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Johnson and “The Great Society”. Maddy H eitman Kevin Bargetto Hannah Michelson. Outline. Background The Great S ociety Economic Opportunity Act Medicare Appalachian Regional Development Act Civil Rights. Key terms. Civil Rights Act Voting Right Act
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Johnson and “The Great Society” Maddy Heitman Kevin Bargetto Hannah Michelson
Outline • Background • The Great Society • Economic Opportunity Act • Medicare • Appalachian Regional Development Act • Civil Rights
Key terms • Civil Rights Act • Voting Right Act • Appalachian Regional Development Act • Economic Opportunity Act • The Great Society
Background • Lyndon B. Johnson was born in Stonewall, Texas in a small farmhouse to a poor family • Served as a United States Representative from 1937–1949 and as a Senator from 1949–1961 • Was JFK’s vice president • Took over as president in 1963 • Won the 1964 presidential election with ease
The Great Society • Was his reform program • Wanted to spread benefits of prosperity and eliminate poverty • Vowed to secure the measures Kennedy sought
Economic Opportunity Act • The EOA was passed in August, 1964 • Established the Head Start program • Secured employment for inner city youths • Set up a domestic version of the Peace Corps known as VISTA
Medicare • Signed on July 30, 1965 • Health insurance program for elderly Americans • Harry S. Truman was enrolled as Medicare's first beneficiary. • Johnson wanted to recognize Truman
Appalachian Regional Development Act • Billions of dollars were channeled into housing reform through rent subsidies for low-income families and the “model cities” • In 1964, the President’s Appalachian Regional Commission (PARC) reported to Congress that economic growth in the Appalachian’s would not be possible until the region’s isolation had been overcome. • As a result, Congress authorized the construction of the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) • The ADHS was designed to generate economic development, supplement the interstate system, and provide access to areas within the Region
Civil Rights • Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended segregation in public accommodations and created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission • Poll taxes and literacy tests were removed • This lead to more violence and racism towards African Americans