The Great Society

1. The Great Society Chapter 20 Sections 3

2. LBJ’s path to power • Mentored by fdr as congressman • Wins senate seat in 1948 • 1955 – senate majority leader • “Lbj treatment” - combination of physical intimidation and coercion, and it was one of his most effective tools http://jackbrummet.blogspot.com/2011/02/johnson-treatment-lbjs-version-of.html

3. Lbj’s path to power • Gets 1957 civil rights act passed – voting rights measure • Lbj selected as vice president to help kennedy win southern states

4. The war on poverty • In his 1964 State of the Union message, President Johnson announced, “This administration today . . . declares unconditional war on poverty,” • and he declared that only “total victory” would suffice. the United States, already a “rich society,” Johnson observed, had the opportunity to move “upward to the Great Society.” • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3AuStymweQYoutube video of LBJ’s “War on poverty” speech. 3:03 Runtime. Watch it. 1. How does he say the US will win the “war?” 2. Have you heard this recently? 3. By whom? (This is a 6 point assignment due tomorrow.)

5. The war on poverty • Tax cuts – 1964: Spurs economic growth, cuts deficit • Civil rights act – 1964: prohibits racial discrimination; provides penalties • Economic opportunity act – education, training, small business loans • Community action programs, VISTA, Job Corps, head start

6. The 1964 election • Senator barrygoldwater –republican nominee • Goldwater - championed smaller government, states’ rights , & stronger front against communism than Johnson. • A World War II veteran and officer in the air force reserve, goldwater viewed combat in Vietnam as a clear-cut prospect: if the United States committed troops to Vietnam, it should do so intending to win and using any force necessary, including nuclear weapons. • Johnson campaign commercial (Ran only 1 time. Public outcry against it.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDTBnsqxZ3k

7. The 1964 election • Johnson runs many attack ads in his campaign making goldwater look like warmonger. • LBJ pledges to not send U.S. troops to vietnam. Wins race by landslide. • Democrats have large majority in congress and hold it throughout lbj’s presidency. (see Congress under LBJ slide)

8. 1964 election at a glance Electoral college President Johnson Barry Goldwater States carried by Johnson: 44 + DC Johnson won 486 of 538 electoral votes Johnson ran on no war in vietnam but instead a “War on poverty” policy Ran on smaller government, states rights and if enter war, fight to win.

9. Congress under lbj Veto proof majority 1963-67 Veto proof majority 1965-67

10. Lbj – shades of fdr • Congress passes 206 of johnson’s bills – Great Society intitiative • Education - Elementary & secondary Education act – provided funding for public education (in addition to what each state already provided]. • Healthcare – Medicaid: health insurance for welfare recipients & Medicare: low cost medical, hospital insurance for senior citizens. • Housing – dept. of housing & urban development established; taxpayer money set aside for public housing; low to medium income families • Immigration - No more quotas based on national origin – immigration act of 1965

11. Lbj – shades of fdr (cont) • Environment: Silent spring by rachelcarson, a well known nature writer, touts dangers of pesiticides, ending use of DDT nearly worldwide. • Over time Many reputable scientists have found multiple errors in her thesis, including members of the Sierra Club and the Audubon Society. • Water quality Act of 1965 – water pollution prevention of rivers. • Consumer protection – sets laws for labeling products, auto safety and food safety standards. Ralph Nader publishes Unsafe at any speed, testifies in congress about car safety. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibo6i_2XflE Runtime 1:45. Corvairs were found to be unsafe (rear engine cars).

12. Warren Court • US Supreme court justice earl warren’s court • Appointed to court in 1953 by president eisenhower • Brown v. Board of education (1954) – public school desegregation • Reynolds v. sims (1964) – congressional reapportionment; districts must be equal in population • Miranda v. Arizona (1966) – Miranda warning

13. Warren court (cont) • Expands rights of those accused of crimes: • Illegally seized evidence not allowed at trial • Right to fair trial • Some Americans like warren court rulings, others think it harms police & lets guilty get away with crime

14. Impact of the great society • Since WW II,LBJ expands presidential power more than any other president in history. • Massive tax cuts spur economic growth, but government costs of great society programs raises deficit spending • Huge debate to this day over effectiveness of programs, and whether federal government should be involved in some areas, particularly education (not mentioned in US constitution – considered a state power).