGRAMS NOTES! • Grab a sheet • Put your name on your sheet • Grab YOUR book • Find the match for each box • Fill in the content for each box COMPLETELY • MIND YOUR TIME! You have the class to do this, anything left over is HW!

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